Goode-Roberts 2024

Pam felt like our family needed another four-footed furry "child" and so we visited the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter in late December last year and were adopted by Bean :-) She had been disposed of by her previous owner (she was found in a trash dump, stuffed in a Tupperware container) but we were happy to welcome her into our home and hearts.

We celebrated the new year with friends. And then snow fell a few days later. It was lovely . . . even though we did have to clear the drive!

Our winter was short this year. And as the climate continues to warm, the cold doesn't stay around as long as it used to (just ask Pam; she grew up here!).

One of the many delights about living near Cleveland is the Westside Market. It opened in 1912 and has operated continuously since then. Pam and her friend Ann shop there every Friday morning. She brings home some amazing food, specialty dishes, and Amish cheese.

Of course the warmer weather was greeted by "the girls" as we refer to our pups. And we took the opportunity to get outside again.

Our winter was short this year. And as the climate continues to warm, the cold doesn't stay around as long as it used to (just ask Pam; she grew up here!).

One of the many delights about living near Cleveland is the Westside Market. It opened in 1912 and has operated continuously since then. Pam and her friend Ann shop there every Friday morning. She brings home some amazing food, specialty dishes, and Amish cheese.

Of course the warmer weather was greeted by "the girls" as we refer to our pups. And we took the opportunity to get outside again.

What a month it was!

For those who don't live here, Cleveland is notorious for its cloudy, overcast days. More than Seattle! When we moved here, Pam's friend, Kim Carroll (an amazing interior designer), advised we repaint our home's interior in warm tones . . . to help stave off the "winter blues." We followed her advice.

But I digress.

On Monday, April 8, the path of the solar eclipse passed right over Cleveland. And it was a CLEAR DAY! We had purchased eclipse glasses and we gathered out back with our neighbors. We have seen lunar eclipses and expected this to be similar. Were we wrong. It was epic. And erie. And awe inspiring.

And later that month Mark launched a podcast named, ever so modestly, "my ReMarkable podcast." He began a process of interviewing people, some he knows, and others he met. The stories his guests have shared have been moving and inspiring.

May is always a big month for us. Pam's birthday and our anniversary fall on the same day (a funny story for another time).

This year we celebrated Pam's 70th birthday and our 20th wedding anniversary! Both are big milestones and we were grateful to mark this passage of time with great love and great health.

May also means grilling outside, eating some of the best corn in America (sweet corn!), and green grass that needs to be mowed.

The warm (but not hot) days of June brought more opportunities to get outside. Each June the Larchmere neighborhood in nearby Cleveland holds a festival called Porchfest. Musicians from around the country are invited to play - you guessed it -- on the porches of homes in the neighborhood. Our friends Emily and Ann invited us to join them for the fun.

My youngest son, Jesse (37), and his wife Diana flew up from Dallas to spend Father's Day weekend with us. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time.

Bean continued to grow (of course) and her bond with Peanut grew even deeper. Now, they are inseparable.

The many showers in April and May yielded beautiful greenery in June. Not a mile from our home is Lower Shaker Lake with its own waterfall. And twenty minutes away is Chagrin Falls, a picturesque village with a gorgeous waterfall.

July was my turn for a milestone birthday. I too turned 70 (!).

Later that month I headed south and west to visit family and friends. I call this trip my "Southwest Swing."

The first stop was the Dallas area. I caught up with our friend Khalid Beard, who introduced Pam and me to pit bull mixes (like Bean!). And I grabbed lunch with Georgia, a childhood friend of Kristina's. Georgia accompanied the family on several summer vacations and it was fun catching up with her after so many years.

I stayed first with Jesse and Diana. I then visited with my bonus daughter, Jordan (35).

Next, I spent the weekend with my youngest daughter Lindsey (39) and her husband Colin. Keeping up my tradition, I recorded podcasts with my granddaughters Ruth (6), Isabella (16), and Hannah (21).

Josh (48) and Sarah's home is in constant motion. But I recorded podcast episodes with Edie (13) and Eliana (6) while Josh entertained Vance (3).

So, if you're counting, that's four children (and spouses) and six grandchildren.

It was wonderful seeing everyone!

I left Dallas and headed to Justin (46) and Synthia's home in Wichita Falls, TX. They have three daughters: Sharlotte (10), a young violinist, Abigail (6), learning piano and doing very well, and Melody (5), also learning to play the piano. Their's is a home filled with music, either by the girls, or with Justin spinning vinyl.

I played outside on the water slide in the backyard and recorded a podcast with these three precious young ladies.

After a few days here, I headed farther west, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, home to my oldest daughter, Kristina (43) and her wife Kathleen. Kristina and Kat are co-founders and co-owners of a fine dining steakhouse, Market Steer Steakhouse. I timed his visit perfectly because Kristina and Kat had just opened the new venue for their restaurant.

When I arrived in Santa Fe, Kat, the Executive Chef at Market Steer, prepared a delicious meal on a wood fired grill in the backyard. The next morning, we hiked in the mountains. And then that evening, I was treated to a spectacular meal at Market Steer. Both Kristina and Kat joined me for dinner. Fun fact: it was their first time to eat - as patrons - at their own restaurant. The next day, I pointed his car back east and made the long drive back to Shaker Heights and the North Coast.

This month Pam and I joined the millions of people learning and playing pickleball. It is not only fun but a great cardio exercise. And it's a wonderful way to meet new people and friends.

We are members of the Lifetime Fitness club in Beachwood, OH and this month we started going nearly five days per week. From classes taught by an epic instructor, Katja Von Roden, to learning pickleball and playing on the courts . . . we are doing our best to stay healthy while building community. It is wonderful.

Pam also began volunteering as a dog walker at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter. She loves dogs (I'll bet you couldn't tell) and enjoys spending time with the dogs at the shelter.

Fall also arrived this month. The leaves began to change color - slowly - but the temperatures remained warm and comfortable outside.

More beautiful colors arrived in October and our fun at Lifetime Fitness continued. Pam and I both continued working on our pickleball skills every week.

Cooler weather brings more time indoors with friends. Early this month, Emily and Ann took us on a "wine tour" in Geneva County, located about an hours drive north of our home. Both have tasted wines at many of the winerys and knew which ones had the best offering. We went on the last "warmish" day in the fall and had a grand time.

For Thanksgiving, we flew to Dallas and spent the holiday with John and Jordan (35). They (along with a bit of help from us) prepared a meal for 24 people (!). It was great seeing old friends. The next day they turned their attention back to the big challenge ahead of them: moving to Qatar in mid to late December! John landed a great job there and Jordan will continue to scale her business remotely. We admire their courage and are envious of their energy.