Christmas Season Begins

Saturday Dan and I went to the Sons of the Republic of Texas/Daughters of the Republic of Texas (SRT/DRT) Christmas luncheon. It was held at the Oscar Store. Oscar was a little Czech village, founded in the late nineteenth century. In 1896, its heyday, it had a population of 115 and had a cotton gin, a hotel, a general store, a blacksmith and a barber. All that remains is the Oscar Store, which is actually a restaurant now. It is a reconstruction of the original Oscar Store, which burned to the ground in 2005. It's one of our favorite places to go for a hearty Texas dinner. The heartiness of the banquet lunch we were served yesterday was no exception - steak, baked potato, green beans, hot roll and, for dessert, peach cobbler! It was more than I could eat for a noon meal, so I asked for a take-out container and brought home enough for another meal. 

Then, on Saturday evening, we went, along with our friends Kay and Andy, to the Temple Symphony Holiday Concert, which always the kicks-off the holiday season for us. As always it was wonderful. This was the first time the whole orchestra has gathered for a performance in two years, due to COVID precautions. So it was especially joyous!

So now, our tree is decorated, the living room is aglow with sparkly lights, I've done my shopping, and made and mailed my Christmas cards. We will be attending a few other celebrations before Christmas Day, but we are already well into the Christmas spirit.

Thanksgiving 2021

Thanksgiving 2021 marks the second Thanksgiving with COVID. Our family has coped with this pandemic in different ways. Dan and I spent months in fairly strict isolation. When the vaccine became available, we felt, due to our age and other health issues, that it was the right thing for us, so we are fully vaccinated and have had the booster shot. Though we realize it's not 100%-certain protection, it did give us some confidence to gather, once again, with friends and family. Tim spent months working from home while the UNM campus was closed, and he, also, has been vaccinated and is now working back on campus. Chris, Kelsey and the grands opted not to be vaccinated. They all did come down with COVID, but recovered without too many problems. All of that is to say we ARE thankful for the various ways God has kept us safe these past two years.

And so, we celebrated Thanksgiving Day together as a family last week. Tim drove from Albuquerque to be with us, which made our family circle complete. Chris, Kelsey and the grands set up camp (a fun Thanksgiving tradition), with their motorhome, at a campground in San Antonio. Tim, Dan and I spent Wednesday and Thursday nights in a hotel near the Riverwalk, but our daytime hours were at the campground with the others.  

Robert's 12th birthday was right before Thanksgiving, so on Wednesday evening we gathered at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Riverwalk for a celebratory dinner. It was a lot of fun, and the Riverwalk, decorated for the holidays, was beautiful. 

 

The next day - Thanksgiving Day - we gathered at the motorhome. Wednesday's weather had been warm and pleasant, but on Thursday we had a lot of rain early in the morning. The rest of the day was damp, windy and a bit chilly. Robert had wanted me to go fishing with him, but the weather wasn't right for that. Instead we stayed indoors all day, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on TV, playing a game or two, visiting and enjoying each other's company. Kelsey and Chris prepared a wonderful holiday meal, and afterward we went outside and took a few family pictures.  

 

 

Friday morning Tim, Dan and I headed back home, to Temple. Tim was able to rest up that afternoon and evening, and then started home on Saturday morning. He arrived in Albuquerque at around 7:45 pm (MST), which was 8:45 pm for us. I always breathe a little easier once he texts me that he's made it home safely.

It was a great Thanksgiving - one of the best, for me. Just having all our loved ones with us was such a blessing.