Well, 2022 is over! In some ways it went quickly and in other ways not. It was a memorable year, in that I moved back to Philadelphia after 17 years living in California. There’s a lot to enjoy in Philly, and I made the move to be closer to family and old friends, but there have also been a lot of challenges. I am not the sort of person who quickly adapts to new situations, although I do always try to make the best of things when possible. So, even though it’s been 5 months since I moved, I am still getting used to my new life back in PA. With all the changes, I’ve felt optimistic and excited at times and sad, anxious, and homesick for California at other times.

One thing that usually helps me to cope when I am feeling down is to get outside. That has been more challenging for me in Philly (especially now, in the winter) than it was in CA, as I prefer my weather mild and gentle, which is not always the case here. Another thing that often lifts my spirits is taking photos and then editing and sharing them. I was feeling off this weekend, so I spent some of today walking in a beautiful nearby park and taking some shots. Lucky for me, it was 55 degrees and sunny!

Since it is New Year’s Day, I was reflecting on 2022, which made me want to look back on some of the photos I took over the year. So, I am sharing some of my favorites with you! I chose these based on aesthetics, not sentiment, but many of them do give me the warm feels. I hope you enjoy them.