As I begin this column we are eight days from the most monumental election of our times. When you read this in December we all will know its outcome. Forgive me for making the column personal.
This is the 97th day of March or at least that is how it feels after being isolated for 111 days. In fact, Phase 2 just happened this past Monday, permitting us to eat outdoors in restaurants and get a haircut.
This column will be the most unusual column since I began writing these columns. First, I am hunkered down with trips to shop as infrequent as possible.
As I sit this day, I am looking at a blank page. That is not unusual, but today it is because earlier this week I wrote this column and saved it—or at least I thought I did. Know that this is the second version, which is never as good as the first.
I write this on December 28, 2019. Christmas has just past. New Year’s and a new decade is about to start, depending on the way you count, and today is a spring-like 52 degrees.
Your class meteorologist sees the autumnal equinox approaching. When you read this, it will have passed. However, I must comment that after several heat waves in the 90s—climate change—today it does feel like fall.
It would be hard to start this column without mentioning the moving ceremonies at the 75th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944, in Normandy. Makes you pause to reflect on the class of ’42 entering the war in December 7, 1941.
I cannot begin a column without talking about the weather, mostly because in New York City we have had a long long winter with too much cold and not much snow. Finally, spring has arrived with all its abundant regalia of flowers.
We are about to start the beginning of the 250th year for Dartmouth. By the time you read this it will February; however, it will not stop me from wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy healthy 2019.