Author’s note: Always having been terrible at filing, I’m currently going through lots and lots of posts that are ‘uncategorized’ in an attempt to organize them somehow. I thought this one was already published (and therefore sent to some automatically), but now I’m doubtful, so I’m hitting “Publish” again. My apologies if you’re seeing this again. -mr

December 31st, 2021.

I’ve been procrastinating about writing this month’s blog and even considered skipping it altogether. All things considered, I am ready for this year to be over. But just the other day, my daughter told me that my 15-year-old grandson recently discovered the blog I wrote after we were wiped out by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He especially liked the posts about him; he was born just a few months after. It was just what I needed to get over my mental block and sit down and write.

I can’t believe how much has changed in Bandera since we were here in March. More people. More traffic. Not surprising, given all the people moving to Texas and discovering what a great place it is—especially the further one gets away from the cities and suburbs. I’m grateful we get to do that once a week on our Meals on Wheels route.

The last address on the route takes us to the very outskirts of Bandera. To get there, we drive about ten miles out of town, down a 2-lane highway at 70 mph, through a state-run natural area, down a gravel road, past an electronic gate, and finally, onto the property. Craggy, dead mesquite trees line both sides of the narrow and windy, rutted and rocky road that leads to the modest house where this elderly couple lives. Laying aside the creepiness of the dead mesquite trees, the harsh, simple and rustic beauty of this wide, open space is astounding. I can only imagine how heavenly the night sky must look from here and how quiet it must be.

Although living in the middle of nowhere is not my cup of tea, I can appreciate the idea of being far away from people. And I’m a people person! I don’t know if it’s all the BS our country—heck, our world—has gone through, but mandates and guidelines have definitely had an negative impact on me. It’s hard to be optimistic. The Truth is so difficult to ascertain anymore.

Aside from not watching television for almost two years and being totally off Facebook for almost one, I just finished seven days of not reading anything except necessary recipes, directions and text messages. (It was an assignment for a class I’m taking.) The first day wasn’t easy—especially the first couple of hours when I nearly drove Dave insane. It was almost like detoxing! I didn’t realize how often I looked at my phone out of boredom. But each day became easier, especially when he would give me the thumbnail sketch of current events. “Oh, is that what I’m missing?” I’d ask jokingly. And the truth is, the news IS a joke because you don’t know what to believe anymore. Anyway, a week of no reading was thought provoking, which may very well have been the whole point of the assignment: to discern information and think for myself.

Besides the writing class, I’m teaching myself to knit, which—if anything can be fun and frustrating at the same time—is fast becoming an addiction, probably as a result of not being able to read for a week. It all started when I saw that the library here was offering free classes. I went to one class and I was hooked. Literally! I’m sure it gets easier with practice, but right now knitting and purling provide challenge enough. One thing is for certain: I’ll never look at a sweater the same way again.

Let’s hope and pray for the best in the New Year, that things turn around in a good way, that we’ll all be happy, safe, healthy and solvent. Good riddance, 2021. I hope to never see the likes of you again.

Until next month, much love and long hugs…Maria