I get the nervousness about venturing into possibly crowded public spaces, especially where masks are unlikely. After a medical crisis in 2018, my husband and son have been especially careful of my health. I survived a PE with pneumonia, among a plethora of other issues — so, I'm really careful too — which started with a bout of flu. Apparently, that year saw a flu strain that was not covered by the vaccination I'd received the previous autumn.

My husband works in a grocery store and says people are donning masks again. Our has seen a rise in flu, covid, and RSV infections. I mean, my husband and I have had all three vaccinations this year. But, I'd still rather not risk it. Seriously, any one of those infections could kill me.

Best to stay home. But, we did visit back and forth between our son's house and here. We did his birthday with him and his partner at his house. He and she did Christmas Day here. It was calm and peaceful and lovely.

Plus, most of the time, the restaurants in our price range are disappointing. I'm not bragging — I'm just a better cook, honestly. My husband would rather have my Alfredo or Primavera than Olive Garden's any day.