Are you ready for 2020 to end? Between COVID and the effect it’s had on the economy to shutdowns and a highly unusual election that split families down the middle, I sure am ready for a new year to begin.

Gov. Greg Abbott and other Texas leaders are rolling up their sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine and to encourage the public to follow suit.

This might be a rather strange holiday piece, but here goes; I was thinking the other day about folks who might not be having a Hallmark Greeting Card kind of holiday season. I’m not talking about the truly destitute in terribly dire straits, although there’s plenty of that in this so-called Land of Plenty, especially with the pandemic--- and not only at holiday time. I was thinking about those of us who are doing OK, but for one reason or another just won’t be having a giggly, goofy, riotous holiday season full of travel, gifts and endless party invitations---like we see on TV and in movies. You start to think if you aren’t doing those things that there’s something wrong with you or your life. Well, it isn’t so!

It’s hard to believe Christmas is only two days away, so I want to personally take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy holiday. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Channukah or Kwanzaa, it is a time to celebrate not only the true meaning of the holiday, but to also celebrate family, friends and the traditions that make these December days so special.

When the Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 12, a key question is how the public will have access to their lawmakers during the pandemic.

I’ve had some writer’s block lately. Part of it’s my continuing disbelief/anxiety over political events/climate, hatred and division in our country. I suppose I’ll just have to learn to live with it, for now. There doesn’t seem to be much else I can do. Helplessness isn’t a happy human condition.

What a blessing it is to be here in Bosque County, Texas. When I was offered the position here as publisher of the Clifton Record and the Meridian Tribune, I was thrilled by the very thought of coming back to Texas. In addition, I was delighted to hear that the communities of Clifton and Meridian were such great supporters of the newspaper.

Amid a pandemic that led to school and business closings, thousands of Central Texans opened their hearts and wallets and donated a record amount of nonperishable food to fill the shelves of 19 pantries in nine area counties during this year’s Food For Families drive.

Texas is ready to distribute 1.4 million doses as soon as the COVID-19 vaccine receives federal government approval. Gov.