A Time to Give Thanks
As of this writing, which is about a week before Thanks-giving, I thought it would be a good time to offer thanks and acknowledge a few things that have contributed to the magazine and/or to me personally.
Thank you to the readers of Carmel Magazine. We appreciate you and hope that we bring you something of value in exchange for your valuable time spent.
Thank you to our advertisers who support the magazine and allow us to produce a good product while hopefully benefitting from our readership through the exposure.
Thank you to the salespeople, the writers, the photographers, John Arico, Dilan MacHardy, Scott and Lisa MacDonald and Amelia Ward, who all have a tremendous part in this magazine.
Thank you to Christy Creel and the crew at Liberty Press for making us look good.
Thank you to my wife Kelli for all she does to produce this magazine and make it look great. I could write this entire pub note on her. Amazing talent! I am so fortunate to have her.
Thank you to my amazing mom who continues to strive to be alive and do the things necessary to keep it going. Such an inspiration.
Thank you to my brother Dave for all you do for our mom and for us.
Thank you to my sisters Cherie and Kathy for the same as above.
Thank you to my daughters Audrey, Jessica and Allyn, and my sons Jon and Evan. All of them–so different from one another–yet so special in what they have to offer the world. Best kids ever.
Thank you to Elias, Josephine and Jude for making your grandpa smile.
Thank you to my dogs and cats for the unconditional love and joy you bring.
Thank you to my friends and bandmates, love you all.
This past year was good for some and not so much for others, but I think for most of us, 2021 was better than 2020. The ongoing COVID-19 issues combined with the escalating inflation and rising costs of living are no walk in the park. In fact, the supply chain shortages and volatile political climate and global climate in general make things a bit daunting when looking ahead. That said, we all have great things to look forward to as well.
We all know the feeling of inspiration we get from being in an amazing new place or that old familiar place that makes us feel at home. That uplifting inspired feeling should be a daily thing. Wish we could bottle it.
My mother is 92 years old and a recent conversation with her got me thinking. She sounded great and was very upbeat. She was happy to be back in her familiar place, which is her home. This, after a recent stint at a rehab facility, which followed up a trip to the ER.
I asked her how she was spending her days now that she was home again, and she said she had been keeping very busy. PT and OT, musical performances, dining a lot, occasional scrabble games with friends etc. I asked if she naps much during the day, and she said she takes a couple naps, but wishes she didn’t have to as she wants to get as much possible out of each day. Her spirit and her enthusiasm are infectious and that phone call certainly lifted my spirits–knowing that she was happy because she was home.
When you go on a vacation or a business trip for a week or two, it always feels so good to get back home. In general, most people are hard to please and not totally content. My goal is to become more content and to make the necessary changes to help achieve that.
We truly live in a place that is the envy of most and has so many great things to offer, even to the most discerning individuals. A recent dinner out with some friends was really something extraordinary, as this pizza restaurant featured the music of Bruce Foreman accompanied by his lovely wife Pamela. If you appreciate the art of high-level jazz guitar, you have to catch world renowned jazz guitarist Bruce Foreman. It doesn’t get better than that. There are some great musicians living here and something to appeal to just about any taste. Please support local live music.
Happy Holidays and please support our restaurants and our advertisers and stay healthy.