Another Year of love, health, friends, good food, and … dogs!

Irene & Steve at the Ocean

Let’s start with family. Irene made 2 trips to southern California – of course to visit grandson Levi, and also to spend time with Jason & Etchie, Travis & Abby, and mom Lola and her family. A highlight for Irene was a reunion with a group of lifetime girlfriends from high school days. Steve was able to join in for the first trip – and yes, he got to put his feet in the ocean.

Levi and Etchie

Momma Lola and Irene

Lola's Birthday party

Abby & Travis

Irene's High School friends

Irene & Steve in Temecula, CA

We also met Travis and Abby at the Biltmore in Asheville, NC for a special birthday celebration for Abby.

Abby & Travis at the Biltmore

Lexi, Steve’s great niece (his sister Nancy’s granddaughter) was married this year.  

Lexi & Jake

And, after 15 years of separation, Steve’s son Matthew renewed communication with his dad.

After 18 months of construction, the remodel of our little house is 99% complete. We are very happy with the results, and we hope that this is now truly our forever home.

Two of Irene’s sisters live in Tennessee too. We enjoyed a day trip to Cherokee, NC with Lizz and Lyle in their new motorhome, and also getting together with Gloria and Freddie.

Gloria & Freddie

Lyle & Lizz

Irene’s business, AAA Affordable Cleaning Service, continued to grow. Her clients easily become her friends. She has now reduced that work schedule to focus more on her artistic talents. We finally upgraded her little studio “she shack” (really the old “storage shed”) so that it now has A/C and heat as well as a new electric line and internet/cable TV access. Irene displayed at two local outdoor art shows and sold paintings and crafts; her major focus this year is batik, and she is teaching classes about batik and other media. She’s also really into Kayaking – there are so many rivers and lakes in east TN which Irene and her girlfriends explore.

Batik Painting by Irene

Kayaking on TN rivers

This is Steve’s 8^th year teaching American Government and Political Science at Walters State College. He was awarded the Adjunct Teacher of Year recognition based on support of students and faculty. He also continues to teach English virtually online for international executives and family who relocate to the US from other countries. He still serves as an Election Commissioner for the county, and once again helped bring a free medical clinic to our town which served more than 200 people in one weekend.  And…he even got a new knee – robot assisted surgery knee replacement.

February 23^rd was the 21^st anniversary of our first date, September 21^st was our 15^th wedding anniversary, and Irene threw Steve a big 79^th birthday party in November.

Steve's Birthday Party

Other fun times included the Scots Irish Fest in Dandridge, a Judy Collins concert in Knoxville, our house-warming party with Steve’s homemade Paella, a picnic at Cherokee Lake with Irene’s bicycle friends, and 12 new restaurants from French to Italian to Middle East, and a couple of new local brew pubs too.

Homemade Paella à la Lawrence

Serena (age 10) and Hannah (age 9) are both doing well. They keep us grounded and did great during the confusing year of contractors and construction in the house.

Serena & Hannah - a favorite painting

We look forward to another year of love and friends. If you’re travelling nearby, please think about stopping in the Great Smokey Mountains of Appalachia for a visit.

                        With our love and good wishes for the next year, Steve & Irene

Sunset in our backyard

Here's an attempt to summarize our entire year in just a few pages.

I know that many of our friends hear about our adventures on various social media, but here’s an attempt to summarize our entire year in just a few pages.

First – a quick update. We’re still loving east Tennessee, and we started a “B*I*G” renovation/remodel project on our 65-year old house: everything from new plumbing and green electrics to a new beautiful “chef’s kitchen” and a personal steam and shower bath. Irene’s business (www.affordablecleaningtn.com) is doing great – her clients love her and she thrives as her own boss. Steve continues to teach Political Science at the local college (he won a couple of awards for his work) and enjoys his busy online teaching for international “expats” too. So – scroll around the pictures and text below and enjoy some of the stories.

** Click on any picture for a full-screen view...**

The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina was the home built by George Vanderbilt. We loved the Van Gogh multi-media art experience in Feb 22.

Snow in March 2022 – it only happens a couple of times each year in TN. 

Easter 2022 Breakfast – Lox and Bagels on our porch. Apr 22

7 Islands Bird Park (near Knoxville) offered a ranger-led hike around the shores of the Tennessee River. May 22

The Skymart Art Fair on Main Street – Irene demonstrated making Ojo de Dios (Eye of God) and taught the cultural history of these pieces. May 22

Travis and Abby brought her parents to visit TN – they loved Gatlinburg and Dollywood. May 22  

We continue to enjoy exploring the Appalachian south – a weekend getaway to Ashville included a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Jun 22

Irene’s friends organized a trip to experience kayaking underground in some old Kentucky caves. Jul 22

The tiny town of Cumberland Gap (where TN, KY, and VA meet) invited Irene to teach Native American Art for their annual art festival. Aug 22

We joined friends for a dinner cruise along the Tennessee River in Knoxville. Sep 22

Irene was invited by the TN Arts Commission to a reception at the Knoxville Art Museum – then, of course, we found our way to Dancing Bear Lodge for a great outdoor dinner. Sep 22

Arts in the Park featured Irene’s HOLA Umbrellas. Sep 22

Steve was invited to present Civics Engagement to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Oct 22

The Halloween fundraiser for the Morristown Theatre Guild Gala – Maleficent and her Raven. Oct 22

Steve’s birthday at Chesapeake’s Nov 22

Then beginning in 2023:

Steve won a grant to create a special “Community Engagement for Civics Education” class where his students taught the public about our government. Mar 23 - and...

...then Steve was invited to participate in an academic forum in New York City - and yes, he did chat with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.

Irene collaborated with 4 local artists to create “Round Robin Art” at the Home Show. Mar 23

Steve was invited to present a paper at the APSA (American Political Science Association) meeting in Baltimore. Yes, we had some great seafood meals too! February 23

Steve was a featured speaker for the UTK (University of TN at Knoxville) Voter Participation conference. Mar 23

Irene’s sister Lizz and husband Lyle have joined us for some great times. Easter 23

Baxter Gardens (a private home) is only open to visitors for 3 weeks each year. Apr 23

Senator Diana Harshbarger visited Steve’s college class. Apr 23

So...there you have it! A year in the life of Irene and Steve...

We welcome your comments and visits too! Peace & Love from Irene and Steve.