LeeP.

Like wearing a wool sweater, 2009 was an uncomfortable year for me. I lost my groove. My mojo went missing. In basketball terms, I was throwing up bricks. In golfing terms, I lost my swing and couldn't get it back.

But rough patches teach us lessons, and I learned a lot this year. My realizations can be summed up in a string of cliches: enjoy the journey, live in the moment, and treasure those you love (and who love you) above all else.

Despite having a splintered attention on a variety of problems, I had my best year of freelancing to date. My newest venture is teaching art appreciation at Trine University. (I still get the giggles when the students call me, "Professor Sauer.")

An article I sold to "Boy's Life" magazine two or three years ago finally appeared in the August issue. I thought I'd be deluged with messages from friends and colleagues, but didn't get a one. (I don't know if that's a comment on me, the article, or the magazine.)

I'm hard at work on my second self-publishing project. It's the first in a series titled, "Drawing on History," and shows kids how to draw major historical figures. The first book is on, of course, Abraham Lincoln.

I started (or re-started) playing the banjo this year. Most of you know that I've had a banjo since high school, but it has sat in its case in a closet for most of the last 33 years. This year I resolved to master that sucker, so I signed up for lessons. The lessons made a big difference. It's amazing how much pleasure you can gain from something when it involves a manageable amount of pain and struggle.

Thanks for visiting with us. Tune in again next year. Same time, same station.

LeeP.