Well, here we are at the end of an “unprecedented” year. (I am so sick of that word now.)
And while there of course, have been challenges, I really can’t complain. Both Dave and I were able to keep our jobs. And while my pay was cut for a while, and Dave’s hours were (and are still) reduced, we still managed to pay off a couple of debts, and our finances are in better shape than they were at the start of the year. If that’s the only thing 2020 brought, I would have been happy.
But 2020 brought lots of others smiles. You’ve already seen my knitting and quilting retrospectives, but 2020 brought a lot more!
After the first lockdown, and before the second wave, Mom and I were able to get north and spend a lovely summer day with our girls.

In September Dave and I got all gussied up

And took the fancy car out to celebrate true love with his uncle and new bride.

There wasn’t much more traveling than that, but I had plenty to keep me occupied at home.
I merely had to step outside my door to experience a beautiful world
My gardens, and all the critters that inhabited them, kept me plenty busy
And let’s not forget my adventure with the swallowtail caterpillars…
Even if it didn’t have a happy ending.
And then, of course, there’s been hours of entertainment with Squirrelington’s!
And while we said goodbye to our gorgeous Torti princess in November.

She hung on for 11 long months and went peacefully in the end. And we still have Los Trios Diablos to keep our spirits up
Did 2020 turn out how I expected? Absolutely not. But overall there was more good than bad, and that’s the most I ask of any year.
So now we move into 2021 with hope. Because if 2020 taught us anything this, it’s that anything can happen.
Thank you SO MUCH for the lovely pictures. Traveling through the flowers was such a great way to spend this last day of this not-great year. And the cats! I’ll return to this post whenever I need a boost of comfort and good cheer. Thank you!
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What a great and welcome post Val. I so agree with you – there was plenty of good in 2020 and I’m just so tired of everyone only focusing on the bad and the ugly. Life is way too short to focus on that! Cheers to 2021 – Happy New Year!
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Val, I always look forward to reading Wandering Cat. Your photos, your gardens and our love of crafts are all such gifts to me. Thanks
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How do you get your photos into montages like that?
Anyhow, they are beautiful, and it’s been a trying year, but we’ll come out of it stronger than before.
Happy New Year!
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Love this post! Despite the uncertainty and isolation, I also had a good year. Happy New Year to you and Dave.
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Happy New Year to you and Dave! What a treat it was to scroll thru your photos. So nice to see the good that was present thruout the year.
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Amazing photos of all the flowers, truly gorgeous.
Wishing you and all your family a very happy and peaceful New Year, Jillxx
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Love your perspective! It was a good year, with a very bad evil over our heads, but not something that negated all the good.
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So true. It wasn’t all bad. There is a lot to like about isolation actually. I did get to welcome a new Grand so I have a lot to be thankful for.
Happy New Year!
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I love that photo of Dave and his Uncle.
2021 — bring it on. We are ready for almost anything and if 2020 taught us anything, we are a resourceful bunch of crafters.
Wishing you and Dave a very happy new year. Looking forward to 2021 and seeing what the fur-bunch gets up to.
Hugs,
D
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What a great post! Your photos are lovely and your words AND photos are a great reminder that this year hasn’t been all bad. In fact, I’m such a homebody that staying home didn’t bother me so much as not being able to see family. That was hard. I am happy. I am blessed beyond what I deserve. Thanks for the reminder. Happy New Year to you and Dave.
Blessings,
Betsy
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What a great recap!!!! Love the attitude and your year in review!
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