My niece, Kayleen and I have answered these questions for a few years now – here is my 2017 year end review. And here is hers.

It seems to me that I had a harder time with some of the answers this year. Maybe it was the questions I struggled with, anyway I had to think a bit! I guess the purpose of looking back, is to make you think though. So, here goes.

The Year in Review: 2017 in simple question and answer form.

What did you do in 2017 that you’ve never done before?
Ken and I both got cell phones with a two year contract! We rode in a zodiac and saw a lot of sea lions in the wild. We hiked among ancient Haida death poles. I learned a new quilting technique, and am trying to learn to paint.

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I like having a motto, not resolutions to guide me each year. My motto for 2017 was Back to Better. I am better, but I fear the world is not. For 2018 I’ve chosen – Look up, Everyday… there are reminders. We’ll see how it goes.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
I don’t think so, but then again, I don’t pay attention to babies.

Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, Chukki Mains and Shelagh Hill.

What countries did you visit?
We stayed in Canada.

What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
I do not feel I lack anything, but this next year, I’d like to get new frames for my glasses.

What events from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory?
Flying up the west coast of Haida Gwaii.
My brother Art’s visit.
Shooting arrows in the backyard.
The #metoo thing
An era ended when the last Hudson drove off the hill. (My brother sold our childhood home and for the first time since 1949, no Hudson lives in Los Alamos, NM.)

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I read 55 books! (That’s a big deal for me!) I also made gifts of most of the quilts I made, and the yarn I spun. I will also say, I can cook a meal with more confidence.

What was your biggest failure?
I can’t seem to let go of a hurt.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
My head injury has healed a lot. I’m not 100%, but am much better. I got a cold last year. I hadn’t had one in a long time. For the most part, all my bits are lined up fairly well.

What was the best thing you bought?
The big rocking chair from Jess, and the spinning wheel from Linda, are pretty nice things. The food we buy, and time we spend, cooking for the local shelter each month, makes me glad we can do it, and sorry that we have to.

Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My brother Art, for starting over on his own. Bonus shout out because he is a very good man in the world.
Tyler and Shannon for helping Ken and me into the 90s.
Michele Livaja for being brave enough to enter the NDP race.
Jess Rice for being a generous and gentle teacher.
I continually cheer the everyday actions of my husband Ken, and of course, Boze is a good dog!

Whose behaviour appalled you?
Besides the obvious asshats creating the shit show in the states, I’m appalled by Democrats who aren’t screaming! I’m appalled by people who don’t think guns are a problem, and those that do think religion is a solution. I also feel duped by John Hogan for going ahead with the Site C dam project.

Where did most of your money go?
Probably on food. We eat like kings.

What did you get really excited about?
My first painting lesson was fun, shooting arrows is as well.
I saw a cougar, whale, and bear that made my heart race.
Anytime Ken says, “Get in the van.”
Watching the sunrise and set at Agate Beach up north, and every day here on Samron Rd.

What song will always remind you of 2017?
Any song by Tom Petty.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?  Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter?  Same (but I feel fatter)
iii. richer or poorer?  Richer

What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I had hiked more trails and less sidewalks.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Complaining, and snacking.

Did you fall in love in 2017?
Ken still has my heart, so does our doggy Boze.

What was your favourite TV program?
I still watch cooking shows, Perry Mason, and This Hour has 22 Minutes. I like the Coroner, Father Brown, and Masterpiece. We now have Netfliks, and I’m open to suggestions of shows  that are not violent or about war.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Like my niece, I’ll be deleting this question next year, or perhaps I will change it to –
Have you let go of any resentment or have a regret you cling to?
(The answer for 2017 would be… Yes, I’m holding a hurtful grudge, and I have no regret about it.)

What was the best book you read?
My top choice this year will be one of the plays I read. alterNative. I’m sorry I didn’t write down who wrote this play — it was fantastic!

What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?
Roy Orbison got the most play.

What did you want and get?
The best thing I have now, that I’ve always wanted — A good relationship with my brother. It is an absolute joy.

What did you want and not get?
Besides  once again not getting thinner, I usually get what I want. This question should read, What did I want to do, but didn’t.
I think I’d like to swim on a regular basis, but I didn’t go once. Plus, the hiking thing.

What was your favourite film of this year?
Maudie, — hands down.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 62. Patti Brown made a fancy, dancy, surprise, coconut cake for me! Plus, I started collecting social security cheques!

What one thing would have made the year immeasurably more satisfying?
Finding a hiking partner to explore the different trails around here on a regular basis.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?
Hasn’t changed in years. I still wear turtle necks, jeans and hiking boots.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Seriously? We all know tRump is a fucker, but those GOP asshats Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnel are just evil. On a positive note, Michelle Livaja almost won a seat in our Parliament.

Who and what did you miss?
Who I miss …I continue to miss Kim, mom, Peet, and now, Chukki who are dead. I miss my tai chi brother Jim, who is alive. What I miss… not very often, but sometimes, I really miss being able to drink booze.

Who was the best new person you met?
Shannon at Telus. She is smart, friendly, and generous.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
I learned I am much more of an introvert than I thought. I’m grateful we have friends who visit us but, I realize I need a day or two of quiet to recover after they leave. Also, Ken and I often joke that, “A better woman could’ve got a better man.” I know for sure that I did as good as I possibly could. And for the record, I happen to think, that so far… I’ve done pretty darn good in life and in love.