I’m nervous. In four days, the polls will open at 7 a.m. for the 2022 mid-term election. At the same time I’ll report to the hospital for my knee replacement. It’s probably a good thing both are on the same day because I’ll be drugged and unconscious for the second event, so I won’t be worrying about the first. But I’m as prepared as possible for both. And praying for positive outcomes.
Floyd and I planned ahead, knowing we’d have to vote early. We found and completed the forms for our county online. Then we printed them out and I hand-delivered them to the courthouse as soon as possible. When we receive our ballots in the mail, we repeated the process, only Floyd did the hand-delivering since my knee was complaining more than usual that day.
Why did we bother? Because we value our right to vote, to take part in electing the people we want to represent us in making decisions for our county, state, and country. AND we respect and honor the process and the laws governing the way it’s done. No matter if it goes the way we voted or not.
I’ve been thinking a lot about those rights and privileges and feeling guilty about taking them for granted when I was young. Basically, I was pretty much unconscious about midterms in those days. I did vote in general elections, but never felt like it counted, because I lived in rural America, not a swing state. And I never felt knowledgeable or informed enough to do it thoughtfully and with conviction. But that’s changed. Being a citizen of this country is a job we benefit from. So we’d better do the work it takes to deserve it. Like voting. Speaking up. Telling the truth. Always.
What if my surgeon approached his duties Tuesday like some candidates are approaching theirs? You can bet I wouldn’t fare well if he didn’t take it seriously, his approach was based on lies, or he didn’t follow the tried and true practices governing the methods of knee replacement which have been researched and established over the years. And what if I don’t follow the rules when it’s over? Don’t accept that we’ve both done our best and will strive toward making the best of the outcome no matter what?
So, yes, I’m nervous about Tuesday. But I’m also trusting that both procedures will transpire as they should. That our democracy and my knee will be restored.
Hugs,
Dale
Freebies!
Keep those comments coming! If you submit one to any post from now until the end of November, I will put your name in the hotdog hat for one of two prizes. Multiple comments means multiple chances! The first prize will be another dachshund book mark and the other I’ll announce in my newsletter the day after Thanksgiving. I’ve interviewed someone perfect for the holiday and I can’t wait to reveal who it is!
Featured Artist
Gisela Fisher, our friend from rural Oberlin, is our featured artist again with her gorgeous photo of a road near Traer, the town where Floyd first went to grade school. Thanks again, Gisela for sharing your wonderful work.
Where in the World?
Here’s a wider shot of the ogre I featured last week. I took it at the Botanical Gardens last week when we were in Wichita. I think it’s probably how I’ll be looking and feeling on Tuesday. :)