Penelope, is a little too tiny and old for those long walks
anymore), and it was so ominous to see the Square devoid
of its usual, happy buzz.
So when Marietta photographer Justin Hadley asked if
he could take a picture of me on my front porch for a
photography series he was doing called “Six Feet, from
Friends,” in which he was photographing local residents at
their homes from a safe six feet away, I said, “of course!”
Not only would it be nice to have a conversation with
someone who doesn’t have four legs and does talk back, I
was also intrigued by the project – so much so that we were
fortunate to obtain the photos and Justin’s story for this
month’s cover and the cover feature, found on page 26.
As you can see in that photo above, there was pollen on
my porch, Norman needed a grooming and I wasn’t as put
together as I might normally have been, but I knew that he
wasn’t looking for perfection – rather, a genuine reflection.
One day, we will be together again, in the truest sense.
But, until then, I will just try to find my own six feet of
normalcy, count my blessings and sweep that pollen.
letter from the EDITOR
{Together}
It’s a word that has been both the antithesis and the reality of
many of our livelihoods since the spread of the coronavirus.
During this time of self-isolating, social distancing and
avoiding any activity that involved physical togetherness, we
still have somehow come together. There has been perhaps
been no other time when not just our whole community but
our whole world has been forced to face a new normal,
while facing only those at home.
I know that I am lucky. I still have a job that pays
steadily, a pretty little roof over my head, sleepy and happy
little dogs who make every morning and night a little bit
warmer, and artsy activities to keep me busy. I’m a creative,
and an extrovert, so the time has both been enlightening
and an angsty struggle. When I haven’t been working, I’ve
enjoyed many of the things that I too often left behind for
other commitments. Reading a book while snuggled on the
sofa. Making jewelry. Planting flowers. Cooking. Decorating
my house. Going for solo walks while listening to podcasts.
But I’ve missed going out to eat with friends. I’ve missed
hugging my grandmother’s neck. I’ve missed brainstorming
with my boss in his office. I’ve just missed the energy of
people and the vibrancy of a thriving, social community
such as ours. There were many days I took my dog, Norman,
for a walk through the Marietta Square (my other dog,
8 COBB LIFE | JUNE 2020