We here on the balcony at Big Pink are still having issues with what year we are in. There is general agreement, of course, but our index fingers still have issues. Not so with those eleven pipers down in the parking lot, who are piping away like crazy. They frightened the leaping Lords and the milking Maids into positions on the south side of the building away from the cheerful cacophony.

Their continued presence validated the continuation of Holiday Rules for consumption of beverages. In addition to the pipers piping, there was brief non-secular mention of Elizabeth Seton (1774–1821), the first native-born American to be canonized as a saint. That observation is held by some Catholics and Episcopalians. And Splash, of course.

The twelve days of Christmas will end tomorrow, though Splash has noted the celebration of a 13thday in some quarters. As a group, however, we have noted the two condo units still displaying festive lights. So, in the interest of solidarity and affirmation, we are going with their interpretation.

There are a couple other non-ecclesiastic but significant events in progress at Socotra House. Our publisher has informed us the “Last Cold War Cruise” has been printed and a sample copy is en route through the United States Postal System. You will be subjected to additional news on that front as it occurs. There are a couple other strings of activity in progress. Congress re-convened yesterday.

Well, sort of. There is an issue also involving index fingers and sometimes both hands. They could not swear in anyone new without electing a Speaker. Or anything else, we were told. That left us confused, since we don’t know who exactly was doing the convening or adjourning. They made three attempts to elect a new Speaker of the House to replace the former one. Those votes without issue. We are a little deficient on who is orchestrating the activity, but our recollection of Civics in high school was long ago. We will see if they can come up with something today.

And the National Football League has contributed some context to the Covid vaccine discussion. It was not surprising, given the millions of viewers who vicariously participated in the event. The collapse of Safety Damar Hamlin in the game between the Bills and the Bengals has raised questions about the vaccines. It was not the result of a blunt-force trauma we would expect from grown men involved in a violent contact sport. It was some sort cardio event, and not the usual “attack” but something else.

That led to a longer discussion about the number of athletes who have perished unexpectedly after “short illnesses” reported since the vaccinations began. For something that used to be considered “rare,” more than a thousand such incidents have occurred. Most of the Writer’s Section played the game in high school, and used to follow it with semi-religious fervor. That ended when the game assumed a partisan aspect with kneeling and critical thinking becoming part of the Sunday ritual.

That was not a part of the ritual we recall. We universally hope Damar recovers. As to the rest of it, we took a poll. We discovered we are a little tired of participating in large scale inadvertent social or medical experiments. We don’t know if a good bottle or a night’s sleep (or both) will help us overcome the reluctance. But the Holiday spirit(s) will continue at least through tomorrow, and maybe right through the Epiphany.

Copyright 2023 Vic Socotra
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