It is the evening of January 2, 2021 as I write this post.

I drowned my “despair in humanity (mostly US humanity) sorrows” in enjoying being outside with Auggie and Emmett … particularly with a day before New Year’s Eve day snowfall … as well as with continued enjoyment of VendeeGlobe 2020 and immersion in the stellar behavior of all involved in that event…

Like many, I looked to 2021 as a respite from 2020, although I knew that virus and political stuff would likely not resolve in the year … still, there was hope!

And on the home front, I have a number of projects that provide personal joy.

Do you sense a “but” coming?

Yes, well. A few glitches to the start of my 2021: primary computer failure, Jeep start failure … WHAT??? I had expectations of a glitch-free 2021 :)

Anyway, not major really, but …

Computer. I did what I could. Next week, I will pursue professional assistance, but in the meantime, I spent the better part of 2 days and have another good day to go to get my backup computer up to speed. And I am ordering a new computer … that was in the cards for sometime 2021 but I didn’t anticipate quite this early … oh, well. Once all shakes out, at least one of the computers will be sold.

The Jeep … the JEEP!! Ultimately, minor …. I think. I think battery and I have a service call for Monday 1/4. But, the irony [to me] was that I was headed to the hardware to get something that was my last ditch effort for my computer and then the Jeep made a “clicky-clicky-clicky” noise when I tried to start it. I had some long lost memory about starting with the gas pedal to the floor (Jeep is manual transmission, so this is clutch in) and HOO-RAH … a few chugs and Jeeper started, but stalled at idle. Retries and run with pedal to the metal and finally it was ok at idle.

I phoned neighbor Mike to discuss. (Mike and his wife, Nancy are car buffs and if I remember the story correctly, they fell in love scooting under race cars … something like that … over 30 years ago :) )

Back to subject. I initially wondered about the starter based on some history, but Mike thought battery and since the Jeep idled fine while I stood in the driveway speaking to Mike … I threw caution to the wind and went to the hardware and the grocery AND the dump. No issues.

BUT, see above. New battery on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Vendee Globe leading pack is approaching Cape Horn and it is extremely nerve wracking! Google Drakes Passage … I have become emotionally involved (virtually :) … I want them all to do well and most of all to finish!) with all of the skippers and also scared myself silly watching documentaries about Cape Horn/Drakes Passage … so have had several sleep deprived nights worrying about the fleet rounding Cape Horn.

As of this writing, the leader is around… and I think the weather is slightly better for the next group. But it will be awhile before I truly rest easy!

Okey-dokey. That’s the scoop and the current state of the fambly Summers.

Here we go with the pictures.

But, wait … even with all of the stuff … the craft projects continue and I love working on them:

The looped yarn throw … it is close to being done … another skein…

9 of 30 blocks complete. The yarn and pattern for 10-12 is on the way.

New Year’s rolls: 1/2 are cinnamon and 1/2 are chocolate-tahini. All are good!

Hopefully next weekend I can do a proper “wrap” of 2020. Spoiler … I am very happy about how many new things I learned in 2020. And despite the challenges of the year … for me, it was a pretty good … productive year.

2021: Bring it!!