4 Takes on 4 Beloved Parts of 2018 - A Family Writing Together

Thea I love Thea because she licks me and plays with me on the ice at the Intervale. Also she likes to cuddle. Thea is the sweetest puppy I know.  When I took Thea for a walk yesterday I had a lot of fun slipping on the ice. Thea chased all of the ice that shattered. It was very cute. Kuba

I like at nighttime when she is just so cuddly and cute. Also whenever I get home she always  is so excited to see me and anyone else she knows.  I love to walk with Thea in the Intervale when there's a lot of ice because it is so fun to slide around and have fun watching her slipping too. Also watching her play with other dogs is always fun to watch.   Anders

Copper dog. Cute. Scared. Outside walks...lots and lots and lots of walks. That’s the best because she is so happy running outside. Her happiness is contagious.  Freedom!...walking with Thea is freedom  for Thea and for me. I often resist...d r a g  myself there...but I am never, ever sorry that I’ve taken her. I went through a phase of her running beside me while I biked...then I got her a harness to reach her skijoring techniques for next winter...gee/haw straight on.  Now I have been taking photos of everything...lots of close ups. Very few of her and they all turnout bad...not the way I think people should see her. Anna

I’ve been adjusting to life with a dog ever since we got Thea.  I’ve been the reluctant one in the family. Everyone else is 100% in.  It’s safe to say though that I’ve grown to love her - though I’m still a little reticent about the chewing, the mess, the need for constant puppy proofing.  Walks with Thea are my favorite part of having a dog.  We take her almost every day for a long walk off leash. The Intervale, the Whale Tails, Red Rocks, always off leash and free.  She’s so darn happy.  She runs and runs.  She sniffs and sniffs.  She comes when you call her. Her favorite thing of all is when there’s another dog to play with.  Then the wild rumpus begins and the hounds are off.  Also - the walks are outside in the beautiful nature that surrounds us. Fields, woods, trails, birds, sky.  Always deeply satisfying.  Judy

Museums We went to MASS MoCA two days ago and there was a lot of cool art. My favorite painting was an abstract landscape. Kuba

The best parts about the museums were the gift stores and all of the exhibits where

you could do something yourself and not just look. Anders

MoMath and Illusions museums were mostly fun because the kids were so happy. And there were the adventures getting there on the subway...going into the wrong stations. We always made it back to Brooklyn somehow though. Best of the best though were MASS MoCA and Storm King. Storm king was cold and wet and windy and miserable in all ways, except that we went and muscled our way through as a family huddled in a tour wagon. Anna

The best part of the year in a way, was realizing (again?) how much we like museums. We’ve sure been to a lot this year...the African American Museum, the National Museum of Mathematics, the Museum of Illusions, the Brooklyn Museum, Mass MoCA, the Fleming, the Montreal Museum of Modern Art, and probably more that I cannot remember at the moment. Although, the best part of the best part of the year was being with the boys and Anna in such big beautiful spaces filled with imagination and creativity.  I LOVE walking through the galleries with them and taking photos of the boys interacting with the environment. Judy

Hamilton Hamilton was fun and cool to see. It was sort of disappointing because it wasn’t the original cast but it was still amazing! Kuba

The thing I loved about Hamilton is singing along and just listening in the car on a long road trip or even just a short one. Then when we got to go see the musical I was a little disappointed it was not the original cast but it was still one of the best things I have ever seen. Anders

I am not throwing away my shot. The sound track of 2017 and 2018!. I miss the music being around as if my family were here for a visit and then  all left. The show was an amazing treat and gift both from Judy and John.   I want to watch it from the front row next time. To see their faces as they sing. Their feelings. It was all around an amazing gift! Anna

Ridiculous right!?  We were gifted tickets to Hamilton for Anna’s fiftieth birthday.  We took the train from Vermont to NY City and even the train ride was spectacular.  The whole experience from start to finish was filled with excitement, anticipation, and thrill.  DELIGHTED to see Hamilton live.  Judy

Grandma I am really glad that grandma moved into “The barn.” Now I can say hi whenever I want. Also at Christmas she could walk right over to our house instead of having to drive all the way here. Kuba

Ever since grandma moved into the barn it is so much easier to just go over and see her whenever we want it has been easier to just go see her almost everyday and I think that is good for us and for her. Anders

Grandma has been my 2:00 coffee date for the past month. She is amazingly positive and always full of compliments and outward appreciation and connection.  I think EWTN catholic channel brings her serenity and generosity! Oh there are some cranky days too and messy days….but mostly Judy and Sandy get to see those. The boys and I get laughter, curiosity, happiness. Anna

I often want to write about Grandma and what it’s like to take care of my mom.  92 years old and still full of life and love and so much emotion.  It’s been everything to me to have her in the barn.  It’s not easy, but it’s also deeply rewarding.  I love her and taking care of her fragile self seems holy in some respects.  Cleaning her body, helping her dress, giving her meals, feeling out her emotional needs, trying to bring opportunities to her so she can take in  the wide breadth of this life she has.  Her appreciation and gratitude for the care she gets is overflowing and constant.  Judy