Have you met Ahmed al-Sharaa? …As the guy who managed to lead the rebels to oust Assad from Syria, I’m thinking he’s got to be Mr. Charisma….

…Did you see today’s cringe-worthy headlines, “Biden shocks with long, wispy hair at WH Christmas tree lighting: ‘Ghosts of corruption past, present and future’” (NYP) … Why do people have to be so mean?…

…Slavery is on my mind due to your visit to the National Museum of Slavery in Luanda…. I’m grateful that Wanda Tucker, descendent of the 1st enslaved person born in America, was on hand for the event.

…Connecting Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean is the 21st Century version of that & will be built just in time to transport cobalt, copper & other critical minerals used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices & clean energy technologies….

… Are you having good talks with President Joao Lourenco (JMGLG)? Are you working on the details of our $3B investment in the Lobito Corridor or are you dreaming up other infrastructure projects? …

… How was the AIDS quilt event? Reuters says you & Jill got teary hearing Jeanne White-Ginder talk about her son, Ryan. I remember seeing him on TV in the ‘80s as he showed the world what AIDs looked like. Thanks for keeping our memories of him alive….

…Thanks for coming home early to mark World AIDS Day. Your attention to the plight of those who deal with the disease should bring them some comfort….

…I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday in Nantucket. Be careful about what books you pick up in the bookstore, the world is watching….

… What’s your take on the UN meeting in S. Korea about plastic? Why have you pulled back on supporting a ban? …

…      Did you see the coverage that Jill & Ashley got for their shopping spree in downtown Nantucket? Their stop in Ladybird Lingerie got the attention of the Daily Mail. Isn’t it funny that the Brits find that newsworthy?…

… I encourage you to popularize Audre Lorde (AL)’s idea that “difference must be not merely tolerated, but seen as a fund of necessary polarities between which our creativity can spark... in our world, divide and conquer must become define and empower.” ….

…Young Grant & his dad looked tickled pink & Peach gobbled just enough to show her true feathers. Your statement about how the peach blossom symbolizes resilience was poignant….

… I look forward to hearing the banter about Peach & Blossom who will be accompanied by ATF Pres. J. Zimmerman & his son, Grant. It looks like the weather should be ok. …

… I hope you aren’t beating yourself up too much these days. Have you had a heart-to-heart with your econ guy, Jared Bernstein? He’s processing his cognitive dissonance & wondering how you could have helped voters make sense of “disinflation.”….

…your senior moment at the NBA event yesterday where you double checked with Justin Tatum & Al Horford that they were the Boston Celtics….