Check Yes For Charlie

I went out on a limb and told you two of the people that I will be voting for as our local county commissioners. They have two things in common, 1) they are both women and 2) they are both incumbents.

The other three people that I will be voting for county commissioner are 1) not women and 2) not incumbents.

This gentleman that I am writing about today is a literal knight in shining armor masquerading as a middle-aged lawyer. I don’t believe I am exaggerating one bit. Every once in a while someone comes along who you really believe in. Not the person himself, for I know that he won’t be parting any oceans. Rather, it’s the person’s policies and the person’s servant heart for the public good and not his own.

That person’s name is Charlie Donnelly. I’ve never met him but I have heard him speak. He was one of many candidates for county commissioner at a forum I attended last month. After he spoke I elbowed the husband and said, “That’s him!” The husband moved about two feet away from me and whispered back, “That’s who?”

I said, “Shhh…” You feel sorry for him don’t you?

That man is Charlie Donnelly whose policies I have been following and I find myself on the exact line of thinking each and every time. I really try to separate the political clap trap. Anyone can speak in generalities and sound good. Charlie is specific about where he stands. I am very interested one particular issue; the attempted closing of our church food pantry. The fight has been going on a while and I know that we need advocates like him to be on the right side of it.

So Check Yes for Charlie! I’m delivering him two votes tomorrow, mine and the husband’s.

I won’t have time to tell you about the other two men I will be voting for. I just am pleading with you to do your civic duty! And Vote!

Who Else Am I Voting For?

This is for local politics so it may be boring for most of you. I know that politics in general may be too controversial for some of you but please do your duty anyway; it’s important.

I”m voting for this lady. Her name is Susan Shaw (R). This is an easy vote for me. I know her, like her, and like her love and passion for our community. She’s an advocate for maintaining the rural nature of our county. I am too. It’s easy because I’ve voted for her for before – a few times. It funny how we lean on what we know. Human nature is that way. I also love her voice. It’s kind of high and squeaky, just like mine. Do I agree with everything she stands for?

Well no…

Which is why I’m also voting for this lady.

Her name is Barbara Stinnet (D). At this forum she said she would stand in front of a bulldozer for what she believes in. I would do that too. She is also a huge advocate of charity and is on the right side of an issue that I personally have a vested interest in. She swore that our church food pantry will remain open as long as she can do something about it. So she has my vote. Thanks for standing up Barbara! And stand in front of that bulldozer!

I hope these two ladies continue to duke it out, I think it will benefit our community.

I am however, disappointed that my friend Nick Garrett is no longer running. He pulled out of the race this summer. I was distraught, but it’s his decision and his reasons were sound. I just think we lost a great public servant.

Three more to go . . . tell you about it this weekend if I have time:)

Your Civic Duty

I know you all know this already but I’ll say it anyway.

It’s an election year.

I took this photo at the polling place before I was told that no photos were allowed. Oh oh.

This was during the primary elections a month ago. I was relieved that they verified my identity. For some odd reason, I just think there ought to be accountability in our election process. Call me crazy.

Here’s another crazy thing – I love going to the polling place to vote. Everyone there seems so elated and the support and enthusiasm for their candidate is so evident. There’s also no animosity – unlike what you see on television.

Election law forbids the candidates to campaign in at the polling place. We as citizens of this great country ought to make our decisions freely and without any pressure or intimidation.

I went to this candidate’s forum as a concerned citizen a couple of Sundays ago. I left there feeling more informed and more empowered as a voter than before I went. I also left with a certainty about who I was going to vote for, and it was a different opinion than when before I went. If you have a chance go to a forum, rally, or meet your local candidates then please do. It’s all a part of being a good citizen.

See that lady speaking? She’s got my vote. If I’m brave enough, I may just tell you all the candidates that I plan on voting for between now and election day.

Back To The 60’s We Go

Neighbor Beth asked me a few weeks ago if I wanted to go to a Joni Mitchell concert. I said, “Yes!” a little too over enthusiastically.

Then she texted me and said, “It’ will be xxx.xx dollars.”

I thought about it for a second, and said, “That’s fine.”

She returned, “No wait, it’s actually xxx.xx,” which turned out to be $20 more than she originally said but then she texted back, “Wait, it’s not Joni Mitchell, it’s Judy Collins, will that make a difference?”

Well it’s a little different.

Truthfully Judy Collins didn’t ring a bell with me and I had to google her. But when I found out that she sang one of my favorite song of all time – of all time – I said I would go. That song by the way is Both Sides Now.

Then I got the day wrong but that’s another story all together. That one will come with a recipe attached.

So we had a beautiful dinner at Neighbor Beth’s and then drove up to Annapolis to see Judy Collins (not Joni Mitchell) at a cute little club. I was really excited. Remember, Both Sides Now is her song.

Judy Collins is a legend from back in the 60’s, when I was a mere, glint in my real father’s eyes. Anyway . . .

I grew up with her songs, my mother used to play them all the time, along with Dean Martin’s. I know all of his songs too. I played them over and over and over again. I was a very geeky child.

So we settled in with a bottle of wine, beautiful mood lighting, and great expectations.

The opening act was a wonderful singer/song writer by the name of Amy Speace. By the way, I admire singer/song writers the most. You have to have double the gifts of writing and singing. It’s not fair to the rest of us.

She blew us away. The husband and I purchased a CD in order to support the artist. It’s really wonderful, you should give a listen.

Judy Collins is 70 years old or more so I expected someone who is – well – 70 years or more to come out and sing. But she looked great and more importantly, her voice really is strong.

Now I will keep it real. I really admire her talent and all I wanted to do was enjoy a wonderful night of entertainment with my good friends and some good music. I don’t want to hear political opinions. I can go to a rally any ole Sunday in DC to do that. Heck, I can turn on the tele any ole day to see it. But Judy Collins is a child of the 60’s and a queen of the 60’s thinking. And it was evident. I admit I was a little disappointed at that.

If you too are child of the 60’s and don’t mind hearing it spoken at a concert, then her show is for you. But here’s the kicker – do you know who wrote the song Both Sides Now?

Joni Mitchell.

I don’t make these things up.

America’s Treasure

There are homecomings. And then there are homecomings. I’ve watched my friend Neighbor Laura go through the gamut  of emotions when it comes her son Tim. When he graduated from college she was so proud. On the day he was commissioned an officer in the Army, she beamed. On the day he left for Germany, she waved him off and smiled. On the day he went to Afghanistan she cried.

But he’s home, if only for a little rest and relaxation. And we all were excited and and we all cried.

As we welcomed him home, one thing kept going through my mind.

This is truly America’s treasure. Truly.

These bright handsome young men can be said to fight for an administration, a policy or a even a country.

But they what they truly fight for is their fellow man.

Against the forces of evil.

It’s the bigness of it that got me.

And my heart hurt for him mama. Because I too have a son. And I would want him home and away from danger.

Welcome home Tim.

August 12, Against Any Form Of Tyranny

“I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Thomas Jefferson

It is an election year in the US. Our elections used to be a shining example of democracy at its best. It is where the individual exercises what our Constitution says is our God given right to be free and determine our own course of government.

When watching the news though, you would think that election years are nothing short of a high school gossip fest.

Buckle up y’all it’s going to be a rough ride.

Storyboard by the fantastic Jodi at MCP Actions.

Okay, Enough Is Enough

It’s my corner of the internet and I shall use it as I wish.
 

 

Okay…I tried. I am still trying.

I’m trying to be gracious in the face of adversity. I’m trying to be calm in the storm. I’m trying to be patient with circumstances that are not under my control.

BUT I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE! It was 101 degrees F yesterday!

We are in the midst of a heat wave here in the Mid-Atlantic states. The temperatures are in the  high 90’s during the day and in the mid 70’s at night. The humidity has been in the 90% percentile.

Our air conditioner has been out since Monday. MONDAY!

The husband was home Monday and he was his optimistic self.  “We can swim in the pool to stay cool.” Okay!

Then he leaves for his trip early Tuesday morning and his optimism doesn’t carry long distance. I’m sure his hotel rooms are temperature controlled.

It was 105 degrees Fahrenheit today when I got in the car to take the kids home at about 1 pm. Here’s the proof.

I’m going to throw in some political statements here. Guard your ears if you are easily offended (like I am at times) or if you don’t want to hear any political ranting (like I don’t at times) then stop here. Don’t read anymore.

But if you are a brave soul and not easily offended then feel free to bring your open mindedness to this one-sided conversation.

I’m really taking this photo, I am.

Since this whole global warming “debate” started I have been very cynical about the science leading up to it. As a former scientist myself (loosely speaking) I will tell you that scientists are human too. Just sayin’.

So all thinking human beings have biases and opionions no matter how much they deny it, because they are human, they do.

So what does this have to do with my air conditioning? It doesn’t.

Except for this.

It’s easy to say that Global Warming doesn’t exist when you have regulated temperature control that works in your house. It’s easy to say that Climate Change isn’t real because, well, it’s called the weather. It’s easy to poo poo the argument that we’re all going to die because of man’s inhumane (ironic statement) indifference to his environment for pure capital gain. It’s easy to say that climate change has always existed (anyone heard of the Ice Age?) before we came to this earth and think that the history of earth evolution and revolution began when we first started remembering weather (I remember when it snowed all the time.)

But when one’s air conditioner is out for a week and it’s horridly hot with 100% humidity, the only thing I can say is this…

Global Warming is REAL! And it’s happening right NOW!

For those of you who I offended with this post, I truly apologize. I’ll be back to my old sort-of-happy self when the air conditioner gets fixed tomorrow.

Politics IS Local

I just happen to be at the grocery store one day when I ran into my friend Nick who was bagging groceries. Since he’s a music teacher, I wondered if he had a change of vocation.

Anyway, I was just picking up some things (while dressed in my pajamas) and was curious. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “Bagging groceries for the handicapped. All of us who are running for county office are.” he says.

“Aha,” I say, “Do you want me to take some photos?”

“Would you? You’re the best. Do you have a card I can give to the other candidates?”

“No Nick, I’m just getting some milk…”

But coincidentally, I had my camera.

As some of you know by now, Nick is running for County Commissioner and he has our total support. I believe he would be a great public servant. His has a pragmatic platform and a vision for controlled growth. And he’s funny too.

I didn’t know any of the other candidates, like this lady. She was, however, great with the general public.

This lady was a favorite.

She bagged groceries, shook hands, and spoke to me about her philosophy on fiscal policy – all at the same time. Talk about multi-tasking. She asked me how I knew Nick and I told her that he was the boy’s guitar teacher and that I do his campaign photography. She was impressed he had his own personal photographer.

As she should be.

This lady is an incumbent, trying to keep her seat and of the same party as me, unlike my dear friend Nick…doesn’t make a difference what-so-ever.

This gentleman is running for sheriff against the incumbent who happens to have been in office eight years. I was very impressed by his concern for our community. He has some great specific ideas. I like that. I don’t respond well to  abstract and nebulous political promises. Call me skeptical. Sometimes people who have been in office a long time can lose regard of their own constituents, it’s human I guess.

I think I could possibly vote for him.

He said, “I didn’t know Nick had his own professional photographer.”

I said, “He doesn’t, he has me.”

Then they decided they all needed a group picture with the store manager so she can send it to her headquarters.

And I was just picking up some groceries…

Among The Great Unwashed

Since moving to this community six years ago, as I’m doing errands, I run into people I know all the time (hey, that’s two prepositional phrases in one sentences. I have a thing or two to say about that soon…) When I was new to this area, I would go to the store in my gym clothes or my pajamas (true) and not think a thing about it. It’s not a classy thing to do but I figured no one knew me anyway.

For the record, I don’t sleep in a house dress, it’s not that bad.

Over the years, things have changed a little bit, I now will see people when I’m out on many occasions. It’s nice, like I belong here now.

But then again…I can’t just roll out of bed and brush my teeth and run around and not expect to see a few people…

Last Saturday however, I reverted to my old ways…I went to work on Saturday expecting to see an empty building. Instead I see this group of guys. Chet says, “Hey Puna.”

“Hey Chet.”

“And hey Steve.”

“How are you doing Ronnie?”

 I just happen to be in my pajamas. But you know what? Half those men probably didn’t shower yet either.

Then I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things.

And I run into my county commissioner. I said, “Ms. Shaw, do you remember me from the RLW meetings?”

She said, “Ummmm…yes?”

Then she turned and left. I guess she didn’t want to hear any complaints about pot holes.

Or maybe I looked like I just rolled out of bed. Which I did.

Speaking of politics…it’s mid-term elections this year. Tomorrow…I’ll tell you who I’m voting for. Unless of course I don’t get around to it… I haven’t written it yet…What a blood sport politics is. Get ready to rumble…