2019

Linda and I were married in 2019

It's a new year and a new decade. I wasn't planning a year-in-review blog post, but when I saw how many friends were saying "good riddance" to 2019, I had to say something. I'm sorry it was such a rough year for so many people. It was the best year of my life. In 2019, Linda and I were married. Need I say more?

"Away Team Is Lit" pulled off a huge upset win

Other things happened. In January, my team "Away Team Is Lit" pulled off a stunning, come-from-behind victory in the first-ever Pinball PDX Royal Rumble at Ground Kontrol. Ian Beatson and I shocked everyone, including ourselves, with a surprise win on Tales From The Crypt to clinch the win. I still can't believe that happened.

Flip City weekly winner's circle in June

There was plenty of pinball. I played a lot of Tuesday night tournaments when Linda was at work, and even made it into the winner's circle photo at High Score in June.

The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims

I did a few things with quilts in 2019, even though I was officially on sabbatical. Early in the year, I appeared on two episodes of The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. In the summer, I had an exhibit, "Love Blooms: Quilts from the Volckening Collection" at Latimer Quilt & Textile Center in Tillamook, Oregon.

"Love Blooms: Quilts from the Volckening Collection"

There were publications, too. In 2019, I made cameo appearances in new books by Victoria Findlay Wolfe and Linda Hahn, and was featured in the Uppercase Encyclopedia of Inspiration: Quilted, and the Peddie School Chronicle.

Uppercase Encyclopedia of Inspiration: Quilted

Peddie School Chronicle

In November, I gave my first lecture in years when I was guest speaker at the Portland Modern Quilt Guild meeting. It was the first time Linda got to see me give a lecture, and a very nice way to celebrate her recent retirement after almost 24 years working for Sayler's Old Country Kitchen in southeast Portland.

Portland Modern Quilt Guild lecture

Just like any year, there were highs and lows, but the highs far outweighed the lows in 2019. Here's looking forward to another wonderful year in 2020.