8/18/2024

Aug 18, 2024

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            How is Camp David? According to Google, the sun is shining & the temp is 73 degrees. A perfect day for some forest bathing to clear your head for the upcoming week & energize you for your big speech at the convention on Monday.

            We’re having gorgeous 85-degree weather, a rare treat in Aug. I’ll be able to garden in the afternoon without fear of heat exhaustion. I hope to prepare the beds in Davis for a fall crop of beets & carrots. AI thinks I can plant tomatoes & squash. I wonder how it came up with that.

            How do you feel about Robert Draper’s piece about you in the NYT Mag about your “interrupted presidency?” I thought it was truthful, acknowledging your best self & your worst self, with the conclusion that after being “angry at the world” & “shape-shifting into the man (you) pledged to defeat” you performed “an act of humility, brought on by public humiliation.” I thought his highest praise was his observation that you listen to what everyone has to say, not just those people who voted for you.

            I was surprised that he didn’t mention NPP, given that according to Annie Karni (AK), you, two used to be besties & she is now losing sleep over the fact that you haven’t spoken since July.

Have you read NPP’s new book? Apparently, she continues to talk highly of you, calling you a Mt. Rushmore President & saying she loves you. I was surprised to learn that she grew up going to your favorite spot, Rehoboth Beach. You are two peas in a pod so I hope you will forgive her for doubting you & find a way to reinvigorate your friendship. As AK writes, “you can’t make friends of 50 years when you are in your ninth decade, the kind who knew you way back when.”

As usual I encourage you to keep an eye on the Burma situation with special attention to the Rohingya. The Cox Bazaar refugee camp needs food now. Certainly, we can help supply it.

BYBS,