Reflecting on Change

A view from Chestnut Ridge looking out towards the Kittatinny Ridge

I have been thinking about change a lot lately. Perhaps it is because I work in the areas of climate change and restoration. Or because we have seen so many changes resulting from Covid-19 and the deep partisan divides in this country. There has also been a lot of change on the campus where I work in terms of programmatic offerings, structure, personnel, and leadership. In fact, our institutional mission notes that each of us must be prepared for “transformative leadership in a world of change.” Maybe I am simply growing older and am reaching the contemplative phase of my life. 

Virginia Woolf once wrote “A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living.” I recently wrote to colleagues saying that change is inevitable and essential for institutional and personal resilience.

I live in a tiny rural community where change is not always obvious or at least seems to come at a slower pace. We have escaped (so far) the rapid development of warehouses and distribution centers that have taken over way too much open space in eastern Pennsylvania, covering once-fertile farmland and creating acres of impervious surface where idling tractor trailers sit and spew greenhouse gases and unhealthy particulate matter. Not a lot of new homes have been built around here, but some neighbors have moved on or passed on. There are still family-run farms where you can pick blueberries, strawberries, or apples or buy fresh eggs, a side of beef, or the best sweet corn harvested only a few hours earlier. At some, you can go and cut your own Christmas tree. 

The former kids in the area now have babies of their own. Some old farmhouses are falling into disrepair, perhaps because the aging population can no longer do the work and the children have moved away. Our big old farmhouse is kind of quiet with our own sons grown and living quite far away. Perhaps someday, we won't be able to keep up with the repairs and chores either.

I see changes in the landscape. Hundreds of ash trees are dead or dying thanks to an unwelcome newcomer, the Emerald Ash Borer. The old oaks aren’t faring well either, probably due to other invasive insects, acid rain, and various diseases. Old farm fields are becoming overgrown with invasive shrubs and vines that seem to produce absurd yields of berries readily eaten by birds who are looking for habitat among the changing vegetation and are very good at seed dispersal. We see lots of ticks and annoying insects, but fewer bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. 

Where a brush fire raged several years ago, we now have thick tangles of green briar complete with sharp thorns and no redeeming features that I can think of, although some say the early spring leaves are good in salads.

We went to the local firehouse breakfast this morning, perhaps for the last time. This used to be a routine first-Sunday-of-the-month tradition for our family, and for so many others. Because of Covid, these breakfasts have been scarce over the past few years. The local volunteer fire company is also short on volunteers, many long-time breakfast attendees don’t seem to be around anymore, and the younger generation has other interests. These events were always an opportunity to overhear local gossip, meet local and state politicians who were serving breakfast while campaigning, and see familiar faces – even if they were people that you didn’t know well.  

Although we have lived here for over 27 years, we are still relative newcomers compared to the families with names that have been here for generations: Borger, Silfies, Smale, Frantz, Frable, Barlieb, Greenzweig, Kunkle, and more. They are all very proud of their family history. 

When getting our breakfast tickets, the elderly woman serving as cashier surprised us when she asked David if he still plays music, recalling that he and our son (Corey) played together. That certainly wasn’t anytime recently! We have often lamented that we really don’t know many of the people in the community (in part because we work over “the mountain” in the big valley to the south), but as in many small “towns”, people know. 

At our long table, we sat across from some long-time Kunkletownians and some relatives newer to the region than us. As we ate, we shared memories and stories of things that no longer exist like the local butcher shop where you could bring a mason jar and get it filled with authentic blackstrap molasses back in the day – along with the best cuts of meat. We lamented the pending loss of this firehouse breakfast and commented on the extra-large portions we received today. I guess they are trying to clear out the pantry. One woman, who used to serve at these monthly breakfasts, has lived in her farmhouse for over 60 years. She recalled the woman who once owned the farm that we now inhabit: Kate (Catherine) Brands – a painter, educator and lover of flowers and the view of the Kittatinny Ridge that we get to cherish daily. I smiled when I thought of first meeting Kate and our good fortune to be able to “inherit” and care for her beloved property. 

Suddenly, I realized that a dear friend and colleague who paints and gardens (and writes books and teaches) has almost the same name. Brandes instead of Brands. I don't know why that never occurred to me before, but I love that connection from the past to present. 

As I write this, the early setting sun of December is illuminating the treetops at the eastern edge of our invasive-shrub-invested field, and I have a clear long view of the Kittatinny Ridge, known locally as Blue Mountain” (or “Endless Mountain” by the native people that once inhabited the region). My multi-talented friend Kate, a geologist by training, would likely tell me that this ridge forms the southern and eastern edge of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians in Pennsylvania and has undergone dramatic changes over eons, a hard-to-grasp geological timescale of millions of years rather than a few human generations. It is even harder to fathom that the Appalachians were once likely as high as the Himalayans! 

For now, I am content with the realization that I am blessed to own this little piece of farmland and old home in a quiet rural community with a long history, rich stories, and good people. But I will miss those firehouse breakfasts.

Shadow Mountain Farm

Welcome to COP27: Another year, another COP

Since 2009, Moravian University has sent a delegation of observers to the COPs (Conference of the Parties) – the annual meetings of the signatories (“Parties”) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or UNFCCC. In a welcome message to COP27 attendees, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt said: 

COP27 in the green city of Sharm El-Sheikh this year marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In the thirty years since, the world has come a long way in the fight against climate change and its negative impacts on our planet; we are now able to better understand the science behind climate change, better assess its impacts, and better develop tools to address its causes and consequences. 

I couldn’t help but be reminded of a T-shirt that youth delegates were wearing at COP15 in Copenhagen – our first COP: 

And here we are, 13 years later, still negotiating. Those teenagers are now likely in their early 30’s debating if they should have families, how to work and live in a sustainable manner, and worried about not only their future and well-being (climate grief is high), but also the fate of future generations. 

President El-Sisi continued in his message:

Thirty years and twenty-six COPs later, we now have a much clearer understanding of the extent of the potential climate crisis and what needs to be done to address it effectively. The science is there and clearly shows the urgency with which we must act regarding rapidly reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, taking necessary steps to assist those in need of support to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change, and finding the appropriate formula that would ensure the availability of requisite means of implementation that are indispensable for developing countries in making their contributions to this global effort, especially in the midst of the successive international crises, including the ongoing food security crisis exacerbated by climate change, desertification and water scarcity, especially in Africa that suffers the most impacts. 

Indeed, there is clear science about what is changing and what the likely long-term impacts of climate change will be on human health, cities, infrastructure, biodiversity, and so on. The UNFCCC, one of three “conventions” or international agreements related to the environment that came out of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, bound member states to act in the interests of human safety even in the face of scientific uncertainty. At that time, the first Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report had been published in 1990 and there was still much to understand about the science of climate change. Nonetheless, 198 countries (Parties) – including the United States – ratified the UNFCCC which was then enacted in 1994. It had as its ultimate aim to prevent “dangerous” human interference with the climate system. Now, three decades later, the three working groups of the IPCC have published the sixth assessment report (AR6, 2021 – 2022), and there is significantly better scientific information and strong consensus about the anthropogenic causes of climate change. 

There appear to be four main goals of COP27 related to mitigation, adaptation, finance, and collaboration.

1. Mitigation: As always, mitigation is a key focus -- that is, the aim to limit global warming to below 2°C, relative to pre-industrial levels. Ideally, ambitious action by all countries in the world will keep the global temperature to no more than 1.5°C warmer. Throughout the airport and on the drive to the hotel, there were signs referring to ambition to action – an apparent rallying cry for COP27. The Mitigation Work Programme (paragraph 27 of decision 1/CMA.3 of the Paris Agreement) calls for an urgent scaling up for mitigation ambition and implementation. The aim is to have countries submit lower GHG emission development strategies than their original NDCs (nationally determined contributions) by COP27 – i.e., low-emission and long-term strategies. You can learn more about this through the third webinar in a series that was developed by the Research and Independent NGOs (RINGOs), Second Nature, and the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) from October 24, 2022. 

It should be noted that a report published ahead of COP27 shows that while countries are “bending the curve of global greenhouse gas emissions downward,” efforts remain insufficient to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C by the end of the century. In other words, to avoid the worse impacts of climate change, more ambitious goals and action are needed. Interestingly, according to a report from the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (IISD), 

COP 26 President Alok Sharma reflected on achievements made at, and since, COP 26, noting that over 90% of the global economy is now covered by net-zero targets. 

In contrast, the chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Hoesung Lee, confirmed on November 6th that the world is not on track to meet the 1.5°C target. Alas, the political posturing and the science are at odds. Shocking.

2. Adaptation: The original framework recognized that climate change impacts will be inevitable and thus there was a need for adaptation as well as mitigation: 

We must plan for the adaptation of natural and human systems to the unavoidable impacts of a warming climate. 

In an IPPC event at COP27 entitled "Assessing adaptation needs: Findings from the IPCC Working Group II contribution to its Sixth Assessment Report," adaptation needs were defined as "circumstances requiring action to ensure safety of population and security of assets in response to climate impacts." This includes adapting to extreme weather events and enhancing resilience of communities, including those most vulnerable to the impacts. Ideally, there should be a focus on disaster and risk reduction. Assessing adaptation needs is best done at the local and regional levels; for instance, what is needed to adapt to areas prone to flooding is quite different from what regions dealing with extreme drought should be doing. Coastal areas and small islands have unique challenges due to sea level rise, salinization, and storm surge damage. The process should be participatory in nature – utilizing local expertise and indigenous knowledge. This is not the stuff of academic, peer-reviewed publications. The need for a greater focus on adaptation has become more evident the longer we delay ambitious mitigation measures. In the 6th assessment report of the IPCC, there is increased attention on maladaptation – unintended negative impacts from adaptive responses such as having plantation forests (versus native forests) that are monocultures, absorb less carbon, and diminish biodiversity. Currently, there is very little evidence of implementation of truly transformative adaptation measures to date and there has been little monitoring and evaluation for accountability and learning on what works and what does not. 

In just two days, I have heard quite a bit about putting "people at the center" of negotiations and actions and "climate-resilient development." At the IPCC event, it was noted that adaptation cannot be addressed in isolation from mitigation and sustainable development; or in the words of one of the IPCC WG II authors, Siri Eriksen: “We cannot adapt our way out of climate change.” Eriksen went on to discuss the need for an integrated process across society. 

3. Finance: Countries have yet to achieve the finance goals of the Paris Agreement (2015) of annual contributions of USD 100 billion. There are existing (and sometimes unmet) pledges dating back to Copenhagen (COP15, 2009) and Cancun (COP16, 2010). Such finance is critical to meet the clean development needs of Africa, the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – all being hit hard by climate change impacts despite having done little to contribute to historic greenhouse gas emissions. The often contentious debate over Loss and Damage (i.e., who pays for the consequences of climate change) also continues. Today, I bumped into a friend, Marlene Achoki, who I met at a Community Based Adaptation conference in Uganda many years ago. She is now a Party (official country negotiator). I asked her what her country's priorities are for COP27. The answer: finance and loss and damage.

As I write about this particular COP27 goal, I can’t help but think of the purchase of Twitter by Elon Musk and how that $44 billion could have been put to such better uses. 

4. Collaboration: There are many forms of collaboration: private and public partnerships, community stakeholders working together, global collaborations, scientists and decision-makers, etc. In other words, we need "one international community working for the common good of our shared planet and humanity." From UNFCCC COP27 news:

The advancement of partnership and collaboration will help deliver our four goals and ensure the world is adopting more a resilient, and sustainable economic model where humans are at the center of climate talks. The UN negotiations are consensus-based, and reaching agreement will require inclusive and active participation from all stakeholders. Governments, the private sector and civil society need to work, in tandem, to transform the way in which we interact with our planet. We must introduce new solutions and innovations that help alleviate the adverse impacts of climate change. We also need to replicate and rapidly upscale all other climate-friendly solutions towards implementation in developing countries. 

The Egyptian COP27 Presidency has set out an ambitious vision for this COP that puts human needs at the heart of our global efforts to address climate change. The Presidency intends to focus the world’s attention on key elements that address some of the most fundamental needs of people everywhere, including water security, food security, health and energy security. Sameh Shoukry, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP27 President said: “We’re gathering this year at a time when global climate action is at a watershed moment. Multilateralism is being challenged by geopolitics, spiraling prices, and growing financial crises, while several countries battered by the pandemic have barely recovered, and severe and depleting climate change-induced disasters are becoming more frequent. 

With that reference to geopolitics, I was reminded of both Christian Parenti's book: Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the Geography of Violence and the ongoing, senseless Russia – Ukraine war. Besides the unfathomable toll on human lives, infrastructure, and the environment, there has been a global focus on disruption to fossil fuel exports from Russia, the destruction of energy grid in Ukraine and threats to nuclear power plants, and loss of food security with critical shipments of grain from Ukraine being used as a political bargaining chip. 

The first part of the high-level segment of COP 27 (and CMP 17 and CMA 4 -- lots of UNFCCC jargon) is happening during the Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit from Monday, 7 November to Tuesday, 8 November 2022. Delegates in that plenary room or watching virtually will hear statements from Heads of State and Government or sometimes a Vice President designee. The list of speakers includes the brand new prime minister of the UK Rishi Sunuk (interestingly, there were also sightings of Boris Johnson in the room) and there will even be a video message from Mr. Volodymyr Selenskyy, President of Ukraine. Noticeably absent from the list of speakers is the president (or VP) of the United States (perhaps due to campaigning for key elections). President Biden will, however, arrive later in the week. 

Today is election day back in the U.S. and it has been a contentious campaign season, even though it is for mid-term elections. This isn’t the first time we have been at a COP during election day (I voted by mail both times, for the record). The most notable was in 2016, the presidential election when we also were in northern Africa (Morocco that year) and we woke up to the news that Donald Trump had defeated Hilary Clinton. For several reasons, including ones related to climate change and global relations amidst a campaign season of xenophobic and deeply divisive comments, the mood was extremely dark. I was prompted to write three blog posts which spoke to the mood at the time:

• An Accidental Ambassador (also published for Huffington Post)
• Day 3 at COP22 Part II: Trying to make sense of it all
• Moral Courage

It remains to be seen what I will write in 2022 post-elections.  

Saying adieu to 2021

Shadow Mountain Farm: A view that we get to wake up to every day!

Normally around New Years (because it is too hectic at the end of a semester and at Christmas), I sit down to write a lengthy end-of-year summary of the previous year, a sort of belated holiday message to family and friends. It is always interesting to scroll back through my Google calendar for the year to see what jumps out at me besides my having attended way too many work-related meetings. Given the various types of losses that so many people experienced in 2021, I was hesitant to craft my typical cheery thorough rundown of the past twelve months. However, I decided that it is worth taking time to reflect on the good things that we were blessed with and to realize, with gratitude, that we have been fairly lucky given the ongoing global pandemic. 

Research shows that positive emotions like gratitude are closely connected to health and wellness. Not only do positive emotions promote happiness; they also create an upward spiral in your life. 

There also is some research that indicates that practicing gratitude during a crisis like COVID-19 is not only important for boosting your mood psychologically, but also helps your physical health in response to illnesses like respiratory infections. 

From: The Importance of Gratitude in the Time of COVID by Sherri Gordon 3/30/21  

A colleague of mine frequently talks about the importance of gratitude. Perhaps she is on to something. 

At the beginning of 2021, we were almost a year into the pandemic and the first vaccines were becoming available. I had taught in-person in fall ’20, and although Dave had been teaching virtually, he was about to teach in-person for the spring ’21 semester. Because I work with many faculty and students who go into healthcare facilities and other clinical settings, I was fortunate to receive an appointment slot for my first shot in January. For other reasons including being in education (we won’t mention his age), Dave also was able to get early access to the vaccine. I remember feeling giddy and a huge sense of relief, especially after the second shot. That second appointment for both of us was postponed due to a snow event, but fortunately rescheduled for the next day. Going to the local casino venue for that second vaccination was a bit surreal. We had never even been there for gambling or a night out! 

I am so grateful for science and this new vaccine technology. And I will never understand the ongoing anti-vaccine sentiments. 

It was strange that different states had different roll-out plans and prioritizations. Being in California, Corey was able to get vaccinated pretty early on. Meanwhile, in Illinois (Chicago), Joren had to wait until late spring/early summer. As mom, I felt a sense of relief knowing that they were protected too.

A view of the Lehigh Gap in winter

In the spring semester, I was asked to chair the conservation science committee for Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, and I became board president for the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. Both are incredible honors. Hawk Mountain was started by a feisty female socialite from New York (Rosalie Edge); it is quite a story. Today, the organization is a global leader in raptor conservation and research. Dave and I (and other authors) continue to work on the book describing the amazing story of restoration at the Lehigh Gap - a Superfund site and contaminated barren landscape converted to a wildlife refuge and nature center. At a time when negative news about our planet are far too common, it is rewarding to be involved with two organizations that represent hope for our environmental future.

~~

Easter was relatively late in 2021 (April 4th) and Dave and I went to a fantastic holiday brunch at a local country inn. It was weird to eat out in a restaurant after not doing so for a long time. Another reason to be grateful for the vaccine. 

Eastern PA had a spectacular spring for flowering trees and shrubs. No late frosts to turn star magnolia blooms brown as too often happens. 

A flower on a star magnolia

A newly planted magnolia in 2021 - I couldn't resist the lemony-colored flower on this variety!

 

We transplanted this weeping cherry from our old house/property 26 years ago!

By early May, I was brave enough to venture out for a haircut for the first time since the fall before the pandemic hit! And Dave and I went to a farm-team hockey game in a venue that was mostly empty. But it was finally a date night! 

Corey came to visit in May – so we got to bird together at the height of spring migration and for Mother’s Day. Such time together is always special and most certainly something to be grateful for. 

Corey brought me to see these trilliums on a Mother's Day many years ago - we came back in 2022

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In June, Joren graduated from the University of Chicago with three majors: physics, math and music composition! At first, this was going to be a virtual only ceremony, but at the last minute, the institution's administration changed their minds. One campus-wide commencement ceremony was held as a virtual event that we watched from home in PA. Then smaller ceremonies were held a few days later and these were open to families and a small number of guests. Even though this was a last minute change, we fortunately found a reasonably priced cute rental near campus to stay at. We were so happy to be able to attend this event on the beautiful U. Chicago campus and celebrate (as very proud parents) Joren’s accomplishments. Over the weekend, we also got to see a little of Chicago, eat some ethnic food, and spend a day together at the Indiana dunes on Lake Michigan. 

Playing in Lake Michigan

Having two sons who have grown into wonderful young men is another thing to be grateful for. Corey is working on his Ph.D. in chemistry at Cal Tech. Joren is working on a masters in Physics at U. Chicago.

~~

The end of June brought a new addition to our household – an adorable and extremely energetic miniature golden-doodle puppy. Friends of ours breed them and they had suggested for some time that we consider getting one after losing Revi, our Flat-coated Retriever, last year. To say the doodle pups are adorable is an understatement. But we certainly forgot how much work puppies can be. Booker has been a lot of fun and he is growing into a very loving companion. He loves to walk in the woods with us and as the breeders noted, these are little dogs with a big dog attitude. 

Booker - on "gotcha day" (June 29th)

Unlike summer 2020 during which I mostly worked remotely and had some extra time to work in the gardens since I wasn't commuting to and from work, this summer, I was on campus most weekdays. The gardens were still wonderful to enjoy when I came home. The Palmerton pool was open again for recreation and exercise, and of course, there were lots of walks with Booker and Dave.

In late July/August, both Dave and I had a chance to go to Costa Rica with friends. Unfortunately, we went at separate times – in part, due to our earlier uncertainty about Joren’s plans after graduation, and in larger part, due to the new puppy. Dave finally got to see Camaquiri – our conservation initiative in the country. It was great to travel again (things seemed very safe), to visit this country I love so much, and to see some Tico friends once again. I had been in Costa Rica with students just as Covid was hitting the U.S. in spring ’20 and just a few days after we returned, things shut down rapidly! 

Just one of the many species of Heliconia in the tropics

The beautiful Mesen family: Israel, baby Gavin, Sophia and Carolina at Camaquiri

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In September, I attended the Audubon fall migration camp at Hog Island in Maine – with my “boss” who is retiring at the end of the 2021-22 academic year. The migration was phenomenal, the setting beautiful, and the birding time made extra special as the camp was led by some great friends: Scott Weidensaul, Holly Merker, and Eva Matthews Lark. 

It was so wonderful to return to the beautiful and special place

Holly Merker and me

Sunset from the island

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I realized that, in reading this, it probably sounds like I don’t work much. In reality, it was a crazy year of strategic planning, reorganization, accreditation processes for several new programs under my purview, teaching, etc. And Moravian College (established in 1742) became Moravian University! I am grateful to work on a beautiful campus that is thriving at a time when some campuses are not faring nearly as well. Dave also works at a wonderful institution of higher education and enjoys no longer being department chair! Working with students and helping to prepare the next generation of scientists, problem solvers, and leaders is certainly rewarding. 

I also continue my work with the NCAA – running the leadership institute as virtual webinars for 2020-21 (due to Covid) and then holding an in-person session in late September in Indianapolis. Thanks to masks and vaccinated participants, all went smoothly. My idea for these institutes was first kicked around in 2000 and we launched the first one in 2005. It has been quite the honor to organize and facilitate these annually ever since.

The Hall of Champions at the NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis

The 2020-21 Division II FAR Fellows (we briefly demasked for a group photo)

~~

After much deliberation and many delays from the U.N. in terms of planning details, I ended up attending the climate conference (COP26) in Glasgow with my colleague from Moravian, Dr. Hilde Binford. This had been delayed from 2020. Lots of testing (pre-travel each direction and daily while in Scotland), mask wearing, and limited room capacities kept people safe, but hindered civil society participation. It was great to see the U.S. “back in” the Paris Agreement with high profile representatives present in full force making a lot of good pledges that they may or may not be able to deliver. You can read about some of the events and perspectives in our Moravian at the UNFCCC blog.

I didn't have to organize a side event (panel) this year, but helped run daily meetings of the Research and Independent NGOs constituency (RINGOs), worked with the Global Council for Science and the Environment delegation, had a meeting with the UN reps who work with the Technology Executive Committee, and gave a presentation on the TEC task forces (I serve on the Innovation task force). I had a little free time to walk around the city to sightsee.

The lovely view of the River Clyde from our rental

The Glasgow Cathedral

The Climate Action Hub at COP26

Representing RINGOs at a session with the UNFCCC Secretariat and country Parties

I was invited to attend a roundtable discussion with Gina McCarthy - special climate advisor to President Biden

With colleagues from Colorado State and the University of Derby

Due to the Level 4 risk rating of the UK by the State Department, Moravian students weren’t allowed to travel to the COP. I did, however, connect with colleagues and students involved with our multi-institution grant (the YEAH project) and see some Moravian alums who attended. I also reconnected with a high school classmate who works in the climate market world! Our paths have been very different since graduating from Marquette Senior High, but it was fun to compare notes over dinner together in Glasgow!

Moravian alums (Sarabeth Brockley '10 and Chelsea Hill '21)

 My dear friend and colleague Gillian Bowser

Part of the YEAH team!

Two Marquette gals hanging in Glasgow - discussing our climate-related work and catching up on over 40 years of life (with Karen McClelland)

~~

It was a lovely, long fall with lots of walks with Booker, even if the autumn color was slow to emerge and less vibrant than last year. We didn’t have frost until November (which is highly unusual, speaking of climate change)! 

Dave and I had a quiet Thanksgiving at home, wrapped up the fall ’21 semester, and anxiously awaited the arrival of both boys for the Christmas holiday. It was the first time we have all been together in three years. We were all boosted, but because of the Omicron variant of Covid, didn’t venture out much. Nonetheless, it was wonderful to hang out, bake together, have some music playing by the boys, visit Longwood Gardens with Holly, do some winter birding, play Scrabble, snuggle with Booker, and just be together as a family at the farm. That love-filled ending to 2021 is definitely something to be grateful for.