Years ending with the number three have always been ones of change and this year was no different.
Probably the biggest change was having to leave a local book group that I'd belonged to for 16 years, after the new manager continued to use a table set-up during meetings which made it near impossible for me to hear the other attendees. Written and verbal complaints, even pointing out that she was violating the American With Disabilities Act, were useless and her superiors supported her actions. And then other members of the group, some of whom I thought were friends, made nasty remarks about my handicap, which made me feel as if I had received a one-two punch. It was betrayal and discrimination together, which took awhile to deal with, long after leaving the group. I've since found another book group at a closer library, but it always takes me so long to get to know people, so I still feel rather awkward, though I'm trying to be friendly.
Other upsetting events was the death of a good friend, Joan, in June. She had been sick for several years and deteriorating, so it was merciful, but I still feel her absence keenly. She was one of those people who had a positive influence on everyone who knew her. And at the end of August I began having panic/anxiety attacks again, after an absence of years and they were worse than I've had in decades. In the less serious category, my favorite character on both "Downton Abbey" and "Boardwalk Empire" were killed off. I shall continue to watch those TV programs, but their absence will leave a gap in my enjoyment of them.
There was some good news. I sold more art than last year and finally had a solo show at Avon lake library, which has been a goal for years. It was a beautiful setting and I even sold a painting, (the fox at the top of this post). Two of my pictures were judged into the Westlake-Westshore Show in a nearby suburb and I did well at all of the craft shows I participated in. I read 161 books, 59 of them on my Nook ereader and reviewed many of them on Vulpes Libris . My sister and I were part of a group tour of the beautiful sanctuary of a local Byzantine church at a festival this summer and we also saw a terrific exhibit about architect Charles Sweinfurth, who designed many of Cleveland's most distinctive buildings and houses during the region's expansive Victorian era.
So while not an exciting year, there was enough good to balance the sadness. But as humans always do, I am hoping next year will be better.