After snapping this photo on Piha Beach at the edge of the world in New Zealand, I went up to the family who was wondering why I was taking pictures of a puddle on the beach. They loved the photo and I happily emailed it to them. A week later, this beach town was devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Wow, what a year! I was unbelievably fortunate to have traveled through three countries over the past twelve months and also receive a new granddaughter along the way. Here are some of my most favorite scenes from New Zealand, Canada and right here in the U.S. of A. Our travels were fraught — a cyclone, a few earthquakes, “minor volcanic activity” — but man, were they a blast (and I don’t mean volcanic!) My wonderful travel buddy, Marci Curtis, joined me for all the merriment & mayhem, whether it was weird wedding weather in Vermont or hanging at home with the grandkidlets. The following is just a smattering of my favorite photojournalistic reportage, as my fancy photo friends call it.

<spanI loved how this cave opening at low tide on Wharariki Beach in New Zealand looked like a crescent moon. I heard a kid yelling as I was snapping this photo. Moments later, the “kid” turned out to be a seal telling me, in no uncertain terms, that it was their cave.

Marci luxuriates in 100° water at geothermal Kerosene Creek outside of Rotorua, New Zealand.

Look at this beautiful Warrior (too) on the deck in Queenstown, New Zealand, during a beautiful late summer’s day in February.

We were greeted by this incredible scene when we were sure sunset had gone home for the day in New Plymouth, NZ. This was straight out of the iPhone, no toning, no nuthin.’

What an absolutely EXTRAORDINARY evening we had gazing and photographing the Southern Hemisphere’s finest light show in Collingwood, NZ. This was one of my favorites as we lay on the ground in our jammies looking up. Again, the iPhone came through like magic.

Marci and Avery do yoga together as my quartz singing bowl remains Zen.

My son-in-law grabs some shut eye with the shutters shining across he and Zora, who’s always by his side.

Marci and Avery have a driveway chalk talk.

We had an extraordinary view of St. Patrick’s Basilica, finished in 1847, from our Airbnb in Montreal. In the middle of the night, the fog rolled in and a short timed-exposure produced a beautiful image.

A downpour traps tourists in a bus shelter at Mount Royal Park, overlooking the city of Montreal.

The sun sets behind our Wisteria leaves on the longest day of the year and the last leaves cling to their branches in fall along Troy Trails.

Avery plays with our solar fairy lights at dusk waiting for her baby sister to arrive.

James, Taylor and Avery welcome Charlie to the world. She’s named after my dad, Taylor’s grandfather whom she never met.

Two grand girls (three, actually), two years apart.

Charlie simply has THE BEST expressions.

My 90-year-old mother snuggles with baby Charlie, named after her hubby.

Now we get TWO granddiggities to mess around with!

Marci and Avery have matching tap shoes. How soon before Charlie gets a pair?

Skye and Avery mess around while my mom snuggles (again & again & again) with Charlie. It just blows my mind that a baby born halfway through 2023 can snuggle with someone who watched Civil War soldiers march in a parade. (Mom saw Union soldiers in an NYC parade when she was little, in the 1930s.)

Avery is such a great BIG SIS. She is always kissing and loving up Charlie.

Yep, Zora’s always around James, my son-in-law.

One of my favorite wedding photos from the year was when the groom’s youngest daughter was playfully shocked by one of the celebrants.

I love the absolute joy and hilarity of the wedding party talking about a flubbed line after the ceremony. They were truly a wonderful blended family!

Flower girl and grandfather play hide-n-seek at a micro-brewery during rehearsal dinner.

The bride and flower girl relax ahead of time, sort of the calm before (or during) the storm.

A gust of wind catches the veil of one of my December brides.

Everyone else toasts with champagne as the ring bearer uses a Coke.

My December bride and groom wave to the crowd streaming into the Lions game next door and out of the Spartans game up the road.

A shitty and pretty pairing. Possible jokes: •Best price I’ve seen all day •You can sure buy some weird sh!t in New Zealand. •Wait, Asparagus Horse Poo was my porn name. •I hear it makes your pee smell even worse.

Aaaaaaand that’s a wrap on 2023; see ya next year!