Bay Area Houston Magazine - JANUARY 2024

2024

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IN AMERICA |

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B AYA R E A H O U S TO N M A G . C O M

W E S TA N D W I T H I S R A E L

Janurary 2024

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TEXAS CITY

 Clear Lake Hospital  Emergency Care  Primary Care  Specialty Care  Breast Care  Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

We empower people to thrive.

Allegiance Bank and CommunityBank of Texas have come together as Stellar Bank.

While our name has changed, our commitment to serving our customers and supporting our local communities will stay the same.

We look forward to a bright future together.

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Make your big day a day your guests won’t forget.

Hyatt Regency Baytown – Houston is the place for any and every occasion. Here, you’ll find world-class service and cuisine with a gorgeous backdrop of Bayland Island and the Fred Hartman Bridge. Celebrate your special day at the Hyatt Regency Baytown, and leave the details to us.

For reservations, visit hyattregency.com HYATT REGENCY BAYTOWN – HOUSTON 100 Convention Center Way Baytown, Texas 77520 The HYATT trademark and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation or its affiliates. © 2023 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

JANUARY 2024 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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A E NM U B A R Y S E PJ T E R

features 8

BAHEP Business Spotlight Greene Appraisal, LLC.

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Women Who Wine Making Chistmas Happy For Others

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Beauty By Blaine Glam Up The New Year

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Thoughts On Speckled Trout?

Public Comments Set To Open Soon

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One Word for 2024 Pastor Brad Asks Us To Choose

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Kelly Williams’s Dad Remembered

ON THE COVER

A new adventure is heading to the Bay Area.

Serendipity Yacht Cruises and Events is expanded, new, and different!

Chairman Rick Clapp

columns

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Features Editor Halie Briggs

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Bay Area Houston Magazine is produced monthly. All rights reserved.

Material may not be reproduced by any means whatsoever without written permission.

Advertising rates are available upon request.

Please address all correspondence to: Bay Area Houston Magazine P.O. Box 1032 Seabrook, TX 77586 Earth, The Solar System

Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2024

Car Renewal 2024 Texas Meditations Depression and Anxiety

Editorial Patty Andrew GH Andrew Don Armstrong Mary Alys Cherry Michael Gos Blaine Ochoa

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Clear Lake Chatter 2

Bring On The New Year

Creative Director Kelly Williams

281.474.5875

Panhellenic Happy Days Fashion Show

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General Manager Patty Andrew

www.BayAreaHoustonMag.com r.clapp@baygroupmedia.com

Clear Lake Chatter 1

Jingle and Mingle Holiday Party

Publisher & Editor in Chief Mary Alys Cherry

Photography GH Andrew Mary Alys Cherry

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President Amber Sample

Sales & Marketing Amber Sample Bill Sloan Robyn Weigelt

We Say Goodbye

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Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Spotlight BRANDY GATES AND CEF

B

randy Gates has a passion for helping make the greater Bay Area a wonderous place to live and raise a family. For the past 30 years, Brandy has worked with a variety of not-for-profit and for-profit organizations to elevate this area that so many of us call home. From her 15-year membership on the Bay Area Houston Go Red For Women Luncheon Committee to her service on the Boards of the Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theater and League City Chamber of Commerce and the Alumni Board of the University of Houston Clear Lake, she is always looking for ways to give back to and support our community.

Beyond her professional engagements, Brandy has a passion for travel and knitting but her proudest “title” is that of “Mom” to her two boys with family remaining her top priority. As a mother, Brandy is dedicated to supporting and enhancing educational opportunities for young students. For this reason, she joined CEF, an educational non-profit headquartered in Arlington, Virginia for the past 35-years.

CEF saw the potential in expanding to the greater Houston area by hiring Brandy as its first fully remote employee in May 2021. As the Chief Development Officer, Brandy is focused on leading CEF's philanthropic mission to build interest and excitement in K-8 students to continue science and STEMrelated education throughout high school, skilled trades, college, and into the workforce. Her efforts involve raising funds through sponsorships and grants, building strategic relationships with corporate and individual donors, creating community partnerships, and encouraging employee volunteerism.

CEF’s flagship program, the Challenge, is a STEM competition for student teams in grades 5-8. The goal is to prepare the over 10,000 student participants for STEM careers and equip them to develop community-based solutions to address real-world questions.

Houston plays a critical role in the Challenge, hosting two of the Regional Challenge events, sponsored by industry powerhouses Univar Solutions in North Houston and LyondellBasell at the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical Energy and Technology at San Jacinto College: Central in the Greater Bay Area.

The National Challenge, which brings together the five winning teams

from across North America, will take place at the Westin Houston Memorial City on June 10-11, 2024. This is the 20th Anniversary year of the Challenge, and the third year in a row that the National Challenge will take place in Houston, a hub of aerospace, maritime, specialty chemical, healthcare, education, and small business.

For those interested in supporting the future STEM workforce or learning more about CEF's programs, Brandy encourages reaching out to her directly at bgates@ chemed.org or visiting the CEF website at www.chemed.org.

WWW OF TEXAS

Spreading Christmas Cheer and gifts to Bay Elementary and League City Elementary

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Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2024

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Beauty withBlaine

Welcome 2024 and all the wonder the new year will bring.

Dazzle into January and the new chapter of your life with confidence with these fantastic beauty products. Each day is a gift and it is up to us to choose what to do with it, how we want to live our lives and how we want to impact others.

Cheers to 2024 and Happy New Year.

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CHANEL - LE ROUGE DUO ULTRA TENUE ULTRAWEAR LIQUID LIP COLOUR $45 (SHADE MERRY ROSE) This luxurious lipstick and lipgloss duo is one of my favorites.

It is an exceptional liquid lipstick color combined with a high shine gloss, creating the perfect pair. It showcases intense rich color and gives a long lasting wear. The lip duo is infused with high quality ingredients that helps the lipstick to glide smoothly and evenly across the lips and dries quickly. The gloss then coats the lips with incredible shine and hydration.

Chanel.com

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BLAINE BEAUTY - STELLAR EYESHADOW PALETTE $50 This must have 3 piece eyeshadow set, new to Blaine Beauty, helps create a sexy, smoky eye look. It is conveniently designed with a mirror compact and small eyeshadow brush included for easy application. The luxury formulated shades consist of a dark charcoal matte, polychromatic steel gray, and light pink eyeshadow. The Stellar Eyeshadow Palette creates a sensual & dramatic eye look, sure to make a sparkling and powerful impression.

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ORIBE - COTE D’AZUR HAIR REFRESHER $26

I was recently in the market for a hair product that adds an incredible scent to my hair, and my hair stylist recommended this hair refresher and I’m obsessed. It gently mists the hair with Oribe’s signature fragrance, while enveloping the hair with antioxidants and ingredients that nourish, smooth and protect the hair from static and oxidative stress. It is the perfect finishing product and leaves the hair feeling refreshed and smelling amazing.

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LANCÔME - CRÈME RADIANCE $34

This delicate crème to foam facial cleanser is soft and gentle on the skin while also very purifying. It consists of a beautiful balance of science and nature. The product penetrates and cleanses pores and removes makeup while nourishing the skin with antioxidants such as white lotus and rose extracts. It gives your skin a luminous and radiant healthy glow and leaves you feeling pampered and confident.

Lancome-usa.com

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KEVIN.MURPHY - SESSION.SPRAY $36

This finishing hair spray is the perfect combination if you want a strong hold when styling your hair, yet also want to be able to brush out your hair. It is not heavy and provides wonderful humidity resistance and flexibly when styling, without leaving a flaky residue. It smells delightful and protects against frizz and heat damage.

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XO

Blaine

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Emergencies happen.

We’re right here when they do.

A health emergency is something most of us would rather prevent than plan for. But when you need medical care fast, the closest emergency room is a smart thing to know. As your community partner, St. Luke's Health is your direct path from feeling scared or uncomfortable to feeling better. Get to know more about our ERs before an emergency strikes.

Find your nearest location at StLukesHealth.org/Emergency.

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INFORMATIVE & FUN! JUST PLAIN FUN!

To Be NOW a Guest on STREAMING

The Kelly Williams Show ON ROKU! Contact us: 281.474.5875

thekellywilliamsshow@gmail.com JANUARY 2024 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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Happy Days!

12 Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2024

Panhellenic Style Show

Kevin Venable, Amy Skicki, Cyndy Butcher, Charlton Cotton and Kristi Neal, from left, can hardly wait to get the League City Chamber’s Jingle and Mingle Holiday Party started.

Cathy & Greg Copeland stop for a photo as they arrive at the League City Chamber holiday celebration.

Jingle and Mingle League City Chamber Jingle & Mingle Celebration Chamber Office Dec. 5, 2023

League City Chamber CEO Bryan Bolton, left, welcomes Andrew Mytchak to the Jingle and Mingle Holiday Party.

Shelly Long, Gina Downs and Kim Bullard, from left, say they are ready to party down as they arrive at the League City Chamber for the Jingle and Mingle party.

Jonathon and Nikki Keeth were among the many attending this year’s Jingle and Mingle Party at the League City Chamber.

Early arrivals for the League City Chamber’s Jingle and Mingle holiday celebration included Regina Cruz, left, and Kari Norlander.

It’s party time, League City Chamber President and CEO Bryan Bolton, from left, tells Gina Downs, Cathy Copeland, Shasta Martin, Don Smith and Carl Joiner as they arrive at the chamber to Jingle and Mingle.

JANUARY 2024 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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From Everyone at Bay Area Houston Magazine & The Kelly Williams Show JANUARY 2024 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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www.gulfcoastmariner.com

By Capt. David C. Dillman galvestonbaycharterfishing.com (832) 228-8012

Public Comment Period Set To Open On Speckled Trout

I

've mentioned the proposed limit changes for 2024 on speckled trout in Texas in a previous article. Sometimes you have to rehash a subject in order for everyone to be aware of what the new rule could be concerning our speckled trout.

We all should remember the big freeze in 2021 that impacted the entire state of Texas. According to Dakus Geeslin, Texas Parks and Wildlife deputy director of Coastal Fisheries, "That was the largest freeze related fish kill since the 1980s."

Speckled trout have a lower thermal tolerance, and as Geeslin directly says, "Speckled trout 'take it on the nose' every time we get a freeze."

Following the 2021 freeze, the Texas Parks and Wildlife commission enacted an emergency measure for the South Texas bays then expanded that measure from Matagorda and all bays south to the tip of Texas. This emergency measure lasted approximately three spawning seasons. The emergency regulation ended at the end of August fish in our water giving an indication that a 'recovery' the lifespan of a trout, around 6 - 7 years, to see the 2023, reverting back to our current 5 trout per day, results." is taking place." Creel surveys show a decrease in per angler, 15-25 inches, with one over 25 inches.

Once this proposed rule change is published the harvest of speckled trout by the angler, but that It was then that some anglers voiced their concern about the emergency measure expiring and wanted it could be attributes to the 3 fish emergency limit and in the Texas Register, a public comment period will open. The Coastal Fisheries Department plans catch and release practices. to remain in place. to hold a public hearing to gather public comment The preliminary results from the scoping meetings The coastal fishery department then hosted in early January. The commissioners meet in late and Texas Parks and Wildlife surveys showed six scoping meetings up and down the Texas coast January and will have the final say on this rule recreational anglers and guides support some type along with sending out angler surveys. The survey of limit reduction. The most support gathered around change. This change will go into effect sometime in included different slot limit proposals, including no the Spring of 2024. a 3 fish daily bag limit with a slot size of 15 - 20 change from the current state speckled trout limit.

I've seen all this play out before, from agendas According to Geeslin, "Since the freeze of 2021, the inches, and one of those fish could be over 25 inches in length. The least supported option was a five fish concerning fish and shrimp to even oysters. I've catch rate has been less than the 10 year average, limit having a 17 - 23 inch slot size, and one of those attended most, if not all, the scoping meetings and some of the lowest since 2009. Over the past 10 hearings and even spoke at the commissioner years, around 40 percent of the fish we catch in our fish over 25 inches. hearings in Austin concerning most of these subjects.

Geeslin said, "If we have the slot limit of 15 - 20 gill net sampling are in the 14 -16 class. Less than I'm fairly certain Texas Parks and Wildlife have inches and a three fish bag limit, we could see a 10 percent of the fish are 25 inches greater. We've potential 27 percent increase in spawning biomass. their minds made up, but it's always good to voice seen an increase in recruitment since the freeze in your opinion.

That will not happen overnight and could take the 2021, and that's good. There's simply more young

Breast surgical oncologist joins Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Continuing to provide comprehensive, specialized health care to the local community, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital this month welcomed breast surgical oncologist Michelino Scarlata, M.D. The addition of Scarlata means that breast cancer patients in Clear Lake and surrounding areas can receive specialized surgical techniques tailored to their individual needs without traveling far from home.

Scarlata is a board-certified surgeon who is fellowship-trained in surgical oncology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Verona School of Medicine in Verona, Italy. He completed multiple general surgery residencies – the last of which was at Saint Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan in New York.

Scarlata completed his surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Cancer Center in Florida.

“As a breast surgical oncologist at Houston 16 Bay Area Houston Magazine | JANUARY 2024

Methodist Clear Lake, my goal is to provide the highest quality patient-centered care that results in a personalized treatment plan for each patient,” said Scarlata.

His clinical interests include multiple complex mastectomies, not limited to modified radical, nipple-sparing, skin-sparing and risk-reducing mastectomies. He also performs hidden-scar breast surgery and oncoplastic technique.

Scarlata’s professional affiliations include American College of Surgeons, European Society of Surgical Oncology, Society of Oncoplastic Surgery, Society of Surgical Oncology and The American Society of Breast Surgeons.

Scarlata is now serving patients at 18100 Houston Methodist Drive, Medical Office Building 2, Suite 300, Houston, 77058. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call Houston Methodist Department of Surgery at Clear Lake, at 832.783.1190 or visit houstonmethodist.org/ doctor/michelino-scarlata

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One Word for 2024

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By Pastor Brad Heintz

o new year’s resolutions work for you? They really don’t work for me. Maybe I’m weak minded or lack will power but for some reason my New Year’s resolutions should be labeled January wishes because that’s about as long as they last.

When I used to make New Year’s resolutions and break them, I would feel guilty. There is nothing wrong with guilt, which is feeling bad about something I have done or not done, as long as it leads to positive change. But when guilt sets in, it can be a slippery slope to shame. Shame is not good because shame is a feeling that I am a bad person because of something I have done or not done. Nothing good comes from shame. And when it comes to New Year’s resolutions or January wishes, I don’t want to feel guilt or shame. I want to have a good year, make some changes and see some growth personally. What is a person to do?

A number of years ago, I was encouraged to not make any new year’s resolutions but rather seek one word for my year. This has transformed not only how I start a new year, but how I live the entire year. The difference between making new year’s resolutions and focusing on one word for the year is the difference between you and God. New year resolutions depend on you. The one-word approach depends on God and He can last for a really long time and has the power to transform us. The proof of this is when He sent Jesus into the world to give His life for us. Therefore, the one-word approach will bring focus and clarity on whom God wants us to be. Unlike resolutions, one words don’t break and can be lived out with God’s help.

So how do you choose your one word for the new year? Here are some simple guidelines that I have gleaned and use.

1.Prepare Your Heart: Take time to look into your heart, mind and soul and examine your life on what is working, what isn’t working and what needs to be done.

2.Discover Your Word: Take time to look up to God and listen to Him. He speaks to us through His Word, others, and in our prayers, thoughts and dreams. Ask God, “What do you want to do in, through and around me in the New Year?” Write down what comes to mind.

3.Decide on Your Word: Now it is time to decide on one word. Ask God to show you one word out all that you are thinking and written down. Write: My One Word is _____________________ 4.Live Your Word: Once you have decided on your word, research it online, in a dictionary and in the Bible and learn about it. Then it’s time to start using it every day, in everything you do and how you live your life. Don’t forget to share your word with a family and friends.

For more ideas on One Word for the new year go to: www.myoneword.org www.getoneword.com www.OneWord365.com I pray that your new year will be blessed by focusing on one word and what God wants to do in and through you this year.

Pastor Brad Heintz is the founding pastor of Living Word Church in Taylor Lake Village, Texas, a vibrant family-style, non-denominational gathering of believers who take a pure, simple and real approach to faith and life. www.LWCBA.org

Remembering Kelly Williams's father - John Paul Spees, Sr. -

J

ohn Paul Spees Sr. was born in 1936 in Gary, Indiana to Adrian and Ernestine Spees. He was known as Paul, Dad, Pappy, or Uncle Paul. Paul moved to Maplewood, Louisiana in 1946 with his family: two brothers, Skipper and Billy, and sisters Sally, Margret, and Marietta. Extremely talented, he began playing piano by ear, and also learned to play the accordion, and began playing for audiences at age 10.

He graduated from Lake Charles High School and enlisted in the Navy to serve with his big brother, Skipper, who was a Navy Pilot. He lived the next 2 years on the USS Randolph Carrier. Although he was accepted to the Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School, he headed home to attend McNeese State University, where he was was president of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. In 1958 he met and married his beautiful wife Sheila Sarver.

Blessed with four children and their spouses: Lisa and her husband Mark, his son - John Paul Jr. (J.P.) and his wife, Michele, Kelly and

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her husband Paul, and Tracy and her husband Junico.

Paul and Sheila also have fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In 1975 he competed in the World Skeet Shooting Championship and was voted into the Black Hawk Indians Elite Professional Skeet Shooting Group.

In 1983, Paul and Sheila moved to Houston, Texas. Paul was the best husband, father, and grandfather, and an amazingly kind and generous friend. He had a great sense of humor with an overwhelming passion and love for his family and friends.

He loved attending his kids' and grandkids' events, shooting skeet with his grandsons, working on his cars, going to car shows, playing the piano and accordion, and playing piano music Sunday afternoons at different nursing homes. John Paul went to be with Jesus on December 1, 2023.

I love you Daddy - Tell Jesus Hey for me!

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JANUARY 2024 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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GMC CANYON

Car Renewal 2024

By Don Armstrong

With the New Year comes a sense of renewal, new furniture, a new diet or, perhaps, a new car. Despite high interest rates and increasing prices overall there is a real need for dependable transportation, and we think a perfect combination would be a luxury SUV and a midsize pickup.

JEEP GRAND WAGONEER Cadillac has the Escalade, Lincoln has the Navigator and Jeep now has a real competitor with its new Grand Wagoneer, a full-size, 3-row beauty that adds Jeep’s infamous off-road capability.

Here is modern automotive conservatism at its finest with a large greenhouse above big, slab sides, bookended by the brand’s 7-slot grille up front and coat-and-tie rear hatch. The sophisticated wheel design adds to the high zoot look.

INTERIOR OF THE MERCEDES BENZ GLS 450

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JEEP GRAND WAGONEER High tech defines the interior with 4 screens for driver and passenger and includes a hideaway screen in front of the passive phone changer. In addition, 2nd row passengers get seat-mounted individual screens and another on the center console. Each screen contains a myriad of controls. It boggles the mind.

Also impressive is Jeep’s all-new 510-horsepower, inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine that is available in the Series II and III trim levels. The 8-speed automatic transmission is smooth as glass. Like many other vehicles in the Jeep lineup, several 4-wheel drive setups are available too.

Pricing starts at $87,995.

INTERIOR OF THE BUICK ENCORE GX

GMC CANYON Full-size trucks are now so big, they won’t fit in a regular garage, but the “midsize” will and we are impressed with the new, 3rd generation GMC Canyon. This complete redesign addressed many issues we had with the outgoing model.

Most components of the Canyon are shared with its cousin, the Chevy Colorado. GMC is the more premium of the two and you’ll pay more for it across the board. That said, trim packaging is different than the Chevy with the GMC Denali noticeably nicer than its Chevy cousin, especially the interior. The new infotainment operating system is easy to use and impressive to maneuver.

For you naysayers, the turbocharged, 2.7-liter, 4-cylinder engine delivers an impressive 310-horsepower to 2 or 4 wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

That’s good enough to tow 7,700 pounds or haul up to 1,640 pounds.

In addition to the Colorado be sure to shop the Tacoma and Ranger, but we think you’ll wind up back in the GMC store.

Begins at $36,600.

LOCAL OFFICE

5 Tips for Managing Post Holiday Stress

1

Keep up healthy habits Make a pact with yourself during the holidays.

Commit to moving more often and mixing in healthier meal choices between your holiday feasts.

2

Beware of seasonal sweets.

The holidays often dish up extra servings of indulgent treats. Try preparing healthy snacks that are ready to whenever your cravings hit.

3

Stay active.

Sprinkle some healthy activities into your daily routine, like moving your body or opting for lighter meals between holiday feasts.

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.... But don’t be too active Give yourself the gift of peace and spend some time resting and recharging for the year ahead.

Make a plan for the new year.

New healthy habits are formed with patience and consistency- taking too much on at one time can derail your progress if you start to feel overwhelmed.

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Homeowners, renters, and condo coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko® image © 1999-2023. © 2023 GEICO. 21_675059129

JANUARY 2024 | Bay Area Houston Magazine

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TEXAS MEDITATIONS

By Michael Gos

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

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El Camino Del Rio, Texas

riving El Camino is always an overwhelming experience. It is, in my opinion, the most beautiful drive in all of Texas. I know many claim the Three Sisters through Nueces Canyon around Leakey hold that honor, and while spectacular, I don’t think they can match El Camino del Rio along the Rio Grande between Lajitas and Presidio. In addition to the amazing beauty of the desert, river and mountains, scattered along the road are ruins, relics from the past: houses, old sheds, and even a church or two.

I remember the first time I drove through there. I had been in Texas only a few months and it was just my second trip to the Big Bend.

I was overwhelmed by the splendor of the mountains that begin right at the roadside, red in the sunlight, and the glimpses of the river as you pass by small openings between the hills. This was before all the trouble on the border and all I could think about was, “I want to live here!” For the next five years or so, I searched for ways I could make the move and still have enough money coming in to keep body and soul together. I was obsessed with finding a way to have the future I wanted there. I even went so far as to start searching for a specific place I might want to live. I didn’t find one—and over time, I got more and more anxious about it, afraid I might never have the life I wanted there.

Still, on every trip to the national park, I took an afternoon out and made the drive. But as time wore on, I found myself looking at the trip through this stretch a bit differently. I became fascinated by the ruins I saw there and immediately began reading everything I could find about the history of the area. I stopped and explored nearly every old derelict building I could get to—not a very safe activity given crumbling structures and rattlesnakes. I saw a

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new beauty in each one. I had always seen the most beauty in things that approached pristine perfection, but here I was finding it in crumbling stone and adobe. The strangest thing about this change lay far beyond just the way I was seeing beauty. I was starting to feel depressed by the fact that I never had, and never would have, the opportunity to see what these buildings were like in their prime or to meet and get to know the people who could make their lives in such an out-of-the-way place—a place I had previously yearned to live, an idea I had now given up on.

Eventually, I realized that my two obsessions, one about my future here and the other about the past I’d never see, and the accompanying anxiety and depression they brought, were causing me to feel bad about the drive itself. And for nearly ten years, my Big Bend trips went no further than Terlingua.

Such a loss.

I didn’t drive the road again until I was on a trip with my wife. It was her first time in Big Bend and I wanted her to see all the places I loved so maybe she might understand why I am drawn both to the park and to the places west. But this time the experience was very different. I was concentrating on showing her my favorite spots and explaining what it is about them that so moved me. I was watching her reaction to each of the places, trying to guess whether she was seeing what I was seeing. But most of all, I had to concentrate on her safety, especially regarding snakes.

She HATES snakes, even the harmless, helpful ones. She sees one and everyone within a ten-mile radius knows it. To use her words, she “screams like a girl.” If she saw one, she would run, jump, climb on anything to escape. Of course, the odds of injury from her reaction were far worse than those of an encounter with a snake. And that task took all of my attention. I was 100% in the moment. If you have ever played a team sport, you

probably know how the game takes every ounce of your attention and you have no time to feel fear, depression or anxiety. You are so much “in the now” that there is no room for anything else but what is happening right there on the field. Only the game exists; there is nothing else. That was my life at that moment with her and El Camino.

We drove back to Terlingua for a couple of hours on The Porch and then dinner at the Starlight. On the drive, I began to piece together all the bits I experienced in my previous trips, during my long period of avoiding the drive, and the run today. It was pretty clear; what was happening in my relationship with the place was all a matter of how I was thinking about it.

Concentrating on times yet to come and planning and working for the future—be it tomorrow, five years from now, retirement or a move to West Texas—keeps our minds entirely wrapped up in that future and as a result, leaves us anxious. In planning, preparing, thinking, and especially working toward the future, we squander our present.

Not a good choice. And while thinking about the past can help to relive pleasant memories, it is just as often filling us with regret over never having the chance to experience something “back then” or second guessing our most important decisions. Not a good choice here either.

Yesterday and tomorrow are myths.

Yesterday no longer exists and it is entirely possible there will be no tomorrow. There is only the now. But yesterday and tomorrow are indeed sources of depression and anxiety, myths or not. The question is, why should we engage in them?

Eight hundred years ago, Lao Tzu wrote, “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” It is hard to argue with that logic.

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