Navigating social gatherings again

"TX hospitality means kindness and warm welcome. Most Texans invite people into their homes as friends. When invited, bring what you want, unless told what to bring by the hostess. In this case, bring what you want and come as you are." My neighbor provided this to me in response to my confession that we are still trying to navigate Texas hospitality. Get togethers with neighbors have been few and far between. At least for our neighborhood.

The gathering is today. We are going to plan our Christmas party for the Mirage -- our neighborhood. A room has been reserved at the resort. It is a tradition that we've not yet participated in. Our first Christmas here all gatherings were outdoors, and many people opted to simply stay home. The virus was

really scary in December 2020. Last year we spent Christmas in Montana. Mary really wanted to experience a Family Club Christmas. I am so glad that we did!! It did not disappoint. Ironically, it is the first club Christmas that I'd gone to in years! We celebrated there and didn't do much in Texas.

Mary and I have been traveling throughout the pandemic. It just didn't seem feasible not too. We are careful. Although, I do think we finally got COVID as a result of our flight back from Montana this summer. We'd been exposed a couple of times on that trip. It was so sad to see the positive result. We had done so well for so long. Inevitably, it seems, all are destined to catch it at some point. It seems COVID-19 has gone, or is going, from a pandemic to an endemic.

Our neighborhood in Denver as fantastic. A real community. I've not experienced that much in my adult life. Growing up we knew all of our neighbors. Our community here in San Antonio, Texas is very much like that. We are so blessed.

Travel changed significantly 21 years ago today. 9.11.01