Once of my favorite bloggers, The Chubby Chatterbox, is holding a really neat give away on his blog site. Stephen, as he is also called, is a fine artist but is also a really good story teller. His beautiful painting below is what is up for grabs but his site is well worth the visit even with no prize attached. Check it out.
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| To sign up for the giveaway, go here for rules. |
OK, now for "hang in there." In one more day, if you haven't all ready, we can all cast our ballot and shed ourselves of the most toxic election I have seen in my 56 years of voting. Never has our democratic system give me such a belly ache along with overpowering feelings of disgust and dread. Occasionally in the past I have voted for the lesser of two evils but most often there is a candidate I am behind. This time I am a card carrying member and willing backer of "her" but it has still been a painful process.
Once you have cast your vote and seen the results, I hope you won't feel the need to pack your bags. There is always recourse. I tend to hang around regardless.
If the person you don't want is elected, remember you still have a voice via e-mails and phone calls to your congressional men and women. Use that power, in fact, use it even if your person of choice is the winner. Also remember there are mid-term elections that will need our input.
Democracy may be a ghastly pain at times but it is the best system out there and we are so lucky to have the opportunity to voice our wishes and have them count--even if we do need aspirin, Rolaids, and meditation to make it through.
Hang in, it really will be over soon.
Here in the UK we had to vote whether to stay in the EU. I was a supporter to stay and was shocked when the UK voted to leave. Now when people moan to me about the rising cost of food etc. I say "Don't blame me, I voted to stay". Anyway I hope Clinton wins. Good luck with it all.
ReplyDeleteJoey,
DeleteI know the Brexit vote was a shock to all of us and I feel for those of you who didn't want it. I hope we don't get a similar surprise here.
Whatever the results, we the people are truly in charge and will learn a valuable lesson from this debacle to see it never happens again.
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope so!!
DeleteAnnie,
DeleteYes we are still in charge and I hope we don't forget it.
Fran,
DeleteMe too!!!!!!!
PS..that giveaway is fabulous and I shall ponder my entry before December 3rd. Want to obey all the rules:-)
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteIsn't that painting amazing? I like that he has put the drawing off till Dec 3rd. That gives many a chance to enter.
At times like this I am reminded of how fortunate we are that we were born in the USA. My heart breaks for 3rd world countries and those living under a dictatorship. All of us, regardless of political affiliation, are sick of the antics and negativity of this election. But we can celebrate that we, as a country do have a choice.
ReplyDeleteI'm with her. But at the same time I recognize that those who are not, have concerns that need to be listened to and understood.
Great post Patti! I've got my ibuprofen ready, just in case :-)
Carole,
DeleteThis has been a time for medication hasn't it? Yes, we are so darn luck to have been born here where freedom is our birthright. So many can only dream of what we have. Still--let's get this over with.
I too voted already, for her, and the polls look good, even if we end up with a divided Senate, it looks like she will have a couple of years to try to get things done. It may be flawed, as you say, but boy it's better than most people get to have. I'm ready for it to end, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteOh, I also hope we can pick up some seats so we won't have a locked Congress like before. It is hard to be good when you are blocked at every turn.
I voted early for Hillary. At first I thought I'd just throw her to the sharks and walk away but I've changed my mind. I'm going to get in there and do what little I can to stop this madness in the Republican Party. I do have one problem, I live in a blue state and all my elected people are Democrats. What I want to do is rail at the Texas elected officials. I think that would likely not be effective since I no longer live there. Perhaps my best work would be staying in touch with Oregon's elected to encourage them as they stand to protect us while the Republicans continue their efforts to tear apart not just their party but the country as well.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteLucky you to live in a blue state. At least you are doing your part. I heard even Texas was leaning for the first time in a long time. Wouldn't that be special?
Two terrible candidates---and a country in a huge huge mess!!! Not sure either can help us clean up the messes. Scares me to death --and I'm sure that our ancestors (who worked so hard for our freedoms) are turning over in their graves at what is and has happened. I'll just be glad after tomorrow ---and I will have to quit hearing about all of this. Imagine IF all of the money that both candidates spent on this election were put to good use (like helping our poor and needy), many people in our country would be in better shape. Politics STINKS at every element... I'm finished with supporting anyone... Too upsetting.. I'll just go out and enjoy nature and try to live the best life I can for the years I have left.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the 'negative' comment.
Hugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteWe all need to find our escapes from the madness. Nature for me also is the best way. Do what makes sense to you.
We are going to vote for Hillary tomorrow. We were thinking about voting early, but decided to wait and walk to the polls instead. I can't wait for this entire toxic episode in our country to be over. What worries me is that it won't end, and that there will be sad times ahead.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteMe too. I could have voted early but will hit the polls tomorrow also. It is hard to imagine how we can stabilize after all this but I have hopes.
I voted early. I will be very glad when the election is over. I fear the controversy and attacks and anger will not be over. Thankfully, while I have tried to remain a rational and informed voter, I don't watch much television, so I don't have all the political speak coming at me all day long.
ReplyDeleteSally,
DeleteYou are probably smart to avoid the TV though it has brought me a bit of calm after the storm. Now we will wait and see.
Although this presidential election has been especially messy because of the vileness of DT, I do not hate the political process. As a single individual, one can feel insignificant, but it is all of us singles who collectively make our choices and keep this nation running, a nation that is still the light of the world. We do need to work to keep it that way.
ReplyDeleteLinda R,
DeleteMe too on the process. It is the best this globe has to offer and while it doesn't always go our way, it is still one we should feel lucky to be a part of.
I am extremely glad that I live in a country where I have a voice.
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for Donald Trump!
I voted the way I did, because I believe in the rule of law, in the basic humanity of my neighbors, in the fact that we are each responsible for our own decisions.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/N0dCTvX0wzs
Brig,
DeleteWe may be on difference sides of the aisle as are some of my family members but all of us want what is best for the USA. Time will tell.
I know this is long, but worth the reading, I think... http://www.vox.com/2016/4/21/11451378/smug-american-liberalism
DeleteI early voted- first time for everything I guess. The last president I liked was Ronald Reagan, so that should tell you how long it's been that I've actually woke up the next morning happy. Have a great Wed- and rest of the week too! :)
ReplyDeleteTerri,
DeleteI am so happy you have reason to celebrate and hope we all feel that way eventually. Time will decide.
The painting is amazing! Wow! Well, the election is over...thank goodness. I don't have much faith in either party, it seems to me that most politicians are all about the power and money they can put into their OWN pockets. But, I can't vote for a party that condones abortion which involves tearing limbs and bashing skulls, same-sex marriage, and letting illegals cross our borders as fast as they can get in and a host of other things. I can't say that Trump is the most stellar of candidates, but of the two I had to be true to my beliefs and vote for him. I have friends who have differences of opinion from mine, but we still love one another and get along in spite of them. I am in hopes that our country can put emotions aside now and get along. The riots I've been seeing are so disturbing and disgusting. Why can't we all get along? It's not that hard to do.
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
DeleteI hope you signed up for the painting. It would look great in your project.
The protests have so far been relatively peaceful and I hope they continue to be so.
Hi Patti,
ReplyDeleteI do so hope that things will quieten down enough so that the political process can work as it should. It would be tragic if the unrest that has flared after the result threatens democracy itself. Sometimes I wish that social media wasn't such a force in society, media such as twitter seem to encourage instant knee jerk reactions to things, rather than having time to think, reflect, and plan. As a species I think we all benefit from having "time to smell the roses", I know that I do! Maybe we should all take up potting... I remember how fantastically relaxing it was to sit at a potters wheel for the first time a decade or so ago, and to put both my hands round a wet and sticky ball of clay whilst the wheel spun slowly. It was one of those "Ahhhhhh" moments! You are very much in our thoughts at this time, Hugs from Peter, Laura, and Nigella Stopit
Peter,
DeleteI agree, social media is the devils play toy. Thank you for your calming words. Yes, maybe we should all take up potting or at least wallow in what brings us peace. For me it is classical music. That gives me the Ahhhh moment.
Be glad you are far away.
It is what it is ... that's about the most that I can say. Lovely picture though and a nice respite.
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
DeleteIt is a lovely picture. Hope you sign up for it. We need something to brighten our day.
Colorful painting! Interesting giveaway. Our formal voting over for this election but have never seen one like this. I highly recommend reading this commentary I became aware of just today. She's a prominent highly respected 49 year old Russian and American Journalist Masha Gessen who has had first hand experience as a citizen of both countries:
ReplyDeletehttp://www2.nybooks.com/daily/s3/nov/10/trump-election-autocracy-rules-for-survival.html
joared,
DeleteHope you signed up for it. Thanks for the link. I checked it and it was a view point most of us haven't experienced like she has. Hope others read it.