Hope 2023 has brought you some good moments. 

Summer brought an unprecedented number, and variety, of hummingbirds. I was mixing a quart of nectar for them, each day.

Blue, my bulldog, is slowly emerging from puppyhood. He hasn't eaten any pillows or rugs in months. He's less inclined to chase guests' rolling luggage, although he still defends us against vacuum cleaners, and leaf blowers.

Cassiel, my 12-year-old pitbull, has had a new lease on life after receiving a state-of-the-art monthly injection. No longer walking like an old lady, she spars with Blue, and enjoys stealing his toys.  

The Heart and Wings Retreat Center now has air conditioning, which was installed just in time for summer. 

I escaped some of the heat by visiting friends in Maine, and attending my 45^th Yale reunion. I sang in a couple of groups there, one of which included Yale football fight songs. My father used to sing those to me as lullabys, when I was a girl. I felt I’d came full circle by performing them in four-part harmony on the Woolsey Hall auditorium stage. 

Closer to home, I’ve just completed a tuneful couple of weeks, performing in the Silver Chorale and HiLo Silvers’ Christmas concerts.

I try not to take my blessings for granted in these tumultuous times. May 2024 bring us all peace.

Love,

Azaima