It’s 2026. Can you believe it? When the clock struck midnight and the fireworks went off, the neighborhood was celebrating but I was left with an uneasy feeling. I was reminded once again how precious our lives are. The sands of time are fleeting and they are not trickling, they’re pouring.
We left the past behind and I felt as though I had lost a part of myself, even though I had some good accomplishments. I always write a bucket list for the new year ahead and try to plan my future. As I looked at the previous bucket list and checked off what I did and didn’t do, I vowed to do better this time around. When I look ahead to the unknown, I feel a sense of wonder. What should I expect? What should I do? Am I doing what God wants me to do? I know I can only live one day at a time and need to make the best of it. If I can live in the present, it I can treat everyone with kindness, love, and respect, then everything should fall into place, right? Sometimes things don’t go as planned. But those things were my plans, not God’s. I am trusting him to guide me in the right direction. When things pop up out of my control, I know my faith will give me the strength to get through anything. So, as I plan the year ahead, I will just live a day at a time and follow the path that’s put before me.
I honestly don’t know what to share with you this month. It’s been an odd January. We still have no snow at home and the temperature is quite warm. That’s not a good thing because that means we’re heading for another extremely hot summer. But on the other hand, we aren’t shoveling snow or driving in icy conditions.
On a sad note, my father went to be with the Lord this month. He was a Korean War Veteran and lived to the ripe old age of ninety-one. Though my parents divorced when I was young, my father taught me many things. Dad was the caretaker of the Cedar Hill Cemetery in East Millstone, New Jersey for over sixty-five years. When I was ten, he taught me how to drive the Wheel Horse tractor so I could help him mow the lawn at the cemetery. He shared his love of fishing with me and taught me how to bait a hook and cast a line. He took me to our cabin on Flying Pond in Maine where my love for the outdoors of fishing, swimming, and water skiing were born. We always had fun together. I inherited Dad’s strong work ethics and the meaning and rewards of a hard day’s work. He taught me when to speak up for myself and when to keep silent, though I was never good at the latter. He told me to keep an open mind and give others a chance. He taught me to be a strong, independent, and resilient young women, and to always follow my dreams. But the most important things he taught me were how to love and that it’s never too late to say you’re sorry. I have so many happy memories and he will always be in my heart.
We have a house guest right now for a week and she makes us very happy. Cricket! Her humans are celebrating a birthday while we are enjoying her company. I think we will go to the dog park today and play!
Not a very long newsletter this time, but we are searching for markets and trips to take. In the meantime, Norbert is working on his Toys of a Boy show while we keep an eye out for just the right venue to show his work at. I am writing my stories and looking for more ways to publish them.
Until next time, keep planning and make the most of your time. As we know going into the new year, time flies by quickly. God bless.
Skip’s mom, Cb
My father, Sgt. John Bittle USMC
Dad loved fishing at an early age.
Dad grew bigger and so did the fish.
Basic training
In the field
Me & Dad
Me & Dad
Me, Tim, & Dad
Fishing on Flying Pond, Maine
Fishing on Flying Pond, Maine
Doing what he loved to do. Flying Pond, Maine
His 1929 Model A Pickup
Dad’s 75th Birthday
Dog sitting. Cricket!