Oh Yeah...

I think I maybe forgot to mention that I have today off from school.  I guess I got all caught up in the excitement of Election Day and all...

As is the case in many Maine towns, several schools in our district are polling places.  Given that voter turnout was expected to be pretty high for this election, the district opted to shut down for the day rather than try to conduct business as usual.

I have mixed feelings about this.  On one hand, we just made it significantly more challenging for many parents to go about the business of getting out to vote.  We also just added another day to the school calendar given that we have to be open for the scheduled number of days no matter who is running for president.

On the other hand, after twenty-odd years of trying to teach, cover recess duty and keep kids from getting run over by well-intentioned voters, I am a bit relieved to not have to manage it this year.  Add to that the fact that schools now have to deal with more in the way of security than in years past, and you have a logistical nightmare on your hands if you need to account for everyone who happens to be in the building at any given time.

I've also decided to adopt a third hand.  Third hands can be handy, you know.  And on that third hand, I've got a day off.  That's the hand I'm going with.  There will be no further looking into the mouths of gift horses.

The plan for the day was to get up as if it was business as usual.  That way I could get all sorts of things done and cast my ballot nice and early.  The rest of the day would then be free for whatever activities I thought pleasing.  That seemed like a nice plan.  I liked it.  I liked it so much that I didn't really think it through all that well...

It seems that the rest of the world does not get out of bed quite as early as I, nor are they waiting to serve me when I am ready for their time and attention.  The grocery store opens early.  They were on board with my plan.  Everyone else on the team was still at home and in bed, I suppose.  I had to rework the travel route a bit and ended up going in to vote far earlier than I'd planned.  

That actually wasn't so bad, though.  I'd feared that I would run into the before-work crowd if I tried to vote before 9:00 a.m.  Not so.  I was in the door around 8:10 and driving away with my "I Voted Today" sticker proudly displayed on my jacket by 8:30.  Small town democracy runs wicked smooth up here, you know.  

Especially when they've closed down the high school so we can all vote.  And when I say, "all" I mean all.  Everyone in my town votes at the high school.

I was still too early for the dollar store to be open, though.  I had to sit outside for ten minutes.  I almost left.  But I stuck it out, thinking that there might be one or two things in there that I'd like to take home with me for a buck a piece.

I was right...

The rest of the day passed mostly pleasantly.  I made some chicken stock.  I re-potted that poor basil plant that needed a new home rather desperately.  I even knit a bit.

Looks like a sleeve.  But it is not a sleeve.  I don't knit sleeves, remember?

The only fly in the ointment (scheduling issues aside) was the behavior of the felines.  They spent much of the morning bickering and squabbling with one another to the point where I contemplated sedating everyone.  Mommy included.  It was irritating and required that I get up off the couch more than I wished.

Which could account for my taking today's Absurdly Gi-normous Kitty picture from the least flattering angle possible...

Otherwise, it was a rather nice day to be home.  The temps hit 60 degrees and, while that is a bit nippy, it still seemed prudent to take advantage of the fresh breezes while I was able.  I'm assuming that future days off will not allow me to do this.  The windows were open for much of the afternoon.

The Big, Fluffy Kitty voted that we do this more often.

I'm trusting that everyone has either already cast their ballot or that they will be doing so in the next few hours.  Even if you didn't get the day off, it is still a rather exciting day and one where I am always amazed by the system trusting me with a ballot.  It feels so grown up to me even after all these years.

Of course, the fact that I was singing the I Don't Have To Go To School Today song on the way to the polls maybe took away from that feeling just the teeniest bit...

SA