The title for this article is a bit quirky. What I am really writing about in this still-new year is that if you are actively living and experiencing new people and events, you can have some new “likes”, “dislikes”, and “never-again(s)!”

Due to college/career,adventures, and my Army Reserve obligations, I (and later with my husband) have lived in over 15 places for more than three months. We just moved again last year to Stono Ferry, SC; moving is definitely a joint never-again. However, the location for our last move was strategically chosen because my husband loves golf and plays and understands the game very well. One day I went with him to the practice range and after a few drives myself with great coaching, I was hooked. We now have an activity that we can enjoy together individually and as a couple as life allows.

I enjoy being around and serving veterans. I do not know why I waited so long to join American Legion Post 147 on James Island, but in March of last year we did and now we have a whole new group of friends who understand the concept of service and sacrifice. We have fundraisers for all sorts of veteran and community needs and I’ve been humbled when I learn of many veterans’ and spouses’ sacrifices. However, I now have a top new “like” – cornhole. We play it every Sunday afternoon and it is fun, competitive and entertaining.

I was thinking recently, what are some dislikes that have remained with me since I was a young adult? Here are a few:

1. Gardening (In any form. No future Yard of the Month from the HOA!)
2. Any form or hint of a craft (If you want to torture me, force me to take a scrapbooking or another Wine by Design class.Trust me, the wine did not help me in any way with the result or my mood)
3. Opera (I finally went alone last year during Spoleto. Felt guilty for leaving during intermission and introspective wondering why I was unable to feel the music in my soul).
4. Taking or viewing pictures of meals my friends are eating at restaurants. (First, I am an awful photographer. Have been through all the modes, starting with the instant camera. But, I am sure my lack of talent is not causing me to respond in my mind, “Who really cares about your artisan-crafted hamburger?”
5. Prolific home decor (Am I in a time warp or are we all supposed to still be surrounding ourselves with big platters of glass balls, small-human sized vases filled with artificial sea fronds and fake distressed furniture? Also, I refuse to buy anything with Live, Laugh, Love on it. I wish I had copyrighted that phrase; it is still on everything from pictures to your dog’s sleep mat.)

So, 2017 is going to be a great year. We are going to be grandparents and that will definitely be a new experience! I look forward to growing in my faith with the fellowship of my church. I am going to see Bruce Hornsby in April and I have big expectations to hear one of my favorite artists live. I want to reach and help  more veterans, particularly the senior ones as I have an affinity to serving our seniors.

I also plan on eating an obscene amount of okra pickles. I recently discovered these little gems; a previously unappealing vegetable has now changed into a staple because of some vinegar. The little white pods filled with mucilage, which is the source of okra “slime”, turn into delightful mini pickle beads of flavor when crunched.

This year will also hopefully enable me to confront some ideas that I am prejudging will be dislikes. To name a few: NASCAR (I am told once you go, you’ll get it), crabbing/shrimping, legitimately visiting an art museum and, finally, I am willing to give brussels sprouts another shot at making it to our dinner table….

How about you?