Looking Back at 2022 with Love and Gratitude

a smiling black whippet running on the beach, followed by a blue and white whippet with a ball

First of all we want to say a huge thank you to all our blogging friends, fellow poets, photographers and prompters who make this such a wonderful space to meet and share in these extraordinary times.

This was a challenging year and we have never felt the love of this wonderful community more than during the times of loss of our beloved Eivor and Pearl.

Your prayers, healing, comments, messages and cards have wrapped us in a warm blanket of comfort, love and light.

ice on the sea
all winter long
spirit companions

© Xenia Tran

Haiku Dialogue, 9 February 2022

We are also eternally grateful for the love and support we received when Misty joined us as our forever foster. The way you have taken her into your hearts has been beyond amazing and I am sure that Misty can feel this love too.

a smiling whippet in a red jacket on the beach

As we have done in previous years, we will reflect on the year season by season, highlighting the posts that resonated the most.

To see the photo-galleries as they are intended, it is best to visit this post in website view.

Winter

A New Dawn, our first post of 2022, featured a haiku that received an Honourable Mention in the 22nd HIA Haiku Contest (2020) as well the surprise of being included in Krzysztof Kokot’s European Top 100 Most Creative Haiku Authors in 2021. This post was the most popular post in Winter and would become the most popular post of the year.

The other most popular posts in Winter were The Way Home, Walkway to the Light, Beat of the Drum, What Travels with Us and Forest Bathing.

a blue and white whippet in winter jacket walking through a forest
two whippets in winter jackets running along a wide path through the dunes
a blue and white whippet in a pink winter jacket climbing a wooden walkway in the dunes
close up of a black and white whippet in a winter jacket on a forest trail
Spring

Spring, normally a time for new life, rebirth and growth, became a season dominated by Eivor’s illness and palliative care. He walked through this season with so much grace, appreciating every fresh sprig of grass and wildflower. He still moved so well, wanted to run and do all the things he loved doing and was a true inspiration.

Some of the most popular posts in Spring were Blessed Rain, Brushed by Moonlight, Spring Breeze and Spring Grass.

a blue and white whippet looking between the trees down at the water of the woodland pond
a black and white whippet running a forest with lush spring leaves
a blue and white whippet in a purple harness in a woodland garden
two whippets in winter jackets climbing through the dunes
a black whippet in a winter jacket walking down the grassy side of a forest trail
the backs of two whippets in black jackets disappearing behind a grassy knoll

Eivor passed away peacefully on 24 May 2022 and our post Run Free Sweet Eivor shows him exploring the woods with his usual energy only days before. We did not know then, that we would be writing Sweet Dreams Sweet Pearl only a week later.

We cannot thank you enough for all your kindness and love through your comments, messages and cards – they brought us much comfort. As did the thought that Eivor and Pearl, who had been inseparable for the eight years they knew each other in this life, would continue their next journey together too.

a blue and white whippet and a black and white whippet snuggled together on the sofa
two smiling whippets running side by side in the snow on a forest trail
two whippets in black jackets on the beach
two whippets resting on the floor, front paws touching
two whippets in winter jackets walking towards each other in the snow
close up of two whippets snoozing on the sofa
two whippets in black jackets on the beach, with one dropping a pink ball
close up of two whippets in coloured fleeces sunpuddling head to head
two whippets in winter jackets sniffing the frozen ground near wetlands
close up of two whippets on a sofa
two whippets running side by side towards the camera on a forest trail beside a wooden bridge over a stream
two smiling whippets in jackets on a mountain trail between heather and pine
two whippets in winter jackets digging and sniffing on the beach
two smiling whippets in winter jackets running on the beach
two whippets in winter jackets walking side by side on tidal sands
a panned action shot of two whippets in winter jackets running side by side
a blue and white whippet and a black whippet in winter jackets on a forest trail
two whippets in winter jackets running together on the beach
two whippets in black jackets on a forest trail looking down onto a burn between the trees
two whippets in black jackets running on the beach in deep sand
a blue whippet in a winter jacket and a black whippet in a winter jacket standing on top of snow covered dunes
two whippets in black winter jackets dancing on tidal sands
a blue whippet walking through a shallow tidal lagoon and a black whippet suspended in mid-air above the water beside her
two whippets in maroon winter jackets bending down side by side to sniff the grass on a forest trail
two whippets in winter jackets and snoods bending down together to sniff something on top of the mountain
two whippets at Loch Torridon
two whippets in fleece jackets sunbathing
two whippets in winter jackets running on the beach
two whippets in jumpers snuggled up asleep in winter sun

his ashes
next to hers
summer rain

© Xenia Tran

Under the Basho, 16 November 2022

Summer

We had no intention of adopting or fostering another dog so soon until angels both in heaven and on earth brought Misty into our lives.

After a three-week blogging break we returned with Meeting Misty, where we introduced our sweet twelve-year old forever foster whippet, whose owners had passed away. It became one of the most popular posts of the Summer, along with The Puppy Within, They Walk Beside Us, Treasures, One Step Ahead and Where Love Sails.

portrait of a senior brindle whippet in a red coat
a senior whippet looking at a picture of herself as a puppy
a brindle whippet beside a loch, looking back over her right shoulder
a smiling brindle whippet walking back towards the beach from the water
the moray firth seen from the dunes where the river meets the sea
a smiling brindle whippet in a black jacket on a forest trail

Misty is a very special lady and, in more than thirty-three years of adopting and fostering animals, this is the first time we have met and continue to meet our forever foster dog’s family and learn about her earlier life.

sea lace
the first step
so small
nobody knew
the size of the ocean

© Xenia Tran

Ribbons, Spring/Summer 2022: Volume 18, Number 2

As in previous years, we were delighted to be able to continue to support three charities close to our heart – Give a Greyhound a Home, Children with Cancer UK and Dogs Trust – with the proceeds of Sharing Our Horizon and Between Heather and Grass:

donation certificate for GAGAH
2022 Donation Certificate from Children with Cancer UK
2022 Donation Certificate from Dogs Trust

In memory of Eivor and Pearl, we also dedicated a 1/4 acre of woodland at Ledmore and Migdale Woods, a place we visited during five magical holidays together in beautiful Sutherland. Eivor and Pearl loved it here and this dedicated grove will be there forever, supporting a constantly changing cast of trees, plants, animals and fungi.

Woodland Trust Dedication Certificate
Autumn

Autumn gave us some beautiful weather for walking, especially in the early part. With Misty, our walks are shorter and together we discovered some lovely new places we look forward to seeing again in the new year.

The most popular posts in Autumn were Pulse of the Ancients, Autumn Glories, Sacred Waters, Sweet Music, Intricate Reflections and A Blessed Christmas.

a smiling brindle whippet on a forest trail in late summer
a brindle whippet in a red jacket on a forest trail in autumn
a brindle whippet in a yellow and black jacket on a forest trail
a brindle whippet in a yellow jacket beside a birch tree on the loch shore
a brindle whippet lounging in front of a woodburning stove
a brindle whippet in an ancient wood

Autumn was also a season to celebrate a milestone birthday and semi-retirement:

autumn moon
my first sixty years
of wandering

© Xenia Tran

haikuKATHA, Issue 13, November 2022

We want to say a warm-hearted thank you to the international haiku and tanka journal editors who featured my poems throughout the year.

Special thanks to Mr Hidenori Hiruta of the Akita International Haiku Network, who translated ten haiku poems by me into Japanese for the World Haiku Series 2021.

We were also honoured to contribute to three anthologies in 2022:

Dawn Returns Haiku Anthology
Robert Epstein The Haik Way to Healing Anthology

… and delighted to contribute to a haiku calendar for 2023:

Thank you once more for walking along with us here.

If you want to read more about our year, feel free to check out the 2022 highlights on our sister blog Tranature.

a smiling brindle whippet in a maroon winter jacket running across tidal sands

We send you our warmest wishes for a healthy and happy 2023 and look forward to seeing you here again on Thursday 5 January.

May you all be blessed with joy, peace and wellbeing!

With love from Misty and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr

CMMC: December Alphabet – Letter ‘W’ at the Beginning of a Word (Whippet)

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word in December 2022 – Tribute

Sunday Stills: What Did You Do in 2022?

Author: whippetwisdom

The stories, poems and photographs on this blog are the original creative work of Xenia Tran. Inspired by life in the Scottish Highlands and in awe of nature she gives voice to the wisdom of her adopted and fostered whippets.

60 thoughts on “Looking Back at 2022 with Love and Gratitude”

  1. You definitely had a hard year. It was fun seeing all your photos throughout the year. Did you know that you are two years younger than me. How cool. Hope this coming year brings you lots of Joy and Love. 😀

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Aww thank you so much for your kind words and your support dear Cee and how cool that we are of a similar age! 😊Hope this coming year brings you and yours lots of Joy and Love too and thank you again for hosting all these lovely challenges 🤗💖

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and big hugs dear Bella 💗 Eivor and Pearl were such wonderful companions and we are so grateful we shared part of their journey in this life. Thank you so much for walking along with us here and much love from our house to yours 💞💜💞 xxx

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  16. Awesome to find cute little Misty, Xenia and such a wonderful tribute to Eivor and Pearl. Such a beautiful and lovely post. I loved your Haikus and all the amazing and splendid pictures. Happy New Year 2023 dear Xenia. Lots of love and hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Your love and heart shines through in your tribute to your two Beautiful Angels.
    The love of Lady Misty is a joy filled blessing. Big hugs to you and Lady Misty. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and for walking along with us here dear E.C. , Misty truly is a joy filled blessing 🐾❤🐾 Wishing you a blessed New Year and big hugs back from all of us here 💕💜💕 xxx

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  19. What a beautiful tribute and beautiful post. I’m thankful too for this blogging community. May 2023 be a better year and bring joy and happiness to all our lives. Sending giant HUGS to you and your family including sweet Misty. 💞🥰🐾💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, good wishes and giant Hugs dear Diana! 💞💖💞 May 2023 bring joy and happiness to you and your family too and please give sweet Chloe and Murphy a big pat from us all 🤗🧡🐴 xxx

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  21. I do miss them too dear Xenia, even I know them through your photographs… Beautiful post you did, you are a nice human family for them and now lovely Misty! I hope and wish New Year to bring all the best with peace and love, Thank you, Love, nia

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  23. A wonderful, if sometimes bittersweet, retrospective of 2022. Even though I never met Eivor and Pearl in person, I shall remember them fondly The photos here are beautiful remembrances of them. And Misty’s arrival sparked new hope and happiness in the wake of such sadness. Your poetry is gorgeous, timeless and contemplative, and a joy to experience. Here’s hoping 2023 treats you and Misty well, Xenia. I’m looking forward to walking through the woods and along the beach in this coming year. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and your support dear Mike. It has been a year we will never forget and we are so grateful for the breath of love at the centre of it all. Thank you for walking along with us here and we wish you a blessed and wonderful 2023 too 🤗💖💫

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