2024 into 2025

So...
How was it?
How was your 2024?

I'm going with a solid -- meh.
It's okay to have just survived 2024, or December, or yesterday, for that matter.

I don't know that 2024 is something worth celebrating, but it really wasn't a bad year. I don't care for living in the past, but recognize the value of retrospect. I would say that my greatest lesson or most valued improvement of the year is learning to practice gratitude better. Living in the moment has really helped with being grateful for where I am in life. 

This morning I am having my coffee and blogging from a local coffee shop in south Springfield. It's cool out and a two week blast of cold weather is on its way. I'm going to need coffee for home in a couple of days and I just decided that a coffee shop Americano and breakfast sandwich would be good today. I'll pick up my usual Ethiopian bulk beans from a local shop before I head home. I'll manage a meditative quiet time later today as Traveller's House coffee shop is quite busy and there is a significant level of conversational chatter.
The different groups of people are interesting to watch. The overall energy is good -- after all, it is a coffee shop! 

I recognize the privilege I have to be able to be retired and have the means to splurge on a coffee shop breakfast and coffee. I've just started reading about the history of coffee and coffee shops in a book that Hannah got me for Christmas.

I'm going to enjoy the history, the cultural aspects, and the recipes covered in this book.
Maybe 2025 will include regular blogging from coffee shops. 
Or maybe I'll be able to meet up with a few others for regular coffee shop meetings and conversations. That might be a thing I could do. 
Hmmm...

Thanks for stopping by Out of My Hat in 2024. I hope to have better content and more encouraging posts in 2025.

John