I was originally going to write about becoming a substitute teacher here on Hilton Head, which I started 3 weeks ago. It has been an experience but in the mean time, the Corona virus has brought the entire world to a standstill. I am writing this on Thursday 3/19/20. As an Italian boy, I never understood the Luck of the Irish thing. 600 years of British occupation, the potato famine in 1840’s, the whole Catholic/ Protestant conflict and now within 2 weeks, all sports are canceled, all St Patrick’s day parades gone. Savannah does that day like no other. I liked its intimacy better than NYC or even Staten Island. I have made the following observations:
I see America coming together as not seen since the Second World War. I don’t see the petty political bickering between parties, although any would be political suicide. Not to sound too political and nothing against Hillary but I do not think she would have been able to bring those parties together the way Trump has. Yes, he is not an alter boy, but I wanted a pit bull as president. These trying times has affected me financially since as a Substitute Teacher, I am per diam so I do not get paid, I will seek unemployment benefits for the first time if I can. God only know I paid into it for decades without using it but I will survive. I am finally selling those timeshares I don’t need anymore. I am isolated on my island with the seniors who still have no survival skill and have not mastered social distancing or the concept of just staying home. It seems they can’t stay in. I have ample supply of TP and 20 gallons of water are coming tomorrow. Bars and restaurants are closed except to take out so I am just staying in cleaning my place for Joan to come tomorrow for 11 days. I do feel for my friends in the restaurant industry who are hit hard.
There is no one romantically at this time nor does it seem likely there will be for some time. I do have a few friends but either married, 20 or 30 something, or just not interested. Recently I have been spending time talking to MJ from Jersey. We were HS friends who could have gone in a different direction back in 1984. I do not know if I covered her in a year old post and frankly too lazy to look. For the first time in 36 years we are both unattached except for 700 miles between us, my two kids and her four. She recently became a grandmother and I can’t explain it but I have so many hot grandma friends. It was never like that when I was a kid; oh the times! If I was still in NY I would love to explore the road not taken in ’84 but things are moot I guess. We are just really good friends and talk every day. She is a delivery room nurse and with her kids almost grown, she is an amazing person who puts everyone before herself. MJ never complains and is 10x the person I am, and I had so lucky to have her in my life, even as a long distance friend.
I recently finished Richard Ryan’s latest book, Merchant of Menace. I chose to use Audio-book, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator is a bit campy but it was a great Sherlock Holmes novel, and I highly recommend it as well as his previous three works. I tease him constantly because he was my HS English teacher for two years and I remind him that once he critiqued my work, and now the tables have been turned where the student critiques the teacher.
So getting back to now, I sit with my Bourbon and ginger like Hemingway typing away. I did win four bottles of Old Forrester bourbon back in December and I have Jack Daniels in my decanter as well as a bottle of Wild Turkey in my car from the Va trip. Time to make a dent while the bars here are closed. I knew my wet bar would come in handy eventually. I am in contact with Watts who is doing well and staying out of trouble. Bubbles moved back to Jersey so life goes on until this virus passes. I have faith in our president and I am glad our country is finally coming together. 9/11 unity was short lived and more localized. It quickly fell apart with all the bickering and NY beefs.
I promise to write more often and I want to thank all those who have liked my page and have encouraged me.
John Scarso
Hilton Head Island SC
Yankee in Dixie 