This Quarter-End Report is late. I suppose that’s what happens when the pressure of deadlines falls away!

The last quarter of 2025 was a dazzling adventure. I tried to approach my life from a position of strength. The greater margins I have now – more time, less stress – make it possible to be more open and to take more risks. That has enriched my life.

Six years ago I would not have recognized this version of myself.

Maybe because there was so much happening and so much growth, it has been hard to distill the quarter into individual moments. But something would be lost if I didn’t try.

So I’m trying.

Here is my Q4 2025 Quarterly Report.

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Experiences

Desert gold: Marveled at the golden aspens in Flagstaff and the golden cottonwoods in Utah; explored petroglyphs and ancient ruins in Bears Ears (gorgeous) and Bluff; drove past remarkable graffiti and rock formations on long, lonely roads in the Navajo Nation; made dozens of stream crossings with friends and a happy dog; stood in the footprints of dinosaurs; basked on a sunny porch among the extraordinary rock formations of Castle Valley.

Mexico and Italy: Toured Frida Kahlo’s house, the Museo Nacional de Antropología, and the dazzling Borghese Gallery; was awestruck by the Domus Aurea; trudged around Palatine Hill for hours, gaping, with my mind on fire; appreciated time with my family – the original four – in Tuscany; enjoyed extraordinary wine and cheese.

Arizona Home: Got a pretzel mustache and a fake tattoo; hiked to the petroglyphs on Shaw Butte and in my beloved Tonto Forest; photographed a wildflower bloom in North Mountain Park; enjoyed many hours in my backyard hot tub; went out on the town in my Halloween costume.

Learning and creating

Food and gardening. Failed at candy apples, succeeded at baked caramel apples; unexpectedly succeeded at growing okra out of season, rehabilitating mint, and re-blooming an orchid; harvested so much chard.

Movement. Dance therapy with Dr. Snake/Rattle B, and with friends at Blue Martini; refined my workout routine; let myself get a little carried away.

Forward Action: Hosted a 50th-birthday karaoke party and a just-for-fun karaoke party; submitted a job application for the first time in 30 years; drove on winding, foggy roads in Italy and got us safely home!

Kindness received

A tour guide saying, “Madam, the Domus Aurea may be cold, but my heart is warm”; a family serving pumpkin spice lattes in the middle of nowhere on the Navajo Nation; patient drivers in so many places; my sister calmly navigating us; my parents transforming awkward strangers into friends with their warmth; an old friend offering care, attention, and unconditional acceptance; a new friend opening his space to us; gifts of seeds and freedom.

My own vulnerability and kindness being received and met with reciprocity.

Looking ahead

My motto for 2026 is New Seeds, New Blooms. I feel the need to start sowing again!