My memory skips right over my successes and accomplishments, so I feel that I have done almost nothing for the year. Fortunately, my calendar, photos ephemera, and this blog prove me wrong. Here are some highlights (and lowlights) of the year.
Around 555
We focused on hardscaping & outbuildings: patio, path, and tiles with my guys from Monaka Doken; Sasaki-san built the “shed” and Nagai-san cleared out the barn. I cut a lot of grass and pulled thousands of weeds, but it’s never enough.
Work
Taught over 30 school workshops for Oyama Senmaida; flew to Aomori on a video shoot for MSKK; launched an English-language website for Oyama Senmaida and updated their branding; designed a whole line of product packaging for RTG; continued my daily morning yoga class. On the disappointing side, I lost several long-standing clients due to changes in programs and budgets and earned less this year than ever.
Events
Helped to put together a yumbo class and got my certification. Celebrated 35 years together with Tod with a trip to the Jade Coast. Ran a koi nobori craft booth at Soil to Soul Farmpark; taught yoga at Oyama Senmaida and for FEW’s annual conference; co-hosted a flea market; performed Kabuki at Oyama Senmaida; exhibited my craftwork in the Community Center Festival. Cat bite was a two-week infection event on its own.
Friends & family
Jeanie & Tim visited for Golden Week and Tod’s birthday. We saw Matt Z for the first time in half a decade; Kristoff lent a hand removing wiring in the barn. The usual suspects visited from Tokyo. We hosted dinner parties, tea, and long conversations. Everyone was busy this year; I was alone more than I wanted to be.
Arts & crafts
Inspired by nature around me, I dove into botanical colors; learned basketry techniques; taught over a dozen Drawing Meditations sessions. In the studio and at handcraft club, I got back to bookbinding; took a weaving workshop; played with paint and printing. Though I sketched abundantly and wrote consistently, I am disappointed for not actually completing the works I intended to do.
The year was so much fuller than I remember. There were sad times, frustrations, and anxieties to cloud days and even weeks but I think 2024 was a good one. I’m hopeful for an interesting and productive 2025.
