2023: A Photolog

Inspired by Barb Dalton

Barb Dalton started it, Allisonn Church was inspired, and now here I am too — documenting my 2023 in photos.

January

This is my co-worker and friend Alanna. We were hired together in October of 2020 and sit across the hallway from each other. She’s a staple in my work life. I took this photo of her in January, she gave birth in February.

As I write this, our beloved supervisor has just left us for another local college. It’s a rocky time for most of us. I am optimistic though, because our current team is the best I’ve had in my work-life memory. I tend to feel strongly about people. If someone rubs me the right way, they’ll know it.

February

The Minnesota Orchestra hosts one of the Harry Potter movies annually. My partner and I went to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2023. The movie is played on the big screen and the orchestra plays the music live, in sequence with the film. We liked it so much that we bought tickets for the next Harry Potter film in 2024.

I tend to hold back from buying tickets to events, not wanting to pay the price. But as you can see — this was the highlight of the month!

March

We fostered a few dogs in 2023. Marian is a German Shepherd-Labrador mix and Gabe is a French Bulldog. They were sweethearts but oh mylanta Marian would scream in the morning as I’d try to get Gabe ready to go outside. It made me wonder if I can have children, the screaming/crying HAS to get to people, right?! It’s impossible to think clearly.

Gabe marked his territory everywhere unless he was wearing a belly band (similar to a diaper)— typical for intact male fosters. He also would not leave my female Boston Terrier alone. She’d hide from him upstairs, where he could not reach her. This reminds me of how much work fostering is, but you know what I’m going to say right? It’s worth it.

April

We were in Vallirana, Spain for our friends’ wedding. We all stayed in the same farmhouse where the wedding was held then walked to a family-owned restaurant nearby. The meal was incredible — drinks, coffee, more than 15 tapas, entrees, and dessert for 10 people, all totaling $300.

These flowers and the table represent the aftermath of the ceremony. Messy, detailed, intimate with few friends and multiple talents coming together to make the day feel magical.

May

I didn’t love Rome but it was still significant for May. It impacted my travel style. I learned to be more vigilant about Airbnb reviews and mindful of group outings — most importantly when crowds and high temperatures/direct sun are involved. The Italians do a lot of good too. I could wander the Trastevere neighborhood for a good while.

June

I’ve spent a lot of time at the local pottery shop in 2023. I made these pieces during two different beginner classes. I have learned if one has the opportunity to take a ceramics class in school, they should do it. I did not take advantage of this and therefore dream of having the time and opportunity to practice throwing pottery. I’m taking another class this Saturday — which leaves me in awe of potters. I’ll never question a $45 mug again.

July

My friend Han’s birthday gift to me this year was helping me to remove the carpet in the second story of my home. I‘m sure she was tired of me complaining about it! I would have stalled another year if she wouldn’t have pushed me to do it. She asked which day I was free then brought over tools and iced coffees on a weekend day. This led to us struggling through the humidity and attempts not to cut ourselves with box cutters. We finished within three or four hours. Han’s work ethic cannot be matched.

I learned ripping up the carpet is the easy part. Then comes pulling staples out of the wood (which are everywhere) and somehow lifting the glue from the wood. But what an impressive birthday gift — something I wouldn’t think of, I am not the most “handy” person. My friend used her talents to help me.

August

I have frequently-visited happy places. One location is my friend Emily’s childhood home in Dixon, Illinois. Janet, Emily, and I have been friends since we worked for the same airline and went through a month-long training together. We see each other as often as we can, which isn’t often enough.

Here Emily is downstairs sleeping and Janet and I are soaking (literally) in the morning rain. I have always loved the rain. The last several years of drought in the Midwest have made me eager for any precipitation that occurs.

September

Camping in the Boundary Waters is another example of my perspective being stretched in 2023. Thankfully, our friends were regulars at BWCA and borrowed us some gear. My partner was all in from day one — I’m not sure why I was so hesitant. The rain was not my friend this time but I now know what to expect —complete silence and solitude, reading in hammocks, canoeing, and swimming. We’ll return in 2024.

October

Not so far from the Boundary Waters is this coffee shop among the cedar trees. We took my mom to the North Shore of Minnesota for her 70th birthday gift. My partner and I are regulars here apart from the winter months but it was my mom’s first time. We played cards, drank a lot of coffee, ate chowders and trout, and stayed in a local photographer’s loft. Here’s to more experiences as gifts in 2024.

November

I want to hike/walk more in 2024. The summer slipped away from me and I itched to keep getting outside well into November. I bought my Minnesota State Park pass and a Regional Park pass later in the season. We’ve had a warm fall and winter here in Minnesota so I haven’t froze but I’m hesitant to go outside when it’s cold. I’m usually not very intentional when it comes to layering and preparing for the weather.

This walk was beautiful, as you can see — the sun makes all of the difference. The nature center where this was taken rehabilitates animals, such as raptors. They host homing pigeons and other animals on site too. It’s only ten minutes from my house and free — how lucky is that?

December

I returned to Tucson this month. It was exactly how I left it — serene yet festive. I had ideas of sitting outside and watching the stars at night (Green Valley has rules limiting light use) but I was far more chilled than I expected once the sun went down. The pink sunsets were just as I remembered, though. I’m already thinking of my next trip back here. Which is exactly what I do — keep frequenting the same spots. I like the familiar I suppose.

I’m finding themes to 2023 I had not recognized until now — experiences as gifts, valuing my time outdoors even into the chillier months, prioritizing my relationships, and allowing myself bouts of the familiar. My future self will appreciate this documentation of my memories.

Thank you to both Allisonn and Barb for inspiring me to find one photo to represent each month in 2023. I’d like to see your 2023 photos too!

If you haven’t seen their 2023 photologs, please check them out. You won’t be sorry, of course: