I asked the AI for a brief summary of the year. It gave me four pages called “A Year of Systems and Sentiment,” with a note on its method. I had meant something I could read before finishing my coffee.
There was quite a lot about the house: fourteen audio zones, eleven cameras, four runs of garden lights, and the cancellation of cable after three hours on the phone. The new car arrived. Thanksgiving ran on time. Between driving to Touhy and ordering delivery, we kept everyone in bagels.
I would have given more space to my son's Christmas ornaments and lunch with Deb under the tree. We also finally opened the Burgundy on an ordinary Tuesday. And I liked riding behind Jonathan on the Triumph up Sheridan Road. He had wanted that motorcycle since law school; I'm glad we went.
There are still things to decide. We haven't settled the lake house question, whatever our holiday letter says. Sandee has a supposedly quiet Michigan house for us to see in spring, preferably in the rain. Brian wants to discuss more cameras. Jonathan is keeping the green sweater, and the fox is still crossing the garden.
We may stay home in February, after Maui. I will know more when we get through New Year's.
The family has told me they read every entry here. I had thought some of the household details might be of less interest to them, since they were present. Apparently not. The AI recommends that I keep writing, and ended its summary with “Great work.”
I left that part in. The tree is lit, the new mug is on the shelf, and it has been a good year.
— Ash