In an exchange with Fred a few days ago, I was reminded that we started blogging in August 2006.  That means for those of us who have blogged straight through, we are coming up on twenty years – 20 years – of blogging.  That is over 1,000 blogs – 52 weeks x 20 = 1,040 blogs.  I wonder how many words that translates to? Well, just thinking of that made me tired, and a little proud. 

I, almost always, write my blogs on Saturday morning. My husband works on Saturdays and I generally use the time alone to gather my thoughts and write.  This Saturday, my husband is coming home early as we are watching our grandchildren for the remainder of the weekend, through Sunday night. So, my time to write my blog is limited to Saturday morning. As I am staring at my computer screen, there are no words in my head. I find the best of my blogs just flow out of me, generally faster than I can type them. Today, there are no words coming.

In a text group with Friday’s blogger and a few others we often cover sports matters.  The rejected offer by Kyle Tucker and the successful signing of Bo Bichette in less than 24 hours by the Mets came up.  While I support the latter and was not necessarily looking forward to the prospect of a Tucker signing, I made clear throughout that not making an offer to Pete Alonso created a super large demerit across the resume of Mets president David Stearns.

Power makes people uncomfortable, yet it shapes nearly every part of life. In government, power decides who sets the rules and who follows them. It isn’t the existence of power that causes problems, but the lack of accountability around it. When leaders stop being questioned, power shifts from serving people to protecting itself, and that’s when trust breaks down.

In this ever more complicated age of computers, passwords, automated telephone banks, AI, Internet, text codes, phone apps, Zooms, credit cards, WiFi, clock violations, iPhones, false positives, cash machines, credit ratings, tax increases, trackers, local discounts, self driving cars, Ubers, home court advantage, fluctuating interest rates, inflation, gender bias, cognitive overload, spiraling healthcare costs and ever increasing insurance rates it's such a luxury to have someone knowledgeable and caring to hold your hand, understand and explain the rules of the game and guide you. 

Something told me to call. When he answered, he said he would call me back. Before he could hang up, I asked him if he was okay.He called back ..... he told me what was wrong.“But you heard it in my voice when you asked if I was okay.”“Heard it in my voice.” I thought about that for a while.We hear lots of things when we listen. And it’s not only words.So much is lost in texting and emails. It’s a price we pay.But is it worth it?

Last week my family and I were privileged to be able to take a weeklong cruise on Royal Caribbean’s newest and world’s largest cruise ship (as of this writing), the Star of the Seas. This was our first time on such a new and large ship, just 5 months old, 7500 passengers and nearly 3,000 crew. We have neighbors that were on the ship twice In two months and recommended it. All I can say is Wow! 

It is officially January 13.  Most times I am still wishing happy new year throughout the entire month of January.  This year, however, 2026 came in like a lion and in some ways it already feels like we are knee deep in the year.  As a result, I have already stopped offering well wishes for 2026.Oddly, along with that revelation, this year for the first I am actually remembering to write 2026 instead of 2025 when recording a date.If I haven't wished you happy new year yet, my apologies, and please accept my well wishes here.