My Election Story

The great vote is over now, and the town meetings are history. In the past, I have always cast my vote at election time, but this year, I was smack dab in the middle of all the political discourse in our town. Actually, as I stood in the 40 degree (F) weather with a stiff wind, I have to say that with the exception of one candidate, we all got along splendidly! No kidding. We joked, and laughed and talked about our love for our town. I can honestly say that I grew to truly like the people I stood with that day (with the exception of the “Bully”). These terrific people are the reason I love my town. Here is a picture of us as we campaigned. The “Bully” is there, but I will refrain from pointing him out. Just think pretty boy John Edwards.

I got to the Community Center at 6:45 AM that day and set up. I then went inside and cast my ballot. I felt proud to see my name on the ballot, at the same time it was a little surreal. I was Voter # 2 that day. We had a total of 941 people come to vote.

Hubby was a sweetheart. He brought me 2 thermoses of hot coffee, and Holly, one of the candidates went off to get lunch from McDonald’s for us all. I grew to really like her, and we talked almost all afternoon.

I stopped people and told them my name and what I was running for. I always shook their hands. I smiled, but it was an honest smile. I was happy to be there and happy to be running for office.

The other candidates teased me in a nice way, about greeting the voters. I have to admit, by the very end of the day, I almost didn’t know my name or what I was running for.

During the mid day, the sun was out and we all stayed warm, the tough part was the end of the day when the sun had set and the temperatures were falling. Then we all froze.

At 6:55 PM we went inside and waited until they ended the voting. Then we were able to go into the hall and wait for the machines to tabulate the ballots. I sat, thawing and listening to the moderator read the results. He read my name, said I received 905 votes and I felt such a surge of relief and pride!

I said my good-byes to my fellow candidates (The “Bully” was long gone, and he did not win his race either!), I hugged them and we all got in our cars and left.

When I got home I had some hot pot roast that I had thrown in the crock-pot at 6:30 in the morning. It was wonderfully hot and delicious! Hubby popped the cork on the champagne bottle and we celebrated my election!

At 9 PM I was in bed with all the dogs and my day had ended.

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Today I noted that a “Bob House” on our quickly thawing lake had fallen through. Another one is so close to open water it will probably go in overnight. If you look beyond the one “Bob House” you can see you can just make out the tip of the sinking “Bob House”!

I think we will have an early ice-out on the lake this year.