SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday ordered state flags to half-staff in memory of the late Sen.

I have been saddened lately about the turmoil I’ve seen in our great country; I agree the pandemic is not helping the matter. During one of many sleepless nights I’ve had lately, I caught a glimpse of a latenight carnival type salesman on the computer or television talking about last year and maybe I read some sarcasm in the way he talked. He explained that if you didn’t like it, just wait, there’s more to come.

The Year of Our Lord 2021 is here. What a dangerous, scary and dark road we walked to get here.

Dear Editor; To Ms. Herrell: First, let me define a bit of my history.

It is during these times of continual unrest as a nation and society in which a state of peace seems more and more difficult to achieve. A state of peace for our nation might seem a little out of reach right now, but the state of peace that is right within our reach is our own. In my opinion, things like peace and joy are, for the most part, a choice. They are things we must not simply hope to come by throughout our lives, but instead they are things we must chase after fervently.

Remember the saying “if only these walls could talk?” Well, I have this penny that I received as change for a fuel purchase at a local gas station about a month ago and I thought the same here “if only it could talk.” The likeness of President Lincoln is very worn and its date that really caught my attention is 1919. I had to get a magnifying glass to confirm that.

Dear Editor; Has this newspaper interviewed he local politicians and leaders about the their part in the recent events and the part that people like Rep. Yvette Herrell and Couy Griffin.

Vaccine rollout Dear Editor; Although everyone is happy to see the vaccines arrival and begin the process of getting back to normal, I am alarmed with the speed, or lack thereof, of getting shots into arms. The delay can be laid squarely at the feet of the outgoing administration.

Celebrating the holiday season amid the pandemic left people of all ages wondering about familial relationships while pondering long-standing traditions. Some folks refused to stay home for a variety of reasons; others hunkered down.

Well, we made it into 2021 and I cautiously look for all its pending surprises to come. I looked out the front room window at our automobiles on the driveway and realized they are a year older now.