The best thing about my 2024 was moving into a retirement community on the Willamette River -- no stairs, great people (both staff and residents), good food. NO STAIRS!
I just finished reading "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating" and was so excited to see this on your list. Also, your list is amazing - what a wonderful end of year ritual! Looking forward to starting my own now!
These are great and it did make me make a list of my own! Thank you! Also, I loved your son Owen’s typing song. It made me laugh and I enjoyed every key. Tech changes fast but when I first started in it, I was paid to TYPE. Someone with atrocious handwriting would hand me a stack of engineering papers and my job was to type that mess up because not everyone knew how to type. Yes, I typed on an electric typewriter too. 💕
18 years ago in grad school at least one of the Germans in the program had to learn to type to do the comprehensive exams. Younger than me, they’d grown up in a school- and career system that divided people into thinkers and doers, and typing was for the doers, not the thinkers.
Really? I didn’t know that, Emily. Though it seems like they dropped the ball there doesn’t it? Since so many writers need to write/type to “think” things through!
It’s an interesting philosophy, separating the thinkers from the doers! What could possibly go wrong?
This is one of the points where I appreciate the US school system: for not dividing up kids (and rather early) into what they’ll do in the future. And having individual courses you can pick rather than entire tracks where everyone does the same thing.
Have loved your list for a few years now and it has inspired me to make my "year end summary" become 100 bits in no real order. Gave me much freedom. (Ah, the rules we make for ourselves.) What name did you settle on for your book cart?
My favorite bit of 2024 was discovering the most incredible tour guide in Florence who brought the city to life in every possible way. She made a difference. I love being with people who are REALLY good at what they do. Like you.
I was just trucking along enjoying every one of these things and got to 77 and was all awwwww. An unexpected reminder of a project that I still hold dear. 🙏
I’m one of those who started making my own Top 100 list because of you. It’s such a rewarding exercise. Throughout the year, I catch myself in little moments thinking, “Yeah, this is definitely making the Top 100.”
Meghan's quote about 90s clothes was so spot on I had to quote her in my journal!
1. Surviving brain surgery
2. Now able to fold zines
3. Journaling since surgery
4. Keeping two newsletters and podcasts going
5. Reading this newsletter which not only was a companion while recipe but also always kept me thinking and on top my creativity. Thanks Austin
Recuperating
Wow - you are inspiring!
So good to do this. To remember the good things to offset the heavy things.
What a wonderful post. I'm going to have my work cut out for me in 2025! Great positivity.
1. Taking 3 months of unpaid leave to travel
2. Adopting two beautiful cats - mom& kitten
3. Crochetting clothes and gifts.
The best thing about my 2024 was moving into a retirement community on the Willamette River -- no stairs, great people (both staff and residents), good food. NO STAIRS!
Happy for you! it's so wonderful to feel safe at home.
I just finished reading "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating" and was so excited to see this on your list. Also, your list is amazing - what a wonderful end of year ritual! Looking forward to starting my own now!
-Date nights with my wife (myy wiiife)
-Legos and olympics with our son.
Oh, and if you’re considering a drum machine, check reverb and the selection of analog drum machines like this one:
https://reverb.com/item/86350626-boss-dr-670-dr-rhythm-2000s-silver?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=86350626
I bought a Yamaha RX-15 this year and the kids love it. No need for a computer!
These are great and it did make me make a list of my own! Thank you! Also, I loved your son Owen’s typing song. It made me laugh and I enjoyed every key. Tech changes fast but when I first started in it, I was paid to TYPE. Someone with atrocious handwriting would hand me a stack of engineering papers and my job was to type that mess up because not everyone knew how to type. Yes, I typed on an electric typewriter too. 💕
18 years ago in grad school at least one of the Germans in the program had to learn to type to do the comprehensive exams. Younger than me, they’d grown up in a school- and career system that divided people into thinkers and doers, and typing was for the doers, not the thinkers.
Really? I didn’t know that, Emily. Though it seems like they dropped the ball there doesn’t it? Since so many writers need to write/type to “think” things through!
It’s an interesting philosophy, separating the thinkers from the doers! What could possibly go wrong?
This is one of the points where I appreciate the US school system: for not dividing up kids (and rather early) into what they’ll do in the future. And having individual courses you can pick rather than entire tracks where everyone does the same thing.
Have loved your list for a few years now and it has inspired me to make my "year end summary" become 100 bits in no real order. Gave me much freedom. (Ah, the rules we make for ourselves.) What name did you settle on for your book cart?
My favorite bit of 2024 was discovering the most incredible tour guide in Florence who brought the city to life in every possible way. She made a difference. I love being with people who are REALLY good at what they do. Like you.
I was just trucking along enjoying every one of these things and got to 77 and was all awwwww. An unexpected reminder of a project that I still hold dear. 🙏
I found a volunteer opportunity that I love in 2024! Your list is inspiring.💙📚🎶
I love seeing these lists every year. 2025 is the year I focus on the good things and keep my own list.
I’m one of those who started making my own Top 100 list because of you. It’s such a rewarding exercise. Throughout the year, I catch myself in little moments thinking, “Yeah, this is definitely making the Top 100.”
Happy New Year from NZ!
This has inspired me to make my own list, especially when I read Pam's comment below about gratitude journals being the perfect launching pad.
Thanks for another year of perfectly wonderful places to go rabbit-holing :)
Your #41 though.... :(
My 2025 faves—probably incomplete, no particular order except the first:
- Meeting my grandniece for the first time 💕
- Touring Lennon and McCartney’s childhood homes
- Stumbling on an amazing art-pub, Hobo Kiosk, in Liverpool
- Seeing the incredible ESG live (other good shows were Belle & Sebastian in Glasgow, dBs and Lemon Twigs closer to home)
- Double rainbow at B&S’s Glasgow Weekender festival
- Borrowing the actual vinyl with liner note zine of the Anthology of American Folk Music from the library (!!!), felt like I was listening to history
- Watching my brother-in-law who lost his sight 10 years ago finish the NYC Marathon
- Completely nailing a Christmas present for my friends’ daughter who is studying mycology 🍄
- Making some “outsider” art for our back yard, very basic and simple (flags of Jamaica and Scotland) but hey, baby steps 😄
Omg I would love to see ESG
Only one of the Scroggins sisters is left but in the band but it was such a party, so much fun, fairly small venue too.