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A few years ago, while taking a creative writing course, I wrote a story from my dog's perspective.  I edited and proofread that bugger like my future depended on it. Even non-dog people would love it, I was certain ! Especially the course instructor. "It's good, but nobody wants to read about animal perspectives any more", the instructor commented, "they’re stale prose. Try again…" Several more pets have come and gone from our lives since that particular dog.  Pearl, a cat, is our latest.  You guessed it! Pearl is purring with joy to share her perspective about what it’s like to travel back and forth from Atlanta to Florida with her humans, me and Jeff.  Pearl says: The 5 1/2 hour drive goes relatively quickly . We leave early in the morning, about 7 a.m. Thankfully, the humans pack a lunch so that there isn’t a long, tiresome wait for me in the car while they waste time in a restaurant.  But I do wish the lady human would refrain from packing Florida yellowfin confit tuna sandwiches.  The aroma is mouthwatering and I can't have a single bite. She says it will upset my stomach. She's right about that. As a matter of fact, I’m not allowed to eat or drink anything in the car.  Zippo.  The lady thinks doing so would make me have to potty.  It doesn’t matter.  I wouldn’t eat or drink anything if they offered it to me.  Thankfully, the yellowfin confit tuna bouquet dissipates with time and I go back to staring out the front windshield, I love to stare out windows. I do that at home in Atlanta, too.  When I get tired of looking straight ahead, I look behind me to see if there is anything interesting in that direction.  There's almost always something interesting. When we arrive at the beach, I love to perch on one of the ocean facing windows.  The lady human says there’s a giant kitty litter pan out there that is filled with real sand.  I could do my business in it if I'd like to. But I don’t want to. I’ve seen turtles walking around out there. As soon as we get settled in, I like to ribbon in and out of the loft banisters. I always decide against jumping all the way down.  At night, sometimes I venture out for an hour or two.  I mostly just stay on the roof and gaze down at Florida's nocturnal life. One time I did go down to chase a bunny out of the bushes.  There’s a cat that lives below us named Zooie (not Zoey).  She doesn’t like me that much yet.  We’re not the same age.  When I'm ready to come back inside, the man human takes me and my food upstairs to my own bedroom. I'm not allowed to roam around the house at night while they're sleeping (sometimes I talk to myself and wake everyone up). I can see a pool that lights up from the bedroom window. The glow is pretty at night. Best of all are the sunrises. Before long I’ll be heading back to Atlanta.  I like it there too.  But the humans say they’re moving soon and that means I’ll be moving too.  One day, I might move to Washington DC to live with my very favorite human, Diana.  I hope you enjoyed Pearl's Perspective! Who cares what negative-Nelly instructors say!?  I'm actually reading a great book Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt, that shares an octopus' perspective! Here are some other recent and classic pet perspective books worth checking out and/or revisiting: The Art of Racing in the Rain , Garth Stein The World According to Bob , James Bowen Black Beauty , Anna Sewell Call of the Wild , Jack London ETC. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley

Hi Everyone: How is life going for you?  Traveling?  Relocating?  Looking forward to voting?  Finding closure to something? I’m doing all the above and then some. --Until late September, we had five urns in our house.  Five .  One cat, two dogs and two humans. On Tuesday, October 1 Jeff and I fulfilled my parent’s final wishes of being buried together, in a double urn vault, in Douglas, Michigan. Like their memorial, held on November 12, 2024, our intimate ceremony/tribute was lovely and true.   An October fall day in Michigan is a beautiful time of year. The sun was shining, the temperature was pleasant and the shade tree that my grandmother specifically chose for her family to rest under was soothing, heavenly. If you’ve ever orchestrated an out-of-state burial you know that planning isn’t the easiest thing to do.  At least it wasn’t for me.  I must have called the local township a dozen times confirming that everything was in place.  Nerves more than anything.  And, unbeknownst to me, urns are heavy .  Did you know that?   Delta Airlines couldn’t have been more accommodating and understanding to work with.  They were sympathetic upon arrival and during inspection. ( Expect the worst and you’re never disappointed?)  Jeff and I both expected a mild hassle.  We were prepared.  Nothing.  No hassle, no delay, nothing.  Piece of cake. We were so touched (albeit not surprised) that my cousins joined us.  The urn was lowered and covered and Jeff and I read bible verses: Opening:  Almighty ever-living God, you rule both the living and the dead and are merciful to all.  We humbly beseech you, that those for whom we pour out our prayers may obtain pardon for their sins  through your tender mercy.  May they rejoice together, be blessed in your sight, and praise you without end.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. For Papa:   “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3 For Mom:   “But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:20-21 For Both: We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life.” Romans 6:4 Closure!  Praise the Lord. The end.  Amen. So, ya, I’m happy to have that duty over with. Closure. And I’m especially happy Jeff, Kym, and Jodi were there with me.   I still remember many people who were kind and thoughtful after Mom’s passing.  Cards, calls, and attendance by friends meant the world.  So many people turned a somber time into a sort of spiritual bliss.   It seems odd bringing this up now, but the recent burial a couple weeks ago brought many special people to mind.   Thank y’all! A final page has turned and I’m super excited to get going and give life all I’ve got to give for the next story’s content. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley

Hi Friends: I hope you’re happy, healthy, and rolling with life’s changes! There’s just so much change going on.  Too much moving.  Everyone knows after 33+ years we are finally moving.  I have a lot to give away if y’all are interested.  Below are some amateur photos of a few things that won’t fit in our new home.. We thought about having a “yard sale”. (Do those even exist any more?)  But, I’d rather give away things that are in good shape, to good homes. If interested, email me at triangleparkatl@gmail.com . And, since giving freebies away is a boring blog, here are some pics from the Fernandina beach house: Moving isn't fun, but visiting the beach house is. Did you see the harvest moon on Tuesday, September 17? In the evening, I was laying on the sofa facing east. Ten hours earlier I'd seen the sunrise. And, now, it appeared like the sun was rising again! I thought " what is happening ?" An iphone camera is better than nothing but fails to capture the brilliance. Fernandina rainbows and sky paintings are a common site to behold: Peacocks strolling down the road on a drive home from the grocery store (Again, what is happening!?) : And, the next day it starts all over again with the sun rising: Have a blessed day, everyone. Love, Shelley

Hi Friends! How are you doing?  How has your summer been?  Has 2024 been good to you in general?  I’m only up-to-date with friends, not on social media.  It’s been a minute… as the saying goes for checking in with SM friends. A lot is happening. We are moving! Spring ‘24 started out with a bang for the Buckhead Sweeneys: We road and air traveled around Tuscany, Florence and Rome, Italy.  After Italy, we headed to a horse show in Kentucky and added a visit to a Maserati shop.  We were on the hunt for my long-lost ‘76 Merck.  We found it and we’re buying it back.  The old Merck is getting a full face-lift and tummy tuck right this very minute.   If you’re wondering: where on earth will they keep that car on McKinley Road???   Oh my, do we have good news on that front…. After 33+ years, we are finally leaving McKinley Road! After Kentucky, we went to Urbana, Illinois to attend Diana’s law school graduation (…Summa Cum Laude…:).   Next stop after Illinois that was NYC for Eli and Diana’s wedding.  Incredible matrimonial-elopement weekend!  Diana was a stunning bride, Eli was a sharp, handsome groom!  Family in attendance was the icing on the cake.  Phew, that was a lot of 2024 crammed-in travel.   After the wedding, in June, we suffered the loss of two, young, dear people.  Unspeakable.  When July rolled around, Jeff and I were hit with a dreadful case of pneumonia.  I know.  What?  We were sick, and I mean sick, for the entire month of July.  Our house was full of coughing, hacking, blowing, moaning, and limping sickness! We were supposed to spend July 4th at our blissful beach house overlooking the Atlantic.  No such luck.   Eventually, we did make it (barely) down there to recuperate.  And oh what a beautiful place to recuperate in.  Stunning private view that never, ever gets old.  Birds, rainbows, sea turtles, rising sun and moon, ships in the distance, ever changing water color and peace.  Pure peace. All good things must come to an end and before we knew it, we were back in sweltering hot, stormy Atlanta.   Don’t get me wrong.  I love ATL.  But it is sweltering hot and stormy June - August. So, a lot of you know that Jeff and I planned to demolish our McKinley home and rebuild.  It goes like this:   Tear down Rebuild Call it all off. Don't do it. Tear down Rebuild And, now, the latest is… Call it all off. Don't do it... After returning from the beach and recovering from pneumonia we called off the rebuild plan, again. Praise. The. Lord. It's time to get off of McKinley Road? Take a look at these photos: We bought a new home in Buckhead and couldn’t be more excited.  Please visit us! If you want the whole scoop, give me a ring. Otherwise, here’s the skinny: It’s in Garden Hills, The Delmont.  It’s currently under construction and has everything we were after with a new-build on McKinley.  And, MORE! Way more. The best part for Jeff is the 3+ car garage!  The best part for me is the amazing greenspace view and huge oak tree.  Entry way and elevator are pretty nice too. Cheers!   Meanwhile, we will still be moving into our condo on Peachtree.  Boy, is it looking quaint and cute with various, lovely things of my late mother’s. So, yeah, a lot is going on in our lives regarding real estate.   Thankfully, we’re getting a break from it all soon!   I hope all of you are experiencing exciting change in your lives too. God has been so, so good to me and my family.  I pray you reap similar blessings through faith in Him. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving - Colossians 4:2

Hi Everyone, How are you? How is summer going for you? On Saturday, June 1 my youngest daughter, Diana, married her college sweetheart, Elijah. She is single no more. Diana and Eli are both 26-years-old and have dated since they were 18. They met at the Georgia Institute of Technology. They both got out ...with degrees in tow. Now, they're on their way up with promising careers in front of them. Jeff has dubbed them a "power couple"! Whatever couple status they choose to aspire to, their love and camerderie will reign supreme. They both glowed on their wedding day. They've always seemed so happy and comfortable around each other and their special day revealed it all the more. Diana and Eli eloped in New York City. They had a vision of how they wanted to get married and they pulled it off exactly how they invisioned it. This video describes it better than I can: Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley

Where does time go? Especially the older you get.  It used to be that days and weeks were long, months and years were short.  They’re all short now. Three years ago, Diana and I were visiting law schools.  Envisioning her graduating with an official law degree was forever in the distance.  She’d be my graduate student forever. Then, poof, three years vanish and suddenly she and her fiance are packing a J.D. in the back of the Jetta that she’s had since high school and driving to Delaware. Diana is officially a resident of Wilmington, Delaware.  She’s studying for the bar exam and embarking on her first federal clerkship at the end of the summer. What is happening? I’ve seen a video of her new apartment.  It comes complete with a washer/dryer and dishwasher (three things she did without while studying law).  Unless you’ve lived the past three years schlepping dirty clothes to a laundry mat and hand-washing all of your dishes, you may not appreciate those three machines as much as I know Diana does. Pads aside, graduation weekend was a joy to behold. Granted, I left D’s gift beside my bed in Atlanta and didn’t realize it until 6:30 a.m. the following morning.  Jeff asked as we were departing down our driveway if I had packed it.  I immediately reached for the suitcase latch to make sure and even mumbled that maybe I should go back inside to double check.  Jeff assured me I had packed it and I confidently agreed. But I hadn’t. Whatever. As soon as Champagne-Urbana opened for business on graduation day, Jeff and I shopped ‘til we never wanted to shop anywhere on earth again. All in pursuit of a respectable, substitute gift.  A last-minute appropriate gift for a law grad with many awards to her credit and a ranking in the top 5%. Not a great way to start things off but we had plenty of time and were happy with what we found. On the up side, Diana’s future in-laws traveled a long way to see her receive a Juris Doctor. We are grateful to them for making the trip.  Their son (our future son-in-law) supported Diana throughout law school.  AND! He helped pack her apartment and transport her and a bunch of stuff to Wilmington. Thank you to all! The strange part of the weekend was at the end.  Jeff and I were in Champaign-Urbana for a few hours after everyone in our party left.  Our flight was late afternoon so rather than sit around the not-so-exciting Bloomington, Illinois airport we hung out…guess where…in Champaign-Urbana. We went back to the shopping mall for a third time and schlepped around other places.  Then, we went back to the law school for a final visit and took this selfie. If all this reads as boring, I agree.  (Diana wasn’t even in the state of Illinois!)  But, TBH, we had fun doing it.  We’re hopelessly proud of our Georgia Tech engineering grad and our top tier UIUC law grad. (Plug insert: our other, under-the-radar, daughter is just as smart and accomplished as Diana in case you were wondering.  Surely, you must have been wondering?) Now, it’s wedding time!  We’re recalibrating to plan Diana’s wedding. Phew. Prayers accepted and appreciated. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley

Hey Y'all: Happy Spring! Are you glad winter is over? I am. Atlanta was cold and wet for a long time. So cold and wet, from now on I'm getting the heck out of here, January - March. Jeff and I kicked off spring with an Italian adventure. About two years ago we purchased a trip to Manciano, Italy through an auction event. For a long time, we weren't sure if we'd go or not. Been there done that sort of thing. Ultimately, we decided there is more to Italy than what we'd already seen, Milan and Venice. And we're most certainly not getting any younger. So we went... Manciano is about two hours from Rome. Rather than hire a driver we decided to rent a car. In part because we planned to visit Michaelangelo's David sculpture in Florence (three hours north of Manciano). Our villa was fab. (2,000 sq. ft.), cozy, and oh-so Italian. The front door put us immediately (and I mean immediately) onto a quaint road. If someone was walking by you'd have to wait for them to pass before stepping out. The roads lead to charming restaurants and neighborhoods that were as (more maybe) interesting as museums. When we first arrived we opened all of the huge, outdoor shutters in the back that covered french doors and windows (five). The wind was blowing and the shutters kept slamming back onto the doors and windows. For sure, the neighbors knew we had arrived. Windy breeze, bam, BAM, bam, windy breeze, BAM, bam. I can still hear them. BAM! The biblical story of David in and of itself is inspiring but, oh my, the statue of David in Florence is visual ecstasy. As close to perfection as one can imagine. Being in Michaelangelo's midst of artistic genious was worth driving an extra six hours to see. --Even if it meant narrowly escaping a scam disaster.-- Yep. Jeff and I almost got railroaded on our way out of Florence. As we headed out of town, Jeff was driving the front end. We were minding our own business in the right-hand lane when out-of-no-where in the left lane comes a black, Audi hatchback blazing by like a bat out of hell. After they passed, they abruptly slowed and got in front of us causing us to then pass them. Two men were in the car. They honked their horn as we passed them and then they proceeded to get right up beside us. The driver had his window down. He was facing us, and his hands were oddly in the the air. He was attempting something but it happened so quickly I had no idea what he was doing. I thought he had a gun because where I live if something similar happens there's a decent chance a gun will appear. Gun or no gun, the driver's hands were outside of the window in an alarming fashion. We heard something hit the passenger side of our car (the driver threw a rock). After the rock hit us, the Audi immediately pulled over on the side of the road. Apparently, they thought we would also pull over. Umm, where we live, if such an incident occurs one does not pull over to have a chat with the perpetrator. Just ahead of us (thank God!) was an exit with a gas station that was relatively active. This was a blessing because there aren't a lot of gas stations or any other place to stop along the way. We pulled into the gas station and the bandits pulled in right behind us. My heart was pounding. I truly thought I could have a heart attack. We were worried but there were people around. So, not that worried. The guy in the passenger seat walked up to my side of the car. He had a gangsta-style ball cap on. I rolled down the wondow. The guy looked at me and said: "You hit me. Ma English no good, ahh, you hit me, you hear da boom? Da boom?" He pointed to our rearview mirror insinuating that we side-swiped him. "No, we didn't" I said. At this point, he is already appearing to back down. Jeff leaned over and said "I saw you throw a rock at us! I saw you do it!!" ...duh... The bandit went back to his car and they pulled up to Jeff's side. The wanna-be gangstas continued hustlin' for money. Ultimately, Jeff motioned his hand and told them to "go, go, get out of here". They left the gas station. The scammers figured out quickly that we weren't afraid of them (well, maybe a little) but no way were we going to hand over money. Turns out, the scam they tried to pull off is relatively common. A quick google search brought up articles on Wing Mirror Scams in Italy. The scammer's eratic driving could indeed have caused a lot of harm but their blatant rock-throwing tactic, assumption that we'd pull over after it, and subsequent accusation of impact was/is utter ridiculousness. Who would hand over a penny for such nonesense? Granted, I may have paid a couple euros for a selfie with the cartoon-like characters but nothing beyond that. The whole ordeal ended up being laughable, hysterical. Manciano, Florence and Rome are beautiful and were fabulous to visit. But the wing-mirror scam that local delinquents tried to perpetrate on us dominates our memory. It's nice to be back in ATL. Happy Spring, everyone. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley P.S. We're pretty sure that we found "the" Maserati!! More to come when confirmed.

Hi Friends Hope y’all are doing well! Does it ever drive you nuts when you can’t find a PIN?  Try looking for a 40-year-old VIN.  You’ll never PIN complain again.  At least I won't. I’m on the hunt for this 1976(ish) Merak Maserati that I owned in the early ‘80s. The car may be long gone - totalled - but it also may be around.  Some where. We want to repurchase it! All I have to go on is that the man I sold it to in 1983, resold it in '87 to someone “in Kentucky”.  At the time of sale the license plate was: “Merak” - Oregon.  I also know that State Farm insured the car but no digital records were kept at the time so there’s really no point in typing this sentence. If anyone has any suggestions, please email: triangleparkatl@gmail.com. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley #Maserati #Merak #Merakmaserati

My mother, Diane, was an automobile enthusiast. She loved cars, especially her last one.  Here's a shot of the beloved 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis LS that she inherited from her dad. As mom entered her late 80s and early 90s, no one could talk her into purchasing a smaller, more reliable car.  Wasn't going to happen, ever. End of argument. Some of us were worried that the doors or wheels on that Mercury might just fall off without warning.  It had close to 100,000 miles on it and various issues were popping up...like a rear window that didn’t close properly. A fact that was discovered while inside a car wash.  Didn't bother mom a bit. Until the end of her life, Diane never stopped saying: “I love that car; it runs just fine.  The mechanic says he’s never seen anything like it in his life. I'm never getting rid of it.” When mom was a passenger in my car, she often noticed other cars on the road saying: “What kind of car is that?  That sure is a nice car.  How much does one of those cost?”  She simply loved admiring and riding in all sorts of cars. But all that curiousity and admiration didn't mean she wanted to trade in the beloved Mercury. Guess where it is now? Panama, South America! Yep. No kidding. Diane's favorite car in the world is now living its best life in warm, tropical Panama! And I mean best life.  It has been born again in Panama with one heck of an overhaul. Meet the man responsible for the Mercury's rebirth, Ernesto: Ernesto worked for my parents.  He was a good friend to both of them and he gave a moving eulogy at their memorial when he attributed starting his own business to mom’s encouragement. But his most touching anecdote was when he told a story about mom inviting him and his mother to lunch at their house. Beautiful! There are no words to describe how proud and happy Diane would be knowing that Ernesto restored her late father's old car to good as new. I was especially cheerful to see dad’s American flag and United States Marine Corp. decals still in place on the back windshield. Priceless! I thank God for mutual joy shared through an uncommon friendship. God Bless you, my friend. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley (Christmas decorations at the car's new home :) (Before video) (after video)

Hi Dear Friends: It’s February.  Hallelujah! How are you?  As you kick off February, do you have plenty of uplifting things (or at least one) to keep you rejoiced? Who can escape the disheartening stuff that runneth over news outlets these days?  Granted, light is in the distance but, oh my, is it ever distant lately?  My eyes are rubbed raw trying to keep sight of the light. Here’s an inspirational, joyful pass-time that I've rediscovered.  Something that eliminates a need for eye-rubbing and drying.  Something that will inject joy into your heart in spite of gloomy news, every which way you look: The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, specifically...and The Woodruff Arts Center in general! Are you a symphony fan?  Used to be?  Always wanted to be?  Never gave it much thought?  Are you beat down from depressing news day in and day out? Well… Classical music has been proven to alleviate depression! (See yellow button below) If you live in or visit Atlanta (a Delta pilot once told me “if you die and go to heaven you have to go through ATL"), please know that there is a thriving arts culture here.  My favorite part of The Woodruff Arts Center is ASO (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra). By the end of 2023, I hadn’t been to the Symphony in 40 years. Since January 3, 2024, I’ve attended three concerts (long story).  All three were mesmerizing, including how quickly the time passed.  If you know me, you know that sitting still isn’t something that comes naturally.  I was shocked to, save for a couple seat adjustments, sit as still as the chair for the whole thing. The first concert we saw was Vivaldi (personal fave) and Mozart. The second was Anton Bruckner (Te Deum). The Bruckner concert included the amazing Atlanta Symphony Chorus (wow!). The third was Mozart and Bruckner with pianist, Sunwook Kim. Wow, again. All three performances were superb. But, in particular, Bruckner’s Te Deum swiped our breath away. This rendition that I found online isn't nearly as compelling as ASO's live performance but it's still wonderful. Bruckner’s work is emotional, moving.  There’s no mistaking his journey of angst and struggle. “Medieval Christians believed the Te Deum had the power to heal.  Some believers swore it could raise the dead.  Te Deum, meaning “God, we praise you,” is a hymm dating from the 4th century.  It became a feature of morning prayer, and Christian martyrs are said to have sung its words as they met their maker.”  (Encore, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) Anton Bruckner was from the Austrian countryside. His father passed away when he was 13-years-old.  After arriving in Vienna to pursue his genius, he was relentlessly teased for looking like and dressing like a poor, country peasant.  Bruckner dedicated his Te Deum ensemble: “For the greater glory of God.”  Saying: “[I dedicated it to God] in gratitude for having safely brought me through so much anguish in Vienna.” (Encore, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Choir’s performance of Bruckner’s Te Deum was indescribable: “If you can describe it, God didn’t do it,” --Michael Youssef I hope you’ll give a classical music performance at ASO a try in 2024.  A symphony performance any where is sure to lift your spirits into a brighter light than currently exists. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley (Benefits of Listening to Classical Music above)

I loved her. Did she love me? Like a type-A student whose professor says on the first day of class: I don’t give any A’s, I yearned to earn her A-love.  I wrote notes and drew pictures of little girls holding flowers and hearts, signed with x and o.  I gave her hugs, kisses and hard-earned gifts. Sometimes all of my babysitting money went for drug store kitchen utensils she didn’t have and garage sale bowls with butterflies on them. I danced, sang and skipped-to-my-lou.  Here I am, here I am, over here.  Waving, stomping, anything, everything…whilst nothing. Dad didn’t lose his partner.  Mum would never leave him.  Identifying for mumwas being dad’s one and only.  But dad found another partner all the same.  This made mum feel low, shamed, and unpretty. I stopped skipping-to-my-lou for mum. I hated that dad found another partner prettier than her. Mum was the prettiest. She was sad, too.  Sadder.  She’d always been sad. I started giving mum ideas on how to show me she loved me.  I told her my dream of receiving a bulging stocking from Santa Claus on Christmas morning.  Popcorn balls, candy canes, socks and ribbons stuffed to the hilt proclaiming: I love you, I love you! Come Christmas morning, the stocking was empty save for a tiny, yellow, gumball-machine, smiley ring with rolling, black, beady eyes. Mum was depressed.  Everyone was depressed. Dad’s darling was down too.  He told her so-long, it’s been swell. I’m an average, starving artist now.  Mum has my finest pieces framed in her new house.  I call mumoften and sit next to her in photos with my arm around her.  I buy her clothes, brickerbrack, lunch, all the things she loves to have and do. Love me, too? B-, Try harder... Thank you for Reading! Love, Shelley #flashfiction

Hi Friends, I hope everyone had a nice Christmas celebration and a smooth transition into 2024? Happy2024 New Year Are you happy, like me, that 2023 is dust in the wind? Phew. Too much sadness.  Too much struggle, angst and other crap.  (The rest of this paragraph should elaborate and break down what is meant by those adjectives but doing so would only rationalize the misery). Onward and upward as mom liked to say. Whaddaya gonna do?  As I like to say. Accentuate the positive, alleviate the negative…as the song goes… On that cheery note!  My first grandchild, Charlie, graced earth with his precious, perfect presence in 2023.  How’s that for accentuating the positive?  And, boy oh boy is he a positive joy to behold. Charlie has the most scrumptious, little arms with irresistible rolls that are as temptingly squeezable as playdough.  Creamy, white roll after roll that look like tiny rubber bands gently hold them together cause me to want to devour them in one gulp!  His little smile brings a smile to the weariest soul.  His cheeks are peachy plump with a right-side dimple to die for.  He grins, tongue-roll gurgles and even gives a stink-eyes if he so desires! Genius I say, genius! And of course I’m utterly unbiased. --Have you noticed that Christmas cards are waning?  Becoming a thing of the past?  We received a few, most of them the final few days before Christmas but not nearly as many in years past. Admittedly, I haven’t mailed cards out for a few years.  It’s kinda sad because I really enjoy the cards we receive.  Thank you to those who sent them! I’m sorry to not have completed the card-sending task in a while. Today, I wrote a thank you to friends who invited us to a lovely evening at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra last night.  My handwriting was very not-pretty.  One stinking card and the lines looked scribbly, uneven, and I mis-spelled guest which meant I had to do the scratch-out-correction thing that makes the reader wonder why it happened?  Maybe they wanted to say something else?  Maybe they didn’t really have a good time? I thought I should throw the card away and buy another one but remembered it cost $10 so ended up convincing myself that our friends could look past the ink scribble-out and, hopefully, realize my gratitude was sincere regardless of crappy penmanship and bad spelling. Whatever. Nevertheless, I do wish everyone a very Happy 2024 New Year! My family has a lot to be thankful for and we do, indeed, thank God for all of our blessings.  But my favorite blessing, the one I’m most thankful for is: friends, YOU!  I love my old and new friends very much. Thank YOU for reading! Love, Shellety