Beautiful individual in my pool . . .

Dear you,

I have been thinking about the pandemic’s effect on us as social beings, especially its effects on the individual.  The individual I am talking about is not exhausted by social distancing.  He/she is exhausted by the absorption into “safe” groups, the clans judged as not hazardous or contagious. This person likes to go his/her own way.  Not a hermit or misanthrope, he/she simply enjoys being.  Simply that.  Being, acting, doing whatever, on his/her own.

Let’s call this universal individual Smith.

This is Smith’s scenario:

During the pandemic, travel has been constrained so families are clumping into cars and driving to places that are wide-open like Seagrove Beach, FL.  The clan Smith belongs to did this.  Smith endured the loud journey, the arguments about snacks, the tension between Mom and Dad who are ten inches from divorce.  Upon arrival, to the condo complex I live in, the clan unpacks frantically, fueled by a drive for dominance:

 “We’ve got to get to the beach and claim a big spot.”

 “We’ve got to take over the pool.”

“We’ve got to fill up these coolers before the Tom Thumb runs out of ice and BEER!”

“We’ve got to make memories together.”

It is all about the big WE.

Now, back to Smith.

During the chaos and settling in, Smith goes to the pool beneath my balcony.  Strangely enough, it is empty and quiet down there.  He takes off his shirt and shoes and dives in.  He doesn’t “CANNONBALL” in and cry for the clan to join him.  He just dives in.  An individual in a pool.  A beautiful dive at that.  And then he swims, he really swims.  Perfect backstrokes, breaststrokes, standard crawl, and these lovely dolphin arcs in and out of the water.

I am mesmerized.  I am not accustomed to seeing actual swimming going on in our swimming pool.  And I rarely see artful swimming executed by an individual.

Smith is happy.

Smith is Smith after a long drive with the memory makers.

He is an individual.

This is troubling to the clan.  A man who appears to be the patriarch steps out on his balcony and asks Smith what he is doing down there ALL BY HIMSELF?  “Come back up; we’re having FUN.”

Smith keeps swimming.

Patriarch shakes his head and goes back inside.

                                                                    ******

There are a lot of Smiths out there, distanced, and yet submerged into a “safe” group.   This year, the groups are getting bigger.  And I am not sure this is good for the individual.

Here’s to Smith.

Keep swimming solo.

Love,
Joyce

Tuberville, really??

Dear you,

Above, on the left, is the man who won the Republican Primary for Alabama senator, the man who intends to oust Doug Jones. Senator Jones has a resume of social justice accomplishments that makes former Coach Tuberville’s look like fluff.  However, Mr. T. will be a formidable adversary since he has Donald’s blessing in a state saturated with Trumpism (and bad MAGA headgear + t-shirts, extra-large).

But here are some facts about Tommy T:

He is NOT an Auburn University Alum.  He was an EMPLOYEE. Many are making a sentimental connection between the school and the man.  They shouldn’t.  Again, he was an EMPLOYEE.  He did not earn the degree or embody the Auburn Creed (Google that).  He is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University, not that this is a discrediting factor, but you know.  Tommy is not Auburn. Yes, he led the Tigers to football victories over the in-state rival, University of Alabama, but what does that have to do with legislative skill . . . or anything?

He is also on the record for stating the following, “God sent us Donald Trump because God knew we were in trouble.”  Former Coach Tuberville presumes to know the intentions of “God”.  And as for the trouble Donald was meant to save us from?  Well, please observe the chaos of our nation as of this moment, the Trump Carnage Show.

Those are just facts.  These are the questions:

Will Alabama citizens vote for Tommy simply because of his War Eagle connection? Will his assumption of God knowledge also lure voters his way?  Will rabid Roll Tide fans be able to check the box for a former Auburn employee because Donald orders them to do so?  Will the huge amount of Doug Jones supporters be able to stop what many predict to be an inevitable loss?

I cannot answer those questions.

Ask Tommy.  Maybe he can use his oracular powers and god-connection to respond to those queries.

But here is another fact:

Right now, current Auburn students and many Alum are supporting Jones and heartily embarrassed by Tommy and his bromance with Donald.   And I just wanted that on the record.

War Eagle, baby.

Love,

Joyce

The doctor is out . . .

Dear you,

Remember this guy?

Yes, this is the physician who gave us the health report on POTUS Trump to validate his fitness for office.  What did he say?  Something about exceptional health, phenomenal physique, god-like stature?  I don't remember precisely what he said, but I do remember the hilarity of the report.  Those were the good old days when Trump's blatant rejection of expertise was funny.  Years later, his hijinks are not so funny.

The coronavirus numbers are skyrocketing; you know the news.  And our nation still has no intelligent, expert guidance during the pandemic.  Of course Fauci, real health workers, physicians and researchers are speaking out and desperately trying to educate us.  But as for a national figurehead of healing?  We got nothing, and that is what Donald actually wants.

Suggestion, Donald.  Why not keep the comedy coming and rehire this guy to create your latest Covid plan?  Let him take the mike.  Or drop it.

Closing with data:

Covid deaths USA - 133,000

Covid cases USA - 3 million

And a factoid from CBS news:

239 scientists warn World Health Organization of airborne transmission risks from coronavirus . . . more harmful than  previously thought.

More harmful than previously thought, more than we imagined.  Kind of like The Donald himself.

Good luck out there!

XO

Joyce