I socialized!

Last week one of my co-workers reminded me that once I had suggested we have lunch, so we set up lunch for today when we thought it would be warmer. 

He also said that he didn't know what the rules are anymore - regarding Covid and what is safe  - and I don't either - and I don't think any of us are confident. 

Two vaccinated, boosted people, eating outdoors, used to be safe. With Omicron, the second most contagious virus in the world, is it?
Next question - if it isn't, does it matter? By which I mean, we have social needs. We did not evolve as solitary creatures. 

I remembered a local restaurant with outdoor seating and called and was told I couldn't reserve outdoor seating, but, if we got there before it was filled, we'd be fine. 

He arrived right on time and they told him they weren't seating people outdoors. WHAT??? So before figuring out a Plan B I marched in and told them that I had called ahead to reserve a spot and had been told that I could be seated outdoors! Well, you've seen my hat. Would you mess with me? They immediately seated us outdoors. 

We were completely stunned. My lunch companion was impressed. 

After we were seated around the fire pit a woman came out from the restaurant and asked if were expecting more people or if it was ok if she 
joined us outside. Then she and her friend left the inside of the restaurant
to go outside. 

We wore coats and hats and finger-free mittens and both sets of us loved dining together. We talked about travel and trees and gardens and batteries and nuclear energy and we laughed and I was giddy afterwards. 

On the bright side, we both agree that humanity is completely safe from space aliens. No one would come near us now. 

Happy Solstice!