The Year of the Bunny Cake

 

I read the historian Heather Cox Richardson every morning--the Substack posts she does for the previous day.  She was far more optimistic in her year end post than she was last year.  I would like to be more optimistic too. At least this year I feel like writing an end of year post.  Last year I waited until January 1 to do so because I was not up to it the night before.

So why do I want to call it "The Year of the Bunny Cake?" With the help of two grandchildren, I made a bunny cake for our family Easter celebration. Since then, every time our precious three year old grandson sees me, he asks if I brought a bunny cake.  I did do so one more time last summer but subsequently we have made a turkey cake and a Christmas tree cake.  He even mentioned "bunny cake"  when he saw me on Facetime this week.  It's his birthday celebration on Monday but I will let his parents figure out the right birthday cake for him.  But what a joy it is to have a little one who can be so happy about a small delight!   I have felt some pressure to continue a tradition that seems important! 

There is much to be thankful for today.  We are comfortable in our lovely apartment.  We see our children and grandchildren regularly--especially the ones who live here in Princeton.  Jeff and Susan have made us feel so welcome here and often include us in their family dinners or celebrations.

We have had a fairly healthy year.  I am thinking that one medical provider I have says my condition is "stable."  Another one wrote on my portal "Keep up the good work."  Hooray for that encouragement even as I wish I saw fewer doctors!  May it continue!  Sadly, however, Jim and I are both keeping our dentist in business as we have had major work done this past year and will have more next year.  Jim has had very good news from his cancer doctors.  His eyes continue to be a concern but his doctor sees nothing wrong internally.  He just wishes he could figure out why some days his vision is clear and on other days it is so hard to read.

Jim finished one major project--the RH Charles biography.  There has been lots of communication with Oxford University Press--both from Oxford itself and from India where the actual publishing is taking place.  The volume should be in his hands soon.  Jim was honored by being nominated to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and will be inducted into that illustrious group next fall.  He has been able to play golf all year and might even be able to go again next week if the mild temperatures hold. 

We have really made progress in becoming more involved at our church--Nassau Presbyterian Church.  Leading a small group for five weeks this fall in our apartment has meant that we have been able to greet many more folks at church and have been able to contribute to the life of our church.  It is good to feel less like strangers there. 

As we consider the world outside our own little world, we are still concerned about Covid and continue to wear our masks in public.  We are fully vaccinated and happy that most venues are open again--stores, libraries, walking trails, churches, and restaurants. The hospitals are coping unlike the early days of overrun emergency rooms and morgues. 

Zelensky speaks to 
Congress

 The war in Ukraine continues to take place with terrible suffering as winter comes on.  The prospect of peace is not good.  We worry about the future of the nuclear plants there and the threat of nuclear war.  Immigration and inflation are continuing difficulties for our leaders.  And when will the US ever do anything about the terrible continuing gun violence with shootings at schools and clubs and even supermarkets? The first law in years was passed to increase background checks but so much more needs to be done.

We were concerned about the November mid-term elections and the future of our democracy but many good people were elected and some extremist and unqualified people eliminated. (Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania; Hershel Walker in Georgia)  We watched every single one of the January 6 hearings and wait to see what comes of their recommendation that Donald Trump be indicted for insurrection.  A special prosecuter is working on various issues including the classified material illegally brought to Trump's home (Mar a Lago) as well as the January 6 concerns.  Other courts are looking into Trump's attempt to influence the elections in Georgia ("I just want to find 11,780 votes") and his tax issues. Trump has already announced he is running for president in 2024.  We hope other Republicans present themselves as alternatives and that the Democrats can come up with a good candidate as well.  We think Biden has done a very good job as President but wonder about the wisdom of running again at his age.  

So what will 2023 bring?  We pray for a healthy and safe year for our family and friends.  I hope there will be happy topics for blogging even as we age into our 77th year.