It’s Sunday, December 29. I am in my cozy, flannel PJs, sitting in my favorite chair drinking a double espresso as I begin to write my last post of the year, looking back on 2024. Music is playing, as it often is in our home.
Palaces of Montezuma – Nick Cave
January 2024 was a busy month. I was finishing up packing and preparing to leave my NYC apartment. I was sick for much of the month but still working hard. Lover and I were also nearing a two year anniversary and heading up to the Urban Cowboy lodge in the Catskills to celebrate at the end of the month. Through it all I played “Palaces of Montezuma” by Nick Cave a ridiculous number of times on Spotify. I had fallen in love with the song.
February makes me shiver….
When Lover and I first became an “item” we would sing along to this classic. Occasionally, we still do. How can you not?
The Ballad of Billy the Kid – Billy Joel
“From a town know as Oyster Bay Long Island”
What was going on in March?
Well, I was getting used to being a commuter and living in a new space. I was now officially a Long Island gal. And it makes me very happy to say that I live in the same town as the King of Long Island – Billy Joel
The Whole of the Moon – The Waterboys
“I pictured a rainbow, you held it in your hands….”
In April we were out in Greenport, NY celebrating Lover’s birthday, eating oysters at the Little Creek Oyster Farm and enjoying an overnight in an intimate farmhouse room at the beautiful Rose Hill Winery. That month it seemed we were listening a lot of the Waterboys.
Now and Then There’s a Fool Such as I – Hank Snow
May was a month filled with sadness.
Richard Anson Brower Sr.
April 30, 1933 to May 23, 2024
June: The start of the summer season in Sea Cliff. The beach is open, the shaved ice place is happening, and Memorial Park is the place to be for the nightly sunset. According to Spotify, Eileen Jewell was in my top 5 artists for 2024, so this song seems particularly appropriate.
When the Levee Breaks – Robert Plant and Allison Krause
July is always a fun time – beach, lobster rolls, and concerts. We were lucky to see Robert Plant with Allison Kraus and Bob Dylan at Jones Beach. Sadly we missed Willie Nelson since he was ill, but got to see his son, who sounds just like him.
I had never heard this version of an old blues song song prior to the concert, but it really touched me. Life sure is precious.
Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
“To the place I belong, West Virginia, mountain mama.”
Near the end of August we had another road trip to West Virginia. It has been great to reconnect with my country roots.
We kicked things off in September with a birthday weekend on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. The word “Chincoteague” is said to be an Indian name meaning beautiful land across the water. It is a very special place.
One of my gifts was Nick Cave’s new album called “Wild God.” We have seen Nick twice and will see him again in April of 2025. If you aren’t familiar with Nick Cave, I highly recommend giving a listen and subscribe to his Red Hand Files.
No, he isn’t paying me, I love to share things that move me and he is one of those people.
When I Paint My Masterpiece – Bob Dylan
And then there was October. For half of the month we were in Italy, living La Dolce Vita. We brought a little Bob Dylan along. While enjoying Negronis and walking those ancient streets, it seemed everywhere we looked we there was another masterpiece.
November is always time to give thanks and express gratitude and appreciation for our family and friends. Love and gratitude to you all. I would like to give a special shout out to Aimee at Dreams West. She and I met on August 8 (a significant day for meditation and manifestation) and weeks later I was getting ready to showcase my photography at Dreams West and I was on the books to host my first Vision Board workshop. I am grateful for these new opportunities. Let’s all always remember to Dream Big.
This month’s song has no particular reason to be here except that I think it is quite beautiful.
Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit – Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks
I kid you not. Lover has about 3 days worth of Christmas music – songs from the ridiculous to the sublime – stored on his iPhone. And so, as of December 1st, the songs start playing in the house and in the car and keep playing until the end of the year.
To add to this year’s holiday merriment, my good friends Michelle and Marybeth joined me mid-month to experience Sea Cliff’s 3rd Annual Wassail Day.
We got a fine tree and decorated it with joy, of course while listening to endless Christmas tunes.
Diamonds are Forever – Shirley Bassey
And then something magical happened on Christmas Eve: A toy helicopter landed in our apartment and it led me to a box with a beautiful diamond ring.
We look forward to quietly celebrating the New Year with a nice family dinner and our annual NYE tradition to ring 2025 with Sport Murphy’s musical podcast.
Wishing you all a very happy and healthy New Year. May the new year be filled with much love, light, and laughter all year long.
For those of you who have been reading my posts since January 2024 – thank you for following along. I truly appreciate the encouragement and support. More to come in 2025. Stay tuned. Xo, T
PS – Follow the link below to listen to a Spotify playlist of all the songs of 2024:
TL's Moments 