Christmas card for 2009: Canning tomatoes, eating beets

I am repurposing the Christmas card messages I've written since 2001. From old Christmas cards to new blog posts. One a day. Merry Christmas.

I am pleased to report several “firsts” I had this year. Naturally it was necessary to have some rules for what can be counted as a first.

Rule #1: Places (eg, town or store or museum) do not count as firsts. Thus, I’m not counting Indianapolis, Yosemite, the Boston Museum of Arts, or Nantucket Island. Except countries do count. So I can report the Dominican Republic as a first. Unfortunately, another first was being so sick that I didn’t eat or drink for two of the three days we were there, but I can’t count that (see Rule #3).

Rule #2: Acquiring something for the first time doesn’t count. It would just be silly to count my new wireless keyboard or the fabulous pleated purple skirt I found at Linda’s church garage sale—er, sanctuary sale. However, really, really life-changing acquisitions, like our new, huge, red washer and dryer, are exceptions to Rule #2.

Rule #3: New illnesses or injuries don’t count, as we don’t want to dwell on negative things, do we? Ditto new ways of damaging the car or new categories of speeding and parking violations incurred.

There. Now the report.

Marian’s 2009 firsts

• I canned tomatoes. Two pint jars may not seem like anything to brag about to you, but I was very proud. The tomatoes came from my own plants.
• I ate beets. Very proud of self. I have hated beets my entire life and feel I now have a new lease on a life. Who knows were it could lead. Next year, maybe spinach. 
• I rode the ferry across Lake Michigan. I know, this is verging on not counting, under Rule #1. But I grew up in Michigan, and the ferry from Ludington to Milwaukee is iconic to me. So this was an important first for me and I’m counting it, even though I didn’t take the Ludington ferry. I took the new fast ferry from Muskegon to Milwaukee.
• I started a blog. I’m just feeling my way, so far, but it’s like I can send you a Christmas card as often as I want!  http://nairamchronicles.blogspot.com

I wish all of you the very best for 2010 and send you my love.

PS. Tom made the art for the card. The background is a photo from Yosemite, and that is our cat Peat lying on the path. Also, just in case it is not obvious, the faces of the snowpeople really ARE photos of Tom and me.