It is twilight, not really, as the sun has sunk behind our slope, but not down on the Pacific horizon, no, not down on the western horizon. If i wished to climb up to our flag, i could watch it set, possibly catch a “green flash.”

But i am grilling filets tonight. i sit on the small patio outside our kitchen. i earlier marinated the steaks. The grill is heating up. Charcoal is my only choice for grilling. i link my bluetooth speaker to my “library” and play my “oldies” from most genres before “rap” and “hip hop.” Maureen is in the kitchen cooking the sides and preparing the salad.

It was cool today for the Southwest corner. As the sun fades behind our slope, it gets cooler fast. i add a Navy watch cap and a thick green hoodie for warmth. Still, i sip from my martini while waiting for the charcoal to heat up. It does get cooler as i listen to my music, “shuffled” to guarantee all genres will play. As i write, Nina Simone is singing one of my favorite songs of hers, “You Can Have Him.”

It is a time for thought, peaceful thought. 

i think life ain’t all that bad. If the next round of rain holds off, i should get in a round of golf on New Year’s Day. Approaching 82, a duffer’s golf game doesn’t get better, just shorter and shakier. The game is now about being with long-time friends, military men with unlimited stories to tell over a beer or two after a round. We call ourselves, appropriately “curmudgeons,” frequently using the term “asshole” as a compliment.

The sun has set, head down over the pacific about seven miles away, a figure that was important when i was officer of the deck: “hull down” meant a ship was more than seven miles away with only her superstructure or, at night, her running lights visible.

i look back toward the kitchen. Maureen is rinsing vegetables at the kitchen sink before drying them by spinning them in the collander. She is a great cook, a kitchen engineer with preciseness, just like her dad was as a mechanical engineer. Her salads are the best i’ve ever had anywhere.

She remains beautiful. Her movements there in the kitchen make me feel glad, lucky i must admit. Our two daughters are happily married. One is a successful manager. The other is on her rise to success. We don’t see them or our grandson enough. Knowing they are secure and living good lives is enough.

That New Year’s golf game is only a few days away. Then comes 2026. Our travels won’t be as long or often as they used to be. Our driving will be slower and, for me, more careful. i already avoid freeways when possible. My aches will increase. i will start to shuffle more than walk. My balance requires me to be careful of how and where i walk.

It’s all okay. i am alive with a wonderful mate (the seaman connotation, “mate” is a nice word but much better when it concerns us).

i hope all of you have a successful and healthy 2026 and find happiness and peace beyond the next horizon.