The Best of......

The year 2024 is in the books. It was a beige year for me and I have no complaints. I do not crave roller-coaster rides through life so I am content to chug along on the kiddie-train. It is just my speed.

Here are few "Best-of" highlights for 2024.

1) Best unexpected purchase: Necessity is the mother of invention. After twisting my ankle due to a curb encounter, I was forced to look for assistance. Enter my new Leki trekking poles. Not only did they get me through a few hobbly weeks so I could continue birding, but I am bonding with them post-injury. I use the steel-tip option when I am navigating icy sidewalk treks. I also feel they have anti-dog potential. Red Ryder BB guns aren't the only thing that can poke an eye out. (Sorry, canine lovers.)

2) Best book surprise: I recently finished a book I should have read years ago but never took the time to do so. It is a 19th century gothic classic and it is a book that many, many movies, cartoons and spin-offs have riffed on. Gothic science fiction is not my genre but I needed to lay to rest my pre-conceived notions of the plot. The book is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. There wasn't a single green monster with bolts coming out his neck in the book. Who knew? The story is rich with themes of good, evil and unchecked scientific advancement. One caution, however. It is a Debbie Downer so prepare yourself accordingly. I jumped right into a mystery thriller about unfortunate abductions. Good grief. I need a palette cleanser.

3) Best new toy: After coveting this kitchen gadget for years, I finally pulled the trigger and purchased a Thermapen thermometer. I have been limping along with a little, slow-measuring, hard-to-read meat thermometer for years. I feel the numbers on the dial were getting smaller over the years along with the real possibility of accuracy problems. I am loving my new Thermapen with instant measurements, large digital numbers and, best of all, backlighting to assist my old eyes. Bring on the technology.

4) Best birding moment: Without a doubt it was my up-close-and-personal encounter with a Long-eared Owl in the middle of a sunny, fall day. He and I shared a mutual understanding of respect and wonder. I suspect I will not experience such a moment again so it will be logged into my memory file labeled "Cool Bird Friends".

5) Best new recipe: Selecting a best recipe is somewhat akin to choosing a favorite child. It really cannot be done. I try many recipes throughout the year and only a few of them are allowed into my on-going recipe file. In the eternal quest to find ways to use a bumper crop of zucchini, I found a recipe for Lemon Zucchini Bread. It is a departure from my usual spice zucchini breads or chocolate cake (delicious, too!). My favorite way to eat zucchini is still on the grill but there is a limit to how much can be eaten in one sitting. Quick breads have the added bonus of easy storage in the freezer for later use. As a sidebar, my husband's vote for best recipe was a recipe for French-style Pork Stew. It has more pork products in in than is probably legal but it was certainly a hearty bowl of goodness on a cold winter day.

Happy 2025, my friends! Embrace the beige, fuchsia, chartreuse, lapis or whatever color comes your way.