A vote-by-mail (mis)adventure.

Last week I voted an absentee ballot by mail for the first time. I encountered some obstacles as I gingerly jumped through the requisite hoops.

If you’ve never voted absentee, you may not know that you need a witness to sign for you, vowing that you are who you say you are. Since I can walk into the polls and vote without identification, this doesn’t make sense to me.

Though voting might be simple to accomplish under normal circumstances, there is nothing normal about living and voting with COVID rules. I decided that no matter how silly the regulations may seem, I will follow them precisely as this is important stuff and not a time to argue and make waves. So…I did a little candidate research, marked my ballot and lassoed a friendly neighbor.

Next I gave obsessive attention to the delivery of my prepared ballot. I wanted to be positively, absolutely 100% certain that my vote would arrive at its destination and be counted well before election day.

I sometimes refer to myself as “pragmatic Pat” and often that’s who I am. On other occasions, though, I go on a tangent that would seem weird to others but makes some sort of sense to me. I’m not sure but I think I’m wired that way. My mind diverges and I see numerous solutions.

For example, the ballot title would appear to indicate exactly what one must do with it: Mail it! But I’m thinking about that Joe Biden flag I have in my yard right under the mail carrier’s nose every day. What if she’s a Republican and maybe she’s fan of 45 and maybe she will do something devious with my ballot. Am I crazy? Maybe. I’ll blame it on my continuing isolation.

Next option is to drive to my nearest post office, go in and put the envelope in the slot. Job done. Ah, but my slightly warped brain takes another divergent detour.

The ultimate destination for votes is the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections. I’ll drive it over there. It’s only a 30+ minute drive each way. I have cabin fever. It will be good to get out. Ha!

I lost count after the fifth construction site I had to slow down/stop for on the way there. I drove around and through the parking lot three times before I found a parking space. Once inside, my envelope in hand, I felt as if I had arrived in Covid Hell. People were milling about and not safe distancing. Apparently an infinite number of voters could occupy the space. The one positive was that all did wear masks as far as I could tell.

A woman asked if she could assist me. I thanked her. She handed me a clipboard and asked me to fill in the top segment. And…you guessed it. I was to print my name, sign, date, put time of day, and check the block avowing that I was the person I claimed to be. Redundant? I would say so. Then she asked me to watch her drop the envelope into the box. I did appreciate that gesture.

I don’t imagine I need to tell you that I take voting seriously. It’s not only a right but a responsibility. I hope you feel the same way. A word or so of warning, though: DON’T OVER THINK IT. Just do it. The sooner the better.

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The star spangled banner, long may she wave.

I would take a knee for Colin Kaepernick to show support for his cause, but I fear I wouldn’t be able to get back up. I bet he would give me a hand up if I did.

I think it’s important to note that he is not breaking the law when he drops to his knee. In 1943, the Supreme Court ruled that we cannot force citizens to participate in these so-called patriotic rituals. These include both the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.

Some would argue that it’s one of our American traditions. And that’s true. But consider, if you will, that tradition isn’t always a good thing. Slavery comes to mind. Not educating girls and women. Male/female pay inequity. I could go on and on but I’m sure you get the picture

Those whose religion teaches that one’s allegiance should be only to God do not pledge to the flag nor do they put their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem. Pay close attention the next time you watch a game on TV. You may spot people on the field or in the crowd who are not participating. They are within their rights not to.

Part of being free is not being forced to show loyalty. Not to the flag, the President, the anthem, the country. I remember the flag burners during the Vietnam war. I was horrified when I saw them on the nightly news burning Old Glory. I wondered, “What are they thinking?” That’s when I took a long hard look at what freedom means in the United States.

One of our most important rights is our freedom to express ourselves. It is so important that it’s included in the First Amendment. That’s what the flag burners were doing: they were protesting what they considered an unnecessary and unjust war. That’s what Kaepernick is doing; calling attention to police brutality. That’s what protesters all over this country are doing; giving energy and importance to issues that matter to them. It’s their right. It’s our right.

I don’t believe that we have a duty to honor these cultural traditions. I personally respect and observe them because I choose to. But I don’t expect someone else to do as I do when their conscience tells them otherwise.

I’m not sure whether voting is a duty. Some call it a privilege. I consider it my duty. When the polls are open I’m going to go vote. Well, generally I early vote.

This November, North Carolina and several other states have midterm elections. This is an important election. Please vote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The star spangled banner, long may she wave.

I would take a knee for Colin Kaepernick to show support for his cause, but I fear I wouldn’t be able to get back up. Despite the fact that I’m a white woman, I bet he would give me a hand up if I did.

I think it’s important to note that he is not breaking the law when he drops to his knee. In 1943, the Supreme Court ruled that we cannot force citizens to participate in these so-called patriotic rituals. These include both the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.

Some would argue that it’s one of our American traditions. And that’s true. But consider, if you will, that tradition isn’t always a good thing. Slavery comes to mind. Not educating girls and women. Male/female pay inequity. I could go on and on but I’m sure you get the picture

Those whose religion teaches that one’s allegiance should be only to God do not pledge to the flag nor do they put their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem. Pay close attention the next time you watch a game on TV. You may spot people on the field or in the crowd who are not participating. They are within their rights not to.

Part of being free is not being forced to show loyalty. Not to the flag, the President, the anthem, the country. I remember the flag burners during the Vietnam war. I was horrified when I saw them on the nightly news burning Old Glory. I wondered, “What are they thinking?” That’s when I took a long hard look at what freedom means in the United States.

One of our most important rights is our freedom to express ourselves. It is so important that it’s included in the First Amendment. That’s what the flag burners were doing: they were protesting what they considered an unnecessary and unjust war. That’s what Kaepernick is doing; calling attention to police brutality. That’s what protesters all over this country are doing; giving energy and importance to issues that matter to them. It’s their right. It’s our right.

I don’t believe that we have a duty to honor these cultural traditions. I personally respect and observe them because I choose to. But I don’t expect someone else to do as I do when their conscience tells them otherwise.

I’m not sure whether voting is a duty. Some call it a privilege. I consider it my duty. When the polls are open I’m going to go vote. Well, generally I early vote.

This November, North Carolina and several other states have midterm elections. This is an important election. Please vote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tagged, part two.

As I mentioned in my last post, Lady E, aka Laughing Cow in France,tagged me with some questions she was curious about.  She lives in the French Alps and I enjoy her blog.  I find her honest and real, qualities I consider very important.  Here goes:

1.  Why is the sky blue?  Because all Carolina Tar Heel fans go to heaven wearing their blue t-shirts.  Explanation for those who aren’t ACC basketball fans:  Basketball is big in this part of the country.  North Carolina’s color is a sky blue.  Duke’s (NC’s arch rival) is royal blue.  Some days the sky is so blue I could swear there are some Dukies up there, too.

2.  What time did you get up this morning?  8:15.  Today is the second day of Daylight Savings Time so it was really only 7:15.  I play this game with myself for about two weeks every year.

3.  Shower gel or soap bar?  Soap bar.  I’m a tub person.  I haven’t taken a shower since I saw Janet Leigh in “Psycho.”  That movie scared the bejeebies out of me.  Incidentally, Janet Leigh didn’t take showers after she played that role.  I heard her say that once in an interview.

4.  Favourite cheese?  I like’em all.  Some days I favor the salty taste of feta.  I love all those little “laughing cow” cheeses. 🙂  Just the right size.

5.  Do you vote?  (I really hope you do.  No pressure.)  Yes, ma’am, I do.  Every time they open the polls.  I think of it as a privilege, but also a responsibility.  (That sounds high and mighty, doesn’t it?)

6.  Have you ever tried to limit your carbon footprint?  Indeed I have.  Let me count the ways.  I could write a book about this one.  I call myself a tree hugger and an environmentalist.  I’ve been one for many years.  I used to write environmental tips on my chalk board hoping to plant seeds (pun intended) in the young minds of my high school students.

7.  What did you wear on your wedding day?  Which one?

8.  Favourite cocktail?  I drink an occasional glass of wine.  Not a cocktail person.  But boy you should see my girlfriends when we all get together for one of our long weekends!  They know how to put away some cocktails. 🙂  I’m the designated driver.

9.  What’s the capital of Burma (Myanmar)?  No cheating.  I have no idea.  Well, that’s not exactly true now because I looked it up.  I couldn’t even come up with a city in Myanmar.  Geography is not my best subject.

10.  What was the highlight of your day?  That’s easy.  Today I spent time in the car with my seventeen-year-old granddaughter.  She’s a gymnast.  I was the one available to pick her up from school and take her to the gym today.  An unexpected treat since she’s so busy and I don’t get enough time with her.  I grinned for an hour or so afterward.

11.  Do you wear pyjamas to bed?  I do now.  I wrote a post about this.  It’s entitled “Baby you don’t thrill me but you put off body heat…”

Thanks for the questions, E.  I had fun.  And now to bed in my jammies.  The clock says it’s almost 11:00, which means it’s really only 10:00.  Why am I so tired?