Back to Blogging

Hello,

Sorry to take an unexpected 2 years away from blogging, but at the time I was overwhelmed with work stress, including  overworking at home during the pandemic. In March 2022 (just a few months ago), I decided to retire early. That was a fortuitous move, since about 40 percent of my company’s income was from Russian clients (oil and gas consulting is the business of my ex-company). Shortly after I left, my ex-company decided to lay off 21 people. I could say that was the first layoff ever for this 80-plus-years-old company, but during the pandemic, the management decided to fire 14 people. Yes, during a pandemic. At that time, there was no good reason to lay off people as the company was extremely prosperous. Anyhow, I was reassessing my life at the beginning of 2022 and since I was due to turn 60 in May, I decided to just retire and get away from all of the stress. Who knew Russia was going to invade Ukraine at that time? Not me. I am not sure if I would have survived the layoffs, but I am extremely glad I did not have to witness the firings. People only had 10 minutes to leave the premises. Their offices were going to be packed up and their personal items delivered. Oh, another detail: the firings were done in a Zoom meeting and were not done by the CEO or the President of the company. They had the CFO to do the dirty work. Ugh.

I also have not traveled very much, but did manage to go to Austin twice (from Dallas). Also, a non-Hemingway friend and I attended the yearly symposium in Ketchum, Idaho in 2021. That trip was a lifesaver, as it was fabulous to get away to somewhere extremely beautiful (it was September). I had a good time seeing some of the Hemingway people that I adore and met some new fabulous scholars. We also took a short trip to Cape Cod before that. I had never been to Boston and definitely want to spend a lot more time in Boston (and visit the Hemingway Collection at the JFK Library).

Also, during the pandemic I finally decided to get another dachshund. This fellow is named Django and he is a wire-haired dachshund. Django is almost 2 and he and his best friend, Winnie the Wienie (a short-haired piebald girl dachshund) are great friends. Winnie lives a floor above us in the building where we live. Dachshunds are the perfect small dog for a condo or high rise. On my floor, three dogs live in 3 units of a total of 10 units: Ten, Django, and Ella. So my building is dog-friendly and Django is a happy guy.

One of my friends that has moved into the building has opened an art gallery in the Design District of Dallas. The art gallery is the R. Groden Gallery by S and G Fine Arts. I occasionally help the gallery with some easy tasks.

I am still involved with my Native Prairies Association of Texas group and with the Master Naturalists of Texas. Summer in Texas in very hot and now is the time to schedule or attend events either early or late in the day. The meetings for these are mostly hybrid now; you can attend on line or in person.

Ok, I just wanted to update you on where I have been. I will be traveling again in a few weeks, so expect some pictures. I will be posting more often again . . .

Cheers, Denise

PS. You can comment but my comments are not showing up for some reason. Looking into it!