I’m not sure that many of us would want to repeat 2025. It’s been a fraught year, politically, environmentally, and in our lives as responsible citizens of a nation we thought we knew but which is being remade in ways most of us have not chosen and can’t support.
About being as much as the news as your equanimity can take, well, I share your feeling. Sorry about your dog. My only-dog Latte sends greetings. She's 13 now and not as fast as she used to be, when we once called her by turns lightning and The Kraken. Nothing profound here, just hello from another swimmer in the undertow, wondering what we're leaving behind. I think we vibrate to the same chord.
Greetings to Latte, and hugs (miss having a puppy to hug!). And yes, the same chord. And the same undertow. Thank you for all you do, Diane: you're a shining witness.
Love your 2025 reflections, Susan. Personally, I'm grateful 2025 is behind us. It's been a roller coaster ride for me. Low points: Experiencing the government target people just for who they are. Witnessing trans service members being hunted down and kicked out of the service after they were told they could openly serve retriggered old wounds. High point(s): The Sarton Award; Golden Crown literary conference (H4ML won Non-Fiction of the Year); speaking at the No Kings rally at Women's Week in Provincetown on October 18th. Music: SOJA's Fall Like Rain was on repeat, as were Stick Figure and Noah Kahan. I appreciate time with my mom, good friends, and quiet days with my dog, Kai, and begin 2026 with feelings of hope and possibility for ALL of us. I'm grateful for your smoothly-crafted literary wisdom that 2025 gifted to my inbox (thank you to the beauty and magic of Story Circle Network).
Love the song, so true. I have hopes for a better 2026, in so many ways. Thank you for all the brain food you share, and the work you do in all areas. Have a wonderful year.
I wrote a Xmas card email newsletter about my life this year. I'll send it to you on email (reading it all is optional). I enjoy ALL of your writings I've read this year - online and in books. I just started The Darling Dahlias and the Silver Dollar Bush. This year has been one of the most difficult my small family and I have had to get through, financially, health-wise, and otherwise.
From the first time I discovered it I have loved crocheting. One Christmas when we had no money I crocheted 14 afghans for presents to friends and family. Then arthritis crept in and I could not longer do it anymore. This year I am finally giving away all of my remaining yarn (tubs full). However, I can still type so I have been very involved, online, politically for a long time now (ever since Obama was first running for the NOMINATION in 2007). And this year I also started being involved in AI. I've enjoyed reading your adventures in this new technology.
I continue fighting racism as I have for the last 75 years (since I was six). In my life-long study of history, human beings and racism, this year I finally understood it all and hope to write about it if I can.
Carolyn, you are a survivor. And a fighter. I'm glad you've begun to use AI: I know it will help and support you in your study. When it's used wisely and with an understanding of the way it's constructed, it can be a useful companion for those of us who are isolated by distance or health. Kudos to you!
Thank you. You've done so much in your lifetime. You have a remarkable legacy. I appreciate you sharing your time and thoughts and MORE information with all of us.
2025 has been busier for me than I expected. Co-chairing the democratic committee in a small red VA town has been a trip. (Which it appears I will be doing for another 2 years). I have made signs, held up signs , wrote postcards and made phone calls. In addition our committee adopted part of the 460 route that runs through our county. We made kennel mats for the local pound, completed a drive to fill blessing boxes when SNAP and other programs were challenged. Attended local festivals from every community with a democratic booth. This gives a great opportunity for candidates to meet the public. We help sponsor a gun locks program that hands out free gun locks for anyone wanting them. The very best part for me was when Virginia went totally blue with the last election. Boy, that went over like a rock for a lot of people around me !!!
I appreciate this chance to communicate with you. Your insights have helped more than you know. This is hoping 2026 will find a return to humanity and peace to this country. And people that belong in jail go to jail !
Ellen, welcome to our group. We're not all about politics all the time, but you'll find us an active, concerned, responsive citizens--what it takes to make a democracy work.
This was certainly a year that I will gratefully kiss goodbye, at least politically. I only journal our trips and there wasn't one this year so I'm just working from my 79 year old memory. Most of our days (now retired) blend together and that's okay with me. The year started with our son having the first of two major surgeries. It was actually surgery number two of three since he finished 2024 with a major one. The last one would come in July. Thankfully all three were successful and no more are in sight. The really good news of the year came with the first of my increased Social Security benefits. I am part of the group (teachers, firefighters, police, etc) in 12 states who were receiving reduced benefits thanks to a loophole in tax law that reduced benefits to those who also had a separate retirement fund. Although most of us had paid our Social Security over our working years we were restricted from getting our full monthly benefits in those states which had opted out. So many thanks to Susan Collins for years of sponsorship and to Joe Biden for signing it. I promptly used some of that money to pay for cataract surgery and for the first time since I was 12, I no longer need glasses!! I've got to say that having someone remove and replace my lenses with only some deadening drops and an Ativan was quite the experience. Other than that the rest of the year brought birthday and anniversary celebrations with family, many church activities with our wonderful inclusive church family, and blessed safety and reasonably good health, Can't ask for more. I read a bunch: 100 books (mostly historical fiction, mysteries, and of course the nonfiction books on this site). It amounted to 46,000 words. I love traveling the world vicariously. I am blessed with two online book clubs with challenges that push me to read things I probably wouldn't have otherwise and my ongoing church book club (the Bookworms) that has been in existence for over 20 years.
Linda, that's good news about the SS benefit payback. I hadn't realized there were 12 states involved in that! Glad you were able to get that cataract surgery--I kept my glasses and now wish I'd gotten the lenses, as you did. I'll bet you've read MANY more than 46,000 words! (More like 8-9 million, since a typical book is 80-90,000.) Book clubs are a wonderful way to keep us reading.
I hope the car wasn't bossy, Linda (some are!). Our cars are named for Nancy and Ned, of the Nancy Drew series, which Bill and I worked on together in the early years of our writing partnership. I think these are the 3rd Nancies and the 2nd Neds. 🤣
Thank you for bringing your readers with you into your new interests, Susan. It is a testament to your character and skill as a writer that we will follow you anywhere you care to lead us ❣️
Kathy, it's been a year of big changes for you--I admire your bravery! And your commitment to your writing. I'm so glad you've found a home here on Substack.
I am happy to leave 2025 behind! What a year of shocking and horrific behavior by our lawless administration. The destruction of our democracy at home and of our leadership abroad has been one of the saddest events of my lifetime. I am trying to be hopeful that 2026 will bring out brave leadership that can stop the abuses of ICE and open up the concentration camps here to inspection, allowing due process for all those arrested here. I am still in shock that our Congress and Supreme Court is so lacking in moral fiber, so corrupt, that they have mainly looked the other way this year. Here’s hoping that we can rectify the damage going forward. I do believe that is the will of the majority.
It's truly unimaginable, isn't it? The path of destruction this one man and his followers have plowed through our government and its institutions. I think we're all in shock, as you are. The backstops we thought existed--the Congress, SCOTUS--have been corrupted. And with you, we hope. And keep doing what we can.
Looking forward to a new year with more heart and courage expressed in our beloved country. Thanks, Susan, for your astute guidance through difficult, hateful times. Wishing you joy and continued blessings.
Susan, thank you for your good wishes for my heroine's book! Can you believe that on this first morning of the new year I'm sending my manuscript to my assigned editor at Sibylline Press? Auspicious!
About being as much as the news as your equanimity can take, well, I share your feeling. Sorry about your dog. My only-dog Latte sends greetings. She's 13 now and not as fast as she used to be, when we once called her by turns lightning and The Kraken. Nothing profound here, just hello from another swimmer in the undertow, wondering what we're leaving behind. I think we vibrate to the same chord.
Greetings to Latte, and hugs (miss having a puppy to hug!). And yes, the same chord. And the same undertow. Thank you for all you do, Diane: you're a shining witness.
Love your 2025 reflections, Susan. Personally, I'm grateful 2025 is behind us. It's been a roller coaster ride for me. Low points: Experiencing the government target people just for who they are. Witnessing trans service members being hunted down and kicked out of the service after they were told they could openly serve retriggered old wounds. High point(s): The Sarton Award; Golden Crown literary conference (H4ML won Non-Fiction of the Year); speaking at the No Kings rally at Women's Week in Provincetown on October 18th. Music: SOJA's Fall Like Rain was on repeat, as were Stick Figure and Noah Kahan. I appreciate time with my mom, good friends, and quiet days with my dog, Kai, and begin 2026 with feelings of hope and possibility for ALL of us. I'm grateful for your smoothly-crafted literary wisdom that 2025 gifted to my inbox (thank you to the beauty and magic of Story Circle Network).
Karen, thank you for raising your voice--and for writing a book that shows us what it takes to exercise real courage!
Love the song, so true. I have hopes for a better 2026, in so many ways. Thank you for all the brain food you share, and the work you do in all areas. Have a wonderful year.
You, too, Penny--wonderful year. Hope you are able to continue your animal care work.❤️
I wrote a Xmas card email newsletter about my life this year. I'll send it to you on email (reading it all is optional). I enjoy ALL of your writings I've read this year - online and in books. I just started The Darling Dahlias and the Silver Dollar Bush. This year has been one of the most difficult my small family and I have had to get through, financially, health-wise, and otherwise.
From the first time I discovered it I have loved crocheting. One Christmas when we had no money I crocheted 14 afghans for presents to friends and family. Then arthritis crept in and I could not longer do it anymore. This year I am finally giving away all of my remaining yarn (tubs full). However, I can still type so I have been very involved, online, politically for a long time now (ever since Obama was first running for the NOMINATION in 2007). And this year I also started being involved in AI. I've enjoyed reading your adventures in this new technology.
I continue fighting racism as I have for the last 75 years (since I was six). In my life-long study of history, human beings and racism, this year I finally understood it all and hope to write about it if I can.
Carolyn, you are a survivor. And a fighter. I'm glad you've begun to use AI: I know it will help and support you in your study. When it's used wisely and with an understanding of the way it's constructed, it can be a useful companion for those of us who are isolated by distance or health. Kudos to you!
Thank you. You've done so much in your lifetime. You have a remarkable legacy. I appreciate you sharing your time and thoughts and MORE information with all of us.
2025 has been busier for me than I expected. Co-chairing the democratic committee in a small red VA town has been a trip. (Which it appears I will be doing for another 2 years). I have made signs, held up signs , wrote postcards and made phone calls. In addition our committee adopted part of the 460 route that runs through our county. We made kennel mats for the local pound, completed a drive to fill blessing boxes when SNAP and other programs were challenged. Attended local festivals from every community with a democratic booth. This gives a great opportunity for candidates to meet the public. We help sponsor a gun locks program that hands out free gun locks for anyone wanting them. The very best part for me was when Virginia went totally blue with the last election. Boy, that went over like a rock for a lot of people around me !!!
I appreciate this chance to communicate with you. Your insights have helped more than you know. This is hoping 2026 will find a return to humanity and peace to this country. And people that belong in jail go to jail !
Keep up the good work!
In 2026 I am determined to do what I can to take our country back. Subscribing to this blog is part of that effort.
Ellen, welcome to our group. We're not all about politics all the time, but you'll find us an active, concerned, responsive citizens--what it takes to make a democracy work.
This was certainly a year that I will gratefully kiss goodbye, at least politically. I only journal our trips and there wasn't one this year so I'm just working from my 79 year old memory. Most of our days (now retired) blend together and that's okay with me. The year started with our son having the first of two major surgeries. It was actually surgery number two of three since he finished 2024 with a major one. The last one would come in July. Thankfully all three were successful and no more are in sight. The really good news of the year came with the first of my increased Social Security benefits. I am part of the group (teachers, firefighters, police, etc) in 12 states who were receiving reduced benefits thanks to a loophole in tax law that reduced benefits to those who also had a separate retirement fund. Although most of us had paid our Social Security over our working years we were restricted from getting our full monthly benefits in those states which had opted out. So many thanks to Susan Collins for years of sponsorship and to Joe Biden for signing it. I promptly used some of that money to pay for cataract surgery and for the first time since I was 12, I no longer need glasses!! I've got to say that having someone remove and replace my lenses with only some deadening drops and an Ativan was quite the experience. Other than that the rest of the year brought birthday and anniversary celebrations with family, many church activities with our wonderful inclusive church family, and blessed safety and reasonably good health, Can't ask for more. I read a bunch: 100 books (mostly historical fiction, mysteries, and of course the nonfiction books on this site). It amounted to 46,000 words. I love traveling the world vicariously. I am blessed with two online book clubs with challenges that push me to read things I probably wouldn't have otherwise and my ongoing church book club (the Bookworms) that has been in existence for over 20 years.
Linda, that's good news about the SS benefit payback. I hadn't realized there were 12 states involved in that! Glad you were able to get that cataract surgery--I kept my glasses and now wish I'd gotten the lenses, as you did. I'll bet you've read MANY more than 46,000 words! (More like 8-9 million, since a typical book is 80-90,000.) Book clubs are a wonderful way to keep us reading.
, I had to laugh at you naming your cars. Our GPS is Nancy, named after a rather bossy
relative.
I hope the car wasn't bossy, Linda (some are!). Our cars are named for Nancy and Ned, of the Nancy Drew series, which Bill and I worked on together in the early years of our writing partnership. I think these are the 3rd Nancies and the 2nd Neds. 🤣
Thank you for bringing your readers with you into your new interests, Susan. It is a testament to your character and skill as a writer that we will follow you anywhere you care to lead us ❣️
Thank you, Maria. And thanks to you for your wise star-work and your guidance through this difficult year. (And cookies! ❤️)
I agree with Maria! xo
Nice recap of a tough year on many levels. I especially enjoyed the many photos. Looking forward to seeing more of your writing efforts in my email.
Kathy, it's been a year of big changes for you--I admire your bravery! And your commitment to your writing. I'm so glad you've found a home here on Substack.
I am happy to leave 2025 behind! What a year of shocking and horrific behavior by our lawless administration. The destruction of our democracy at home and of our leadership abroad has been one of the saddest events of my lifetime. I am trying to be hopeful that 2026 will bring out brave leadership that can stop the abuses of ICE and open up the concentration camps here to inspection, allowing due process for all those arrested here. I am still in shock that our Congress and Supreme Court is so lacking in moral fiber, so corrupt, that they have mainly looked the other way this year. Here’s hoping that we can rectify the damage going forward. I do believe that is the will of the majority.
It's truly unimaginable, isn't it? The path of destruction this one man and his followers have plowed through our government and its institutions. I think we're all in shock, as you are. The backstops we thought existed--the Congress, SCOTUS--have been corrupted. And with you, we hope. And keep doing what we can.
Looking forward to a new year with more heart and courage expressed in our beloved country. Thanks, Susan, for your astute guidance through difficult, hateful times. Wishing you joy and continued blessings.
Kate, wishing you the very best with that wonderful new book. Can't wait to read it!
Susan, thank you for your good wishes for my heroine's book! Can you believe that on this first morning of the new year I'm sending my manuscript to my assigned editor at Sibylline Press? Auspicious!
That's wonderful, Kate! An auspicious day for this new project--I know exactly how you feel! Congratulations. 🍾🎈💕
May the New Years be kinder and gentler for us all! Thank you, Susan, for leading and teaching!