2023 in the Rear View Mirror

2023 was an exciting year. Steven retired at the end of 2022, and 2023 was a change in routine for both of us. The best part was being able to jump in the truck and head out to shoot, or do whatever, and not having to wait until the end of the workday or the weekend.

Our new home in Pisgah Forest was completed at the end of January and we moved permanently to the mountains of Western North Carolina. We chose this area because we love the mountains, and this was where we wanted to photograph. We could be at a beautiful waterfall in 15 minutes and on the Parkway in less than 30. Our mountain home is about half the size of our old one.  The reason I mention this is because we had to find new homes for much of our furniture and household goods. While at first this was very stressful, there is a catharsis in doing this. We kept what worked in the house and what our hearts couldn’t let go of.  Marie Kondo would be proud.

We met new photography friends while out shooting and at camera club meetings, and enjoyed shooting with old friends who live here. We made new friends in the neighborhood and at church.

Steven and I traveled.  We were in Charleston in the spring, Ohio in the summer, Maine and New England in the fall, with family in Alabama at Christmas, and ended 2023 in Charleston for the New Year. We spent a lot of nights in our travel trailer.

On a personal level, I think we had a pretty good year. Steven and I are healthy.  Except for a recent round with Covid for some of our family, they are doing well. On a photography level, I think we have seen growth.  What more could we ask for?

2024 goals look promising and include the following:  Steven and I will be working on expanding our knowledge of how art is created with the hopes it will give us more of an artist’s eye and improve our photography. We plan to continue exploring Lightroom and Photoshop to improve how we process our images.  We will continue to travel to new and exciting places and revisit old favorites.  On a personal note, we hope to spend more time with family and friends.

May 2024 bring you health, happiness, and good fortune. Happy New Year!