Despite a *rocky end, we did have a pretty amazing year. We went on two exotic vacations, first to Hawaii to visit Chris and Carol, then to Mexico to celebrate the wedding of Dan and Aly. We spent some good times at Ben’s cabin, though this will be our last year there, as he has now sold it to some other lucky soul.

Huck turned 14, achieved his Brown Belt in Kung Fu and started high school at Summit Sierra, a charter school in the International District. He is no longer our boy but our young man, weathering the recent stresses of our relationship with grace, emotional intelligence, and a report card that is the best one he has ever received- all A’s and one B+. His current obsession with the WW1 German military (pre-Nazi, folks, important to remember) has him teaching himself the German language in addition to the Spanish he has to learn at school. He is snowboarding with Morgan as I write this, having apparently reached a new level of skill and ease on the slopes. All of this makes up for the absolutely typical teenage attitude we get treated to with regularity, monosyllabic responses and all.

Though I have not posted about house progress recently, progress is being made. Morgan has been working on wiring, installing light fixtures and switches, and as of December 30th, doorbells for front and back doors! “Ringing in the new year”, get it?

*Last year Morgan and I took a series of classes with Sarah MacLean Bicknell, four workshops, one for each of the cardinal directions, as a way of walking the path of intention. The best way I can describe it is to say that sometimes our linear thinking gets in the way of actual growth and progress, and that these workshops were an opportunity to drop into a deeper sense of self in relationship to the soul’s journey. For me it was a way to develop larger listening skills, get out of my own way, become more present so I can do what I am here to do and not just bide my life-time. I don’t know what specifically Morgan was hoping to get from it, but what we both got was movement in places that were terribly stuck, and when the pressure from those stuck places released, chaos ensued. Chaos is a place of huge learning– difficult, exhausting, ultimately rewarding if you can receive the learning and integrate it. At present the chaos has subsided and now we work to integrate, to cultivate “beginners mind”, to move where movement is needed, all with a deep and abiding love and appreciation for the humanity of the other.

As we say goodbye to 2018, I am filled with gratitude. I am grateful for the love and support of friends and family, for heat in our home and a flushing toilet, for meaningful work, clean water, healthy food, for an unlimited capacity to grow and learn. I look forward to whatever the new year will bring with an eye to staying adaptable and resilient, to connecting with people I love, and a sincere hope for some positive change for the planet. Love to you all!