2023 is coming to a close, and many people use this time to reflect on the past year.  December 2023 marks slightly more than one year since I started publishing this blog, so I will be reflecting the growth and development of my blog. 

When I did my year end post last year, I wrote about what inspired me to start this blog.  I mentioned that I had big plans and new ideas for 2023.  As of this month, I haven’t yet blossomed into a well known blogger contributing to the national zeitgeist (nor will I ever be, probably).  I have however continued to write posts on a regular basis, writing about national and local events.  I have also started to write several series, including “Elections in Other Countries” (now downgraded a bit), and my new series “Not so Famous Founding Fathers”. 

There are two topics that I write about on a regular basis which fill me with particular pride.  One is my posts regularly updating my readers about the Mental Health Situation of students in Killingly.  It is an issue that has affected me personally, and it is fun to keep my readers up to date on this saga.  The other is my series: “When Politicians do Good Things”.  In this era of contempt for public officials, it is more important than ever to highlight the elected officials who truly are public servants.  With the 2024 Presidential Campaign guaranteed to highlight the worst attributes of politicians, I will be doing my due diligence next year to remind everyone about the best attributes of politicians.  Overall, it is fun to brainstorm new topics to write about, and while it is tedious to write and edit my posts, it is always satisfying to publish the finished product.  I look forward to not only writing more posts in the new year, but to expand the reach of topics that I cover. 

I will conclude by providing links to two stories that will warm your heart.  The first, which is actually a YouTube channel, showcases humanity at its kindest by showing clips of people going above and beyond to assist animals in trouble.  The second is a New York Times story which explains how the residents of a small Silverton, Colorado came together after being bitterly divided about the town’s future.  It provides a little bit of hope that in this hyperpolarized era, it is possible for divisions to shrink. 

See you next year.