Dismay may be a valid response to much of 2021, a year when the U.S. saw more than 54 million cases of COVID-19 and more than 800,000 deaths from it — so many of them preventable. Many of us also have struggled with dark visions of the future of democracy, assuming we have a planet left on which to practice it.
But today a shiny new year beckons, so this is no time for existential dread or self-pity. (On that pungent topic, American cartoonist Dick Guindon notes, “You shouldn't wallow in self-pity. But it's OK to put your feet in it and swish them around a little.”)
As the gifted Stephen Sondheim reminds us in his song, “I’m here,” survival is triumph, and a reason for joy. Photos snapped with my phone captured many happy moments from 2021, and I’m sharing them here.
JANUARY
As a longtime sunset aficionado, I am so happy to have a 13th-floor apartment that faces due West so I can indulge in my harmless hobby every day.
FEBRUARY
MARCH
I grew up eating rainbow trout that Daddy caught in Arkansas' White River. Now I head to the Sausalito marina often, to feast on trout at Fish. I always mean to order something else — but I never do.
APRIL
I also grew up reading everything I could find about Josephine Baker, and when the de Young Museum (https://deyoung.famsf.org/) in Golden Gate Park featured an exhibit on Alexander Calder, I ran right over to see this, one of several sculptures he did of Baker. Sexy!
MAY
During a visit to Filoli Gardens (
https://filoli.org/) in May, ginkgo trees were for sale in the gift shop! I often sit next to my tree and tell it the history of this magnificent species.
JUNE
Even the Tyrannosaurus rex (or what remains of it) at the California Academy of Sciences (
www.calacademy.org/) wears a mask indoors! And why not? Whatever it takes to keep us safe!
JULY
Got to cheer on "Late Night LaMonte" Wade at Oracle Park with the family one beautiful July afternoon! He saved a lot of night games with walk-off hits for the Giants.
AUGUST
Headed to Moss Landing with my friend Julia for a whale-watch trip! Been at this for 40 years now. (I. Am. Old.) Always love time on the ocean! And if you don't already follow my Facebook posts on Whaleopedia (
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063957405764) about all things whale, dolphin and porpoise, start today. Kids especially love my Wednesday Whale Fact.
SEPTEMBER
Judy, my friend for 48 years (!) came to visit, and we dropped in on Yoda, who dispenses wisdom outside Lucasfilms Headquarters in the Presidio. Then, wisely (it was a nippy day), we ducked into the nearby coffee shop.
OCTOBER
For 19 months (the gestation period for a baby elephant), my beloved warm-water pool at the JCC was closed due to COVID-19 and then installation of a new dehumidifier. When the pool reopened in October, I was often one of just two or three people in it! Water is my natural element, and I sorely miss it when I'm not there.
NOVEMBER
After sharing its pot with a bunch of California poppies, the ginkgo tree seemed to be rethinking its life on the balcony. The leaves turned crunchy brown and dropped — every last one. "We'll see what happens in a couple of months," I told The Boy. One day in October I noticed new growth, and within 30 days, the tree was celebrating spring. In November. Fine with me!
DECEMBER
Aren't surprises just the best? Early in December, this beauty showed up in the mail, a gift from my friend (and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer) J.B. Forbes. The shimmery, bejeweled ornament reminded him of me, he said! I'm in awe.
ON TO 2022
I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions, but if I did, this year's would be Stop Saving Anything. Many of us save new clothes, new bed linens, new slippers, new towels, new everything (undies, even!) — and FOR WHAT????
My longtime mantra has been, and remains:
DON'T POSTPONE JOY!
I am reminded of this every time I want to call Steve Woolf, who died in July after a very short and not particularly fulfilling retirement. He was happy the last time we spoke, home from the hospital, feeling better, looking forward to better days ahead. That was just three days before his journey on this planet ended. I miss him.
Make sure you find some joy today, call people you miss, watch the sun set and carry on.
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