For us, the year 2021 was overshadowed by COVID apprehension.  So not much happened.  We completed our Pfizer vaccinations in February, wear masks in public and attempt social distancing.  Our tradition of Saturday dinners out with friend Pat Freund was replaced by takeout.  A benefit; we learned we can buy a much better bottle of wine at Costco for what we were paying in restaurants.   Outings focused on obtaining groceries, vital goods and Costco trips (and not just for wine).  This continues even after receiving our vaccine booster.  And so far, it has paid off.  We have remained virus-free.  Now, if we can only avoid winter’s common cold. 

Susan participated in Zoom sessions with a core group of friends most nights.  And as this group became vaccinated, we slowly began getting together for special occasions, usually outdoors.   These included; an annual Memorial Day celebration with friends near the town of Randle, a weekend gathering at one’s lake house, and a gathering on another’s sunny lawn on Vashon Island.  We also braved the massive crowds to attend 6 matches of our Major League Soccer team, the Sounders.  As dedicated fans, we even showed up during a 106 degree heat wave.

As we gained confidence in our vaccinations, we began hosting family.  Rich’s brother Alan and wife Tangye stayed with us twice during trips to visit their daughter Kelly.  And niece Erin, and friend Martiza, visited in November from Florida.  We were delighted that they joined us for Thanksgiving dinner, which was hosted nearby by our friend Pat and her family.

Travel was also reduced this year due to COVID concerns.   But we managed to squeeze in several day trips to Tacoma to visit Susan’s niece Sara and spouse Colin.  We also ventured across the mountains to spend 3 days in Richland with Rich’s cousin Susan and husband Murray.

Longer travels included a July visit to Indiana to see Susan’s family, including a day visiting wineries and friends.   Especially revitalizing was our 2 ½ week visit to Hawaii’s big island with Rich’s cousin Susan and husband Murray.  Here we relaxed to the sound of crashing waves and amazing sunsets.  We then extended our stay by another week on Kauai with a group of 14 friends.  We not only enjoyed their comradery, but more beautiful sunsets.  Returning home wasn’t all bad.  We still get to enjoy beautiful Renton sunsets.  But we are anxiously looking forward to again being free to roam the planet.

It was a bumper year for our dahlias.  Rich plants and digs them up.  Susan harvests the crop.  She also nurtures Christmas cacti, which bloomed both for Easter and Christmas this year.

Susan’s activities started taking on some normalcy later this year.  Her scripture study group went from Zoom sessions to in-person meetings at church in September.  And her Book Club did the same after all members were vaccinated.  She is looking forward to when her Children’s Guild, of which she is secretary, migrates from Zoom to regular in-home meetings.  Next year, she plans to become involved with a St. Vincent de Paul group that conducts home visits to qualify people for financial assistance.  Mid-year, her left hip became increasingly painful, and ultimately prevented her daily walks in the park.  After multiple PT sessions and cortisone shots in her hip, she has scheduled hip replacement for mid-January.

Rich put the final touches on our kitchen remodel in January, concluding a project that started last October.  As weather warmed, he had a decaying retaining wall replaced and our lawn reseeded.  Rich had planned to replace the last weathered section of siding on our house in May, but COVID made the needed lumber unavailable until October (and more expensive) .  Our contractor finished the installation on one of our last sunny days.  By then, it was too late in the year to complete the exterior paint job started last year.  As weather moved towards winter, Rich moved inside and prepared his antique Camero for sale.  It should be listed next Spring.

Rich gained notoriety when his picture filled the front cover of an insert in our local paper.    By chance, we were visiting a wine tasting room being featured in the magazine.  A case of being in the right place at the right time.

Another unique year has come and almost gone.

We hope each of you continues to be safe, healthy and blessed. 

Rich and Susan