As the holidays draw to a close, it’s time to think about 2022

For me, my holiday celebration ended early. My daughters came for a Christmas celebration in early December, Lisa from Madrid and Mona from Sacramento.

We had such a great time; a fabulous Christmas dinner Dec. 4 and opening presents Dec. 5.

For our celebration, I found a beautiful living Christmas tree, a Turkish fir, which if it lives, will grow to be 60- to 80-feet tall and 10-feet wide.

Fortunately, a former co-worker had room for it on his property, and he came to pick it up on Dec. 15.

He sent me a photo of how the tree is doing in the Christmas snow storm, which has blanketed large parts of Western Washington with snow.

With the holidays coming to a close for me, I’m thinking about 2022.

Bloggers in my group also are pondering what’s next:

How to be resilient in 2022

Meryl Baer of Beach Boomer Bulletin likes to think of herself as an optimist, and after two years of a pandemic that upended all our lives in many negative ways, she wants to be optimistic about the new year. Baer hopes to be able to bounce back to a life not exactly like pre-covid times, but similar in positive ways, as she discusses in this week’s post, “Resilience – My Word for 2022.”

Where to find peace

Lately, Laurie Stone, of Laurie Stone Writes: Musing, Rants & Scribbles, has trouble shutting out the world. Stone can’t escape her overfed, too busy brain, this brain that can’t stop thinking. She’s hooked into too many devices with too much multitasking. Yet the other day, she happened to watch a video with spiritualist Deepak Chopra that taught her something so basic, so easy, and yet so vital, she was amazed. At first, she didn’t believe such a simple act could work, but it did.

Pessimism or optimism for today’s world

Tom Sightings, of Sightings Over Sixty, attended an online presentation addressing current issues. Sightings thought the speakers, one a college professor and the other from a think tank, had an overwhelming negative view of the world and seemed nostalgic for the past. He discusses pessimism and optimism and picks one in “Too Old … Too Cynical?”

The joy of new babies

Among her friends, Carol Cassara, of Carol Cassara – Writer, suspects she’s known as the "Cassandra of Covid" and no one wants to see her coming. Of course, in Greek mythology, Cassandra had the gift of prophecy but was cursed so that no one would believe her. Lest you think she is always full of doom, she’s also taken with joy that babies born in her family are bringing during this difficult time. See “New Babies Bring New Hope” for details.

Blogging for fun and extra retirement income

Rebecca Olkowski, with BabyBoomster.com has been blogging since 2008 and still loves doing it. She’s updated a post on her blog for readers who may be thinking about starting a blog to use as a way to make extra retirement income. The new year is a perfect time to get started. For details, see “How to Start a Blog.”

This is the Best of Boomer Blogs #733. Be sure to join in the conversations. Our bloggers love to hear from readers.

Comments

[Carol Cassara]

I loved hearing about your holiday, Rita.

[Rita]

Thanks. I got so lucky that my daughters were able to visit. Since Lisa lives in Madrid, they hadn't celebrated the holidays together for 19 years. For years, I went to Madrid for Thanksgiving through Christmas. But, I haven't traveled there since before the pandemic. And, Lisa was lucky to get back to Madrid without any problem.

[Meryl]

Great roundup of everyone's blog posts this week. Glad to hear you had a wonderful holiday.

[Rita]

Thanks. Now, it's back to work and finish my book.