Thanks to Mellowdee, I'm going to give a go at my 2009 faves, perhaps with a few tweeks. I haven't thought this out very well. And my memory occassionally fails me.

Best fiction book read: Oh jeez. Probably "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" (Jamie Ford). Dan Brown's "Lost Symbol" came in second.

Best non-fiction book: Theodore Roosvelt's adventure down "The River of Doubt". Fascinating.

Best album: Susan Boyle (the only one I bought all year!)

Best motion picture: From TV, "Million Dollar Baby" (never went to the theatre)

Best documentary: None, except a couple of good things on TV.

Best television series: Big Bang Theory. Hilarious. I like Antique Roadshow, too.

Best political event: No question it was Pres. Obama's inaug.

Best food event: Besides Pizza Hut's noon buffet for $5? The nod goes to Thanksgiving and Christmas (tie) family meals (ham and turkey with all the "trimmin's".

Best visitors: My children from Honduras and Calif., plus a new grandson.

Best accomplishment: Boardwalk demolition/reconstruction at Caladesi Island FL, and trail work in Medicine Bow Mts. WY.--both Wilderness Volunteer projects.

Best party: Does a golf outing count? Free beer anyway.

Best sport event: When I shot my age in golf (66) last Aug.

Best of the Best: Tough choice. Dad still alive (age 91)? Sister moving in with me? New grandson? Success of daughter and SIL in their new organic farming business? My "adventures"? No more George W. Bush?

Despite the economy, yes, it was a very good year. And this one promises to be even better!