A record in Atlanta

This is a break for those who are tired of my March Madness articles about the Auburn basketball team.  Part of it is that I am mindful that I have written about this amazing journey for three weeks in a row.  Most of my readers, at least those that read newspapers, probably lean towards UGA, GT and FSU.  Not much to report there when it comes to basketball.

Mary Lou and I followed the team to Nashville, then Lexington, and finally to the State Farm Arena in Atlanta for the Elite Eight.  It was like Neville Arena, except it is twice the size.  The Auburn family showed up to support their team and provided the loudest atmosphere I have ever heard in support of the Tigers, which is saying a lot.

Auburn won against Michigan and then Michigan State.  Both are teams with storied traditions.  The games seemed closer than the scores indicated, which reinforces my belief that basketball games at this level are influenced by cardiologists.  It is never over until it is over, and the collective blood pressure of some 17,000 fans was way above normal.  

The biggest record was not set on the court.  Between the Friday night game against Michigan and the Sunday game against Michigan State, we visited my mother.  Jobie is one week away from 93 years old, and we celebrated at the Diner next door.  

As we drove up to Huntcliff Summit, the amazing independent living facility she has called home for over a decade, I was overcome by the amount of pollen that was on the sidewalk, driveways, cars, and anything else you can imagine.

Keep in mind that we have been living in a pollen nightmare just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, but on this particular day it set an Atlanta record for the highest pollen count in over 30 years.  Just my luck.

When I got in my car, the pollen on my shoes left a yellow mark on the floor mats.  Anything you touched left a yellow trace of pollen, whether on your clothing, your glasses, or the jacket you were wearing.

Pollen is a blessing and a curse.  Following the beauty of the tulips and the azaleas, everything else seems to explode in color.  The oaks in our neighborhood turn green overnight and the pollen is unrelenting until there is a rain.  Thankfully, it rained today.

In this rambling article, I can highlight that my Auburn Tigers are in the Final Four.  That is an amazing feat in this time of NIL and Transfer Portals.  Mary Lou and I followed them faithfully, near and far.

I can also say that our yard, along with many others, has shown out with colors so brilliant that it is equally hard to comprehend.  Wild Azaleas, with their brilliant orange color which we planted intentionally, seem to shout out to those who love all things orange and blue.  

After retirement, but busier than ever, I embrace all that brings joy around me.  I celebrate March Madness and the victories of my Tigers.  I celebrate the many friends that we randomly met in our common quest for victory on the basketball court.   

I celebrate the highest pollen count in Atlanta since just before I was elected to the Georgia General Assembly.  For those that do not know, that was a long time ago.  

Thanks to that pollen, all of us get to enjoy the flowers, blossoms, and the green leaves that tell us that Spring is here.   The pollen count set a record as witnessed by anyone near the State Farm Arena for the South Regionals.  

Coincidentally, the Auburn Tigers set their own records in Atlanta as well.  I was glad we were there. 

o0o

Dan Ponder can be reached at [email protected]