Pandemic Week 94: Happy New Year 2022

Storm & Anna at Deep Creek Lake
We made it to 2022!  Looking back on last new year, there was so much hope and expectations for returning to normal.  There were vaccines on the horizon, a change in political leadership.... surely things would be better. A few days into 2021, there was a riot at the Capitol that was a reminder there would not be a return to "normal."  While we do have vaccines and were at last able to visit family and friends and resume many activities, we started the new year with another COVID surge, more masks and another round of social distancing.  As a result, New Year's was a quiet affair again.  We did have a chance to get a change of scenery over the holidays.  Perhaps it was symbolic that it was rainy and cloudy the entire week.

We headed to Deep Creek Lake, Maryland for a few nights after Christmas.  The original vision for the trip was to meet up with some of the Ohio family and enjoy some skiing.  It ended up being just the three of us and Storm .... and absolutely no snow (but there was a lot of rain).  Uncle Rod and Uncle Tim both had COVID.  Joe was still under the weather.  Storm had a double ear infection that required a trip to the local vet.  We did get some breaks in the rain, so Theresa and Anna were able to do a little hiking.  We had a lovely place, but there was limited internet connectivity and really no tv.  This forced us into some crazy activities - like playing board games, reading and doing non-connected things.  It was a nice change of scenery.  As always, Storm was the most enthusiastic for the trip - even with the vet trip.

Anna got to spend New Year's Eve with a small group of her friends.  Fortunately, the weather was warm, and someone had an outdoor gathering (masks required).  Well, it was outdoors until it started to rain.  This was still an improvement over last year in that she was able to meet up with her friends, albeit in a mask.  It did occur to us that she has spent her entire time in high school in a mask.  Joe & Theresa enjoyed a nice dinner and watched Don't Look Up, a movie about the end of the world (again, perhaps not the best choice for New Year's).  New Year's Day was another rainy one, which was a perfect opportunity to take down the holiday decorations.

It is back to school and back to work this week for Anna and Theresa.  The school already sent out a note that they plan to remain in-person.  This was a relief as some schools have already announced they are returning to virtual learning in January.  After another record warm day (65 degrees), snow is in the forecast for tonight.  This probably means no school tomorrow.  Happy New Year!




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