A 70+ year bucket list adventure was fulfilled!
Hubs and I added a first to our (almost) 40 years of marriage.
Witnessing a live space launch at Cape Canaveral!
This has been a dream of mine since I wrote this poem (?) when I was eight years old.
“When I was a little girl like you, I went up in Sputnik # 2”
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, I’m not.
I realize I’m giving away my advanced age with the mention of Sputnik. (You youngsters need to google)
However, thanks to a timely visit with my BFF on our (almost) mutual birthdays, and thanks to her dear friend for inviting us to view the launch at his high-rise condo on the Atlantic, not far from Coco Beach, we had the adventure of a lifetime. Not only did we see a Space-X rocket blast off, we got to see it return to the launch pad!
In April, 2023, thanks to the fabulous group of angels at Releash Atlanta, we added sweet little Murphy to our family. A Bichon/poodle mix, he never ceases to make us laugh. He’s the silliest, yet most loving furkid we could hope for.
As you can see, he’s settled in quite nicely without a care in the world, or a shred of dignity. Ha!
May brought a special gift! Our THIRD GREAT-GRANDSON!
Malachai Walter Scott Owens
Summer brought the usual complaints from yours truly:
- HEAT
- MOSQUITOS
- LAST YEAR’S BATHING SUIT TRY-ON
- MY ATROCIOUS GOLF GAME
Also during the heat of summer, our 18-year-old fridge went on the fritz. Ken had installed new parts three times, but this time the diagnosis was fatal. Off we went to buy a new one. Ugh!
Meanwhile, I loaded a large rolling cooler filled with frozen food and made several trips to our kind neighbors to utilize their spare freezer. This was on a Friday. The new fridge was delivered on Monday! Yay! After a cooling period and several more trips back to the neighbors’, we were finally able to load all the frozen food and the perishables into our new, modern, French door refrigerator. All was right with the world…until the next morning.
The new refrigerator wasn’t cooling. Back to the store to buy a new one. Back to the neighbors with all the frozen food. Two days later, we finally had a working appliance and (fingers crossed), it will continue to run.
That, some unexpected doctor and dental bills, and, of course, inflation, hit hard. I know…I’m preaching to the choir.
All-in-all, the year was good to us. We were blessed with (mostly) good health, and lots of great neighborhood get-togethers. To our great relief, a couple of family issues were mended along the way. And, in November, we had a fabulous visit with our oldest daughter, Stephanie, for Thanksgiving. She also gave us fresh haircuts!
I can’t leave without some Book News!
I’m excited to announce I’m in the process of writing the 3rd Andi Anna Jones Mystery Series book! Bedlam, Brew & Bloodshed is in the works. Andi has taken her sleuthing skills, and inevitable ability to find trouble, to the beautiful city of Savannah, GA!
Ancient stolen relics, secret tunnels, and maybe a pirate, or two, could make an appearance. Throw in some shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles, and sweet potato pie, and what more is there?
I’ll keep you in the loop as to when the new book will be available. In the meantime, don’t forget to read the first two, if you haven’t already. If you have, please consider writing a review on Amazon, or just post a rating!
Authors appreciate that, ya know.
Download or buy the paperback:
Andi Anna Jones Mysteries from your favorite online retailer.
https://books2read.com/u/mezYvg
To sum up 2023, I have no complaints. I’m still here, still writing, and still having loads of fun communicating with y’all! Hope you feel the same! If not, the unsubscribe button is below.
‘Til next time, stay safe, enjoy life, and keep your pets warm and cozy!
Here’s to a fabulous, peaceful 2024!
Mary Cunningham, Author 