Posted December 29, 2024
The year was marked by health issues, celestial events, music, crafts, and construction projects.
Huntington’s disease is on a slow progression. She has chorea, meaning she shakes (her feet can look like she is dancing in place while resting), her speech gets slurred often, and she has trouble swallowing and can choke on food. She doesn’t get out much, but we were able to go to Green Bay for an educational conference on Huntington’s disease on November 9; her brother, who lives in Green Bay, went too.
Otherwise, she has been largely okay except for occasional infections and/or sores. Her diabetes is better controlled now, thanks to newer medicines along with her insulin, and she has lost some weight.
In addition to the total solar eclipse in April, I was able to see and photograph the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) on several occasions (though I missed the grand display on May 10–11), as well as Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), which won’t be visible again for about 80,000 years.
She spent much of the year (off and on, as she was able) just trying to organize all of her craft supplies. Lately, she has been working on actual craft projects, including bead and jewelry work as well as some painting and embroidery.
During a thunderstorm on July 14 with heavy rain and high winds, we had a minor leak in the living room ceiling for just a couple of minutes. The room directly above this was bone dry! We had several people look at the roof, and no one could find a leak. We finally figured that backed up gutters were the problem. We got estimates from several well-known companies but ended up getting gutter guards from a roofing company for only $920.75; they installed them on October 22.
A new house was built in the empty lot next to us. It took from August 1 until December 23 to finish it though. ~ Highway 51, that runs right near our house, was under construction from May until November.
Buddy is now 1 year and 9 months old. He has mellowed somewhat from his crazy kitten days, but he is still quite a rascal. We were able to put up the Christmas tree this year (on December 23); he climbed on it the first day but then left it alone (mostly) after that. Like any cat, he sleeps much of the day, but his odd personality makes him a wonderful addition to our home! He tends to favor me (Charlie) over Wendi but will sometimes climb on Wendi’s lap and rest awhile.
I spent Thanksgiving with friends Julie and Craig; I brought food home for Wendi. For Christmas, Julie and Craig came here. We ate turkey and ham with all the trimmings, but there were few presents. We were able to talk on the phone later that evening with our son Joe, who lives in Minnesota. He and Elizabeth are now legally separated, but their divorce won’t be final until March, 2025. ~ We were able to video chat with Elizabeth and our granddaughter Asha on December 26; Asha opened her presents from us and from a good friend of ours.