Civic-minded Pup – Photo: L. Weikel
Sadly Lacking
I’ve tried to write something tonight several times. What I mean is, I’ve started writing a couple different posts and then become distracted (“Squirrel!”). But when I try to transmute that distraction into a subject of a post, it’s sadly lacking.
I did my civic duty today, acting as Minority Inspector of Elections in our small piece of Bucks County countryside we call our voting ward. For years and years (decades), I’ve been involved in our local elections. It’s always been a great way to greet our neighbors, most of whom we only see in momentary flashes.
Most election days are grueling marathons of attention to detail and nearly constant interaction with people. We begin our days at the crack of dawn (pre-crack, to be honest) and routinely do not get the votes counted and results returned to the Board of Elections until 10:00 p.m. It’s a long day.
Puppy Reprieve
A lot of people who vote at our polling place know Karl and me as ‘the Boston Terrier people.’ In fact, I’ll bet a lot of people who vote at our polls don’t even put two and two together to realize I am one of those Boston Terrier people. My dual roles as puppy walker and election official are probably more parallel tracks than convergent ones. A couple have made the connection over the years though, and our conversations, in particular, have been quite endearing.
There are even a few people who have been so smitten over the years by our dogs that I knew I would have to gently break the news to them today about Spartacus. They may have spied me walking alone recently, but I was sure they never suspected his sudden death.
Beyond showing photos of our newest additions to quell the sadness, Karl even brought Pacha and Brutus over to break up our day and briefly say hello to fellow voters.
Not Much To Say
I’d like to write more this evening, but I must admit to feeling truly tapped out. I’m feeling like a stranger in a foreign land and I’m feeling extremely uneasy as I witness the direction we’re headed.
I can’t honestly wrap my head around the results of today’s election (at least from the vantage point I have at the moment). Perhaps I’ll be able to better comprehend it all tomorrow – although I doubt it.
No amount of puppy snuggles can make it feel more palatable.
(T-24)