This week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge is all about sharing some of our favorite images from 2020. I have a lot of favorites, so for this post, I’ll stick to photos I have not yet published in this blog.
It’s been a rough year. I won’t deny it. 2020 was rife with difficulties, angst, despair, and uncertainty for me. It’s been surreal and dystopian for me, just as it has been for many others. But mixed in with all the challenges were many moments filled with beauty, gratitude, love, and appreciation. I even got some traveling in before things got crazy.
I started the year housesitting in New Mexico. I spent a little time hanging out with the birds at Bosque del Apache before heading west to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.
February was the calm before the storm. I landed a dream housesit, 6 weeks in Mendocino County, California, home of redwoods and fabulous wild beaches. I’ve been doing a lot of housesitting the last 3 winters, taking full advantage of my opportunities to explore all the wonders of the West. This one was the best housesit ever. I cherished every day.
The homeowners came back a week early due to fears about Covid. I decided to stick with my original plan and camp out in the desert for the spring. I made an end run to the Sierras to avoid California’s urban areas, where the very first cases were being reported.
I thought I had a good plan – to stay isolated and healthy and still enjoy the flowers. Then they started to close all the public lands. I ended up in lockdown in Las Vegas. This was especially surreal for me, a woman who had scrupulously avoided urban areas her entire adult life.
I was desperate for a touch of nature. The parks in town were too tame and too crowded. I found my wildland fix in some of the wastelands on the edge of town, the neglected and desperate dumping grounds in the desert where people abandon old tires, refrigerators, possibly bodies ( after all, this IS Vegas we’re talking about here). I tried to look past the graffiti-covered rocks and bags of garbage, cherishing the brilliant wildflowers growing there that thrived despite the abuse of the landscape. They were lifesavers for me, helping to ground me when I was overcome with despair.
The most important lifesaver, though, was friendship. This pandemic really helped me realize that I was loved and that people cared about me, at a time when I needed that support most.
I headed north again in mid-April. I wasn’t sure of my destination. Some of the public lands were opening up. At least I could get out of the city. I’d been warned that my summer job was canceled due to Covid and I was torn between going north to Alaska, where I had a home and a community but no prospects for employment, or staying south where there was at least some possibility of finding work.
I interviewed with Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in northern California and spent a couple of weeks camping in northern California and southern Oregon, waiting to hear whether or not I’d landed the job. While waiting, I got a call from my boss in Alaska. There WAS a job for me! I could go home!
Summer was subdued but a wonderful respite. One thing 2020 has certainly taught me has been to appreciate every day, every moment because tomorrow is not promised. I am incredibly grateful for all the good in my life. Words cannot express how grateful I am for my home, my friends, my family, my community, and the wonderful life I’ve been fortunate enough to live.
With fall I faced the uncertainty and angst again. Should I go south where I would be more likely to find work, or stay in Alaska, where I have a safety net of friends? I hate the cold and dark, but I felt travel was irresponsible and the political chain of events I could foresee that is playing out now tipped the scales. I decided to stay.
It hasn’t been easy. I thought I’d landed a job, even filled out the hiring paperwork, then saw it canceled due to Covid. Lodging options I’d lined up fell through twice. SAD syndrome struck, and I’ve had my moments of doubt and despair.
But once again, the love of my friends is pulling me through. I know I’m not alone and that many of us are struggling. I’m doing much better than I was a month ago and I feel hopeful about whatever the future will bring.
I think about the lessons that 2020 has taught me. Lessons about kindness and compassion. Lessons about appreciation and gratitude. Lessons about being present in the moment. 2020 has made me realize how much I love and cherish all the wonderful people in my life. I try not to take so much for granted these days.
There have been many moments of great beauty for me this past year, despite the craziness and uncertainty. All the same, I’m happy to see the end of 2020. I hope we all find better days ahead.
This may be your best photo essay yet! Thank you Dianne!
Thank you, Maria. What a lovely comment! I’m so glad you liked it!
I cannot agree with Maria because ALL of your posts are amazing Dianne – but yes, this one is very special because you have opened your heart to us. The beauty of the world you’ve surrounded yourself with is incredible and you’ve captured it wonderfully. It expresses your sentiments beautifully. Wishing you peace and beauty as well as good health in 2021.
Thank you, Tina, for your kind words.
Lovely images.Hopefully 2021 will be filled with beauty friends employment and well being.
Thank you, Vicki. Every day is a gift.
Hi Dianne, Your photos are beautiful and words thoughtful and moving. It had been a crazy year, say the least. I echo “the lesson of 2020′ that you mentioned here, and it will stay with me for a long while.
I love the last image especially, it says much of the light at the end of tunnel for 2021. Thank you!
Thanks Amy. I’m so glad you liked it!
Thanks for your post Dianne, I enjoyed reading it as always. I envy your cool location in Alaska, yesterday Perth, Australia reached 42.1C 🥵🥵🥵🥵
Yikes!!! I’m not a fan of extreme cold OR heat! I prefer temperate temps. Maybe next year…
Wow, Dianne. Your post was a much needed affirmation of the beauty in the world and the power of friendship and optimism. Thank you, thank you.
You’re welcome, Patti. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Great photos. Unique. Well done.
Thanks, John.
All of your photos are wonderful and your loved by all your friends. I always look forward to seeing your photos and what is going on in your life.
Thank you, Retha!
Beautiful images for a tough year!
Thank you, Anne.
Wonderful recap of your year, full of ups and downs like life is meant to be, even though it’s not fun when we’re in the downs. I hope you have more ups in 2021.
Beautiful images and words of wisdom, Dianne. I liked the color and composition in your first photo. I also liked the truck–it has a lot of personality!
Thanks, Siobhan! I swear that truck is the inspiration for Maynard in the Pixar movie Cars. Gold Point COULD be Radiator Springs…