Feature

Rare Air Episode 54


Honoring our mom’s teachings, the realm of astrology continues to intrigue me. As a boy, I can clearly remember her reading out my horoscope, and hanging onto her words as she intimated my fortune. In those moments, another layer of existence appeared to my attention span.

Seeking clues about the new year set to begin in January, one forecaster suggested I look back at the period running from January 2022 to July 23, evaluating my strength and self-esteem during that period. As it winds up, during those days and most others, there is plenty to be proud of.

The past 18 months have presented a unique scenario here in our household, due to a couple of factors. First, our nest is now mostly empty, beyond the powers of three cats who rule us. Also, our business has not escaped the surprisingly rocky aspects of the economy. Still, whatever’s to come, we are all-in.

Last year at this time, Beth, Amelia, Claire and I paid a visit to Scott in Greenville, then joined Riley for several days in Chicago. The temps hovered around and even below 10-degrees F … but we still had an amazing time. Arriving back in Asheville just before New Year’s Eve, we then made the 2-hour trip on to Boone, to join a lot of Beth’s family for an unforgettable start to 2023.


Most years, our tradition has been getting together with Beth’s family at one East Coast beach or another. While we missed that in 2020, this past week, many have joined us in North Myrtle Beach. In a perfect world, even more loved ones would be able to join these festivities. As we savor our good tidings and blessings here together, we remember all those who make our lives richer. Happy happy new year, one and all.

Please stop back soon for more Rare Air.

Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands, July, 2019
Rare Air Episode 47, Part 1: Third Time’s the Charm
Rare Air Episode 48, Part 2: Ancient Eruption
Rare Air Episode 49, Part 3: Omniscience, Part One
Rare Air Episode 50, Part 4: Omniscience, Part Two
Rare Air Episode 51, Part 5: Heaven on Earth
Rare Air Episode 52, Part 6: Return Trip to Waterlemon
Rare Air Episode 53, Part 7: Underwater at Waterlemon Cay
Rare Air Episode 54, Part 8: Fish life on the cay
Rare Air Episode 55, Part 9: Snorkeling Hansen Bay

Author, communications consultant, publisher, and career guide Roger Darnell is principal of creative-industry PR firm, The Darnell Works Agency.