These are the events that affected or interested me the most this year
New Year’s Eve always has been a time of reflection. As a result, every publication (both online and off) does something to look back at the 365 trips we just made around the sun. The stories, videos, audio clips, and photographs don’t shock us. Now and then, we might ask, “When did that happen?” And just as frequently, we quickly forget about “that,” whatever that happens to be.
That “that” is lost quickly from year to year. Over many years, moments that make up each day blur into together but with many gaping holes. What isn’t written down is left to imagination or worse, distorted. I had to look back on my own records and a few of those year-end reviews to get a complete picture of the past year.
This is my year in review.
Selling the Farm
My family and I entered this year knowing that it was likely to be the last in the family home. Hillwick Farm, which my parents purchased in 1979, sold in two parts this year. About 4 acres of rolling meadow in Canton Township, Washington County, sold to new owners over the summer. The house and an additional acre have an offer. The sale may close in the beginning of 2023.
The house had been home to my mom, dad, brother, daughter, and grandmother, at different times and for some of us on and off. People have offered their condolences on losing my childhood home. To me, it is a relief. Although my parents have owned the property for more than 43 years, I’m a tad older than that. My first childhood home is in Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County. We moved out of it in 1980.
It’s certainly been an interesting experience. The Greek Revival house that was built in 1858 needed complete restoration by the time we came along. I grew up in the middle of construction sites as my dad and some hired helpers opened sealed fireplaces and rebuilt decaying floors. There were endless layers of wallpaper and lead paint, and there were even a few small fires.
Dad fell out of a tree in the front yard in 1982. He broke several bones, and his injuries have affected him since. His fall happened one week after my grandmother had a heart attack and stroke while visiting us. She spent the next five years of her life splitting her time between our house, my aunt’s home in Maryland, and my uncle’s place in Vermont.
Of course, it has been the better part of a century since we moved there. As it turns out, a lot can happen in 43 years. Perhaps memories of the farm are other blogs for other days.
Passing of Uncle Jo
Speaking of my uncle, John R. Ponsetto III died Sept. 4. He was 83. Uncle Jo was there the night my dad fell out of the tree. While dad was in the tree, he had taken my mom’s car to the hospital to visit with my grandmother. He passed the ambulance carrying my dad on his way back to my parents’ (no cell phones in those days). Uncle Jo sat with my brother and I after a neighbor left. “It’s OK boys, it’ll be OK,” he said, with each of us flanking him under an assuring arm.
Uncle Jo was my second uncle to die. My Uncle Richard M. Saxton died of COVID-19 in June 2020. While Uncle Jo was the oldest of the three Ponsettos (with my mom in the middle), Uncle Dick was the second oldest of the six Saxton kids after my dad. Both uncles had illnesses and only the exact timing of their death, and the final cause, were unknown factors until just a few days before each.
Collecting Cats
Sunny came to live with me in 2021. He was only a few months old, and he had been the only one of his litter to survive in an abandoned house. I decided that he needed a friend. Originally, I went to the Washington Area Human Society in February to adopt a smaller female kitten. I came home with Panther, a three-year-old, 15-pound male.
I’ve written about my cats before, so I won’t spend too much time here. Panther is even bigger than he was when he came through the door, but he is my lap buddy. Sunny still gets himself into trouble and drives me nuts with his constant meowing, while Panther is (usually) a laid-back guy. They are best friends and a lot of fun.
Delivering Pizzas
In hindsight, the best thing that came out of the experience is that I had a chance to see parts of Washington County that I’d not seen before. Money has been tight this year, and my 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI was just sitting in my driveway. I decided to put it to use and deliver pizzas.
And pop, sandwiches, and wings. I even once took a loaf of bread and a container of milk. In late winter and for most of spring, I delivered for a small, family-owned shop. The idea was to make extra money. I did, but I also spent a lot of money on fuel. And at some point, I managed to bend one of the wheels on my car. That eroded both front tires to the point that I almost lost control on a wet road. Those tires were replaced after I found a used wheel at a Greensburg junkyard. My time delivering pizzas ended long before that.
Attending Graduation
If your baby graduating from high school isn’t a sign of getting old, I don’t know what is. Sophie Marie Saxton got her diploma in June from Trinity High School. She has the same alma mater as her dad and Uncle John. I’m a graduate of 1996. John’s class is 1997.
Sophie entered high school in 2018, or 22 years after I walked out those doors. I don’t recognize the high school life that the class of 2022 considered to be normal. They were sophomores when the COVID pandemic shut down classrooms and sent students home for virtual learning. This environment was fundamentally unstructured. I never experienced the kind of freedom that she enjoyed. I suppose it will change again before the next generation.
Traveling to Texas
On July 27, I left Pittsburgh International Airport aboard a Southwest Airlines flight to Chicago. From there, I was supposed to take a connecting flight to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and then another from Tulsa to Austin, Texas. The plane after that was to arrive in Houston. But I missed my flight in Chicago. Instead, I found myself on a layover there and a direct flight to Houston. Why wasn’t that an option when I selected the flight?
After a few days with coworkers in the swampy city, I came back. This time, planes were running very much behind schedule and the number of stops was plenty. We landed in New Orleans, then Chicago again, and finally arrived at PIT shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday, July 30.
I started the year thinking I was going to be spending more time on a jet. I got my passport for the first time in March with plans to visit northcentral Europe for work. First, I was to go in February (no passport). Then, June. Finally, September, before it got cancelled entirely. I suspect it will appear on the agenda in 2023.
Dating Digitally
It’s no secret that I started dating again this year. Dating feels much harder than it used to be. I’ve used online websites to meet people for years, but my experiences in meeting someone haven’t proven fruitful in 2022. I suppose my age could be a reason, but I think it’s that the idea of dating has changed.
More people are comfortable meeting in their homes. And the attire on this home date frequently is pajamas. Maybe this is a sign of the economy, or perhaps people have become comfortable with “casual” dress with work-from-home environments. The right one remains elusive, but I’m no longer surprised by someone who shows up here in a housecoat.
Steel Curtain Syndrome
Steelers fans need not be reminded about the need to win the New Year’s Day game against the Ravens to be a playoff contender. The black and gold have not had a good year, either on or off the field. We had to say goodbye to many of the things about our team that we had come to love.
One was the exit of Ben Roethlisberger, which arguably had a strong influence on the team’s 1-4 start. Then again, maybe they weren’t too sure about Acrisure, which took over naming rights at Heinz Field.
And then the Italian Army laid down its arms. Franco Harris, known for making a game-winning Immaculate Reception 50 years ago, died unexpectedly three days before he was to take part in a celebration of the 1972 event.
The Steelers are going to be challenged with creating a future that is as memorable as its past.
Exploring Generations
Finally, I made some major discoveries in my ancestry line. I’ve always had an interest in genealogy, but I dug into a couple of lines in 2022.
Not only did I find out that I’m a product of a pedigree collapse, but I also appear to descend from one of the Mayflower’s most storied love affairs. I’ve written about these experiences and plan to continue to write as I make discoveries.
Next year. I’m out after this 2022 reflection.
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