Voting

I got up early today and went to the county building. I went to participate in the the greatest privilege and responsibility that I know of - the right to vote. I am a person who votes even for the smallest elections. School board? No problem. I will be there. County board? Certainly! If there is a chance for me to go to the polls - I will go.

I get misty and my chest pumps up just a bit right after I vote. The cynic in the back of my brain tries to tell me that it doesn't matter. But in that one moment right after I vote, the optimist takes over and shouts a large AMEN.

I voted today as I will be out of the county on election day. I did an absentee in person vote. I was given the choice between a paper ballot and the voting machine ballot. I even got a "I voted absentee" sticker.

I have never picked a winner in a presidential election. ( Yes, I know...) I think this time might be THE time that I have chosen the 'right' candidate. I voted for reason, ability and caliber of discussion and ideas. I wish both parties could have given me a reasonable choice. Sadly, one party made it very easy for me to make my choice.

Another emotion that I felt as I walked out of the polls was one of relief. This election season is almost over. It is not a moment too soon for me. I do know that the next cycle will begin anew in 6-8 months! AHHHHH.... but for the moment I will look forward to the silence of the next several months.

I did my civic duty. I can only hope that all my friends and family do the same! It is your right and your responsibility. I wish all the folks who speak of patriotism and 'USA' would realize the same thing. The greatest act of patriotism is to VOTE. One party would like you to think that voting for them is more patriotic. That's not true. Just the act of voting is to say YES to the democratic government with which we are graced.

To the friends and family who have been doing the Get out the Vote campaign. Thank you. Your service is invaluable. To the friends and family who are campaigning for a candidate - your rest is almost upon you. Do not lose energy or heart! To the friends in CA, who are working for the NO on 8, Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I wish I had the time, the courage and the wherewithal to be there with you!


VOTE! VOTE EARLY! TAKE A BOOK TO READ WHILE YOU STAND IN THE POLL LINE.

Willy Wander and Mrs. Wander!

Cricket, Blue and I spent the day out in Manasas learning the art of chocolate! The Wanders ( Wilhelm and Melanie ) have started their very special Artisan chocolate shop out in Manasas. We took the course via Taste DC. We do believe we made more chocolate than we tasted but it is indeed close!


More to follow but I wanted to put some photos up for folks.








Blue is earning her keep at the enrober. No, we were not allowed to lay down and send ourselves through! Sigh.

Wilhelm and Blue discuss the science of chocolate!

Yep, Thats where we were! We made it through the day!

Chocolate 101 Class TODAY!

We can't wait. We have been looking at taking this class for many months! We finally bit the bullet and signed up.

I hope to be able to post some photos from the day by tomorrow!

The agenda for the day:

Chocolate Making 101 Outline (with Lunch and Plenty of Chocolate Tasting!):-Introduction to Chocolaterie Wanders-History of Chocolate -How Chocolate is Made-Chocolate Tasting-Making a Ganache Demonstration with Hands-On Participation-Marzipan Lecture and Demonstration-Hands-On Group Makes Orange Marzipan Moons-Groups Roll Ganache into Balls-Guitar Cutting of Chat Noir (Black Cat) Ganache-Tempering Lecture and Demonstration-Groups Temper by Hand and with Machine-Groups Enrobe by Hand and with Machine-Quick Easy Recipes for Chocolate at Home-Packaging of Products to Take Home/Q&A

YEA!!! Blue, Cricket and I are off! I have always wanted to learn how to use an enrober machine!

Catching Up

Its good to know that there are a few folks that do stop into this new blog now and then! I do appreciate it. Work has had me buried as of late. I suspect that until Jan 20, life will still be crazy on that front!

Speaking of work, I received sad news today. One of my favorite agency employees is going to reassigned back to her home agency. (She has been on temp. detail for a very long time to our agency!). My nickname for her is "My Whale." My Whale is one of those ghost people of the world who you see headed to work in the morning pulling her briefcase behind her and muttering to yourself. You think, "wonder where she is headed." She has the biggest heart but at times gets overwhelmed and very frustrated with those around her. She has suffered for years upon years with a serious of supervisors who don't understand her or wont take the time to get to know her and most importantly, listen to her. It has been a honor for me the last couple of years to listen to her. She never failed to bring a smile to my face.

She has taught me two very important lessons. 1. Say thank you to those who help you and support you in your job. She never fails to thank those of us who are in support roles. She emails. She hugs you. She even gets you the occasional cookies or flowers from the street vendor. The second lesson is "Its not about you." She gets very angry and frustrated and she lashes out. I have been on the receiving end of her lashes many times. It dawned on me in the last year that she was just scared. This past year, I have been tasked to bring lots of change to her processes. I know that she likes me and trusts me but too many other people have not listened. Her anger is not about me. She is scared and is responding from that place. I have learned to let her vent. And then I do my best to bring her back to center and move forward. When all is said and done, she remembers to Thank me and apologize. I have been yelled at and taken to task by many folks over the years but I have never had anyone come back to center with me.

I will miss her. I fear for her. Work is My Whales life. She eats and breathes her job. She works very long hours. I just don't know what she will do with herself when it is no longer. I just want to go to her and give her a hug. I have been working in the last year to teach her the meaning of the word "chillax." One of the interns that work with her printed it out and put it over her desk. I have been at every chance using the word around her. I have been encouraging her to take a well deserved vacation. Perhaps, she will use this as an opportunity to do some chillaxin' and vacationing.

You may wonder why I call her My Whale. Well, when I met her I was reading a book about how whales talk to each other. Humans just don't understand the code. I realized when I met her - she talked her own language and most people did not have the time to sort through the extraneous to get to the heart of what she was really saying. For some reason, I saw a kindred soul and could speak directly to her and her to me! I started saying that I speak whale! It was a gift, blessing and yes, at times, a curse!

So if you see a woman walking down the street next week near my job pulling a small carry on suitcase muttering to herself and looking pretty lost, Stop and give her a smile. She could probably use the kindness of strangers next week.

Palin Debate Flow Chart

I have no comment. Just thought this should be posted widely! :)

Thanks to Erin Jackson! She was DC's representative in NBC's Last Comic Standing. She was great! I dont know if this is her creation or if it is a web floater but check her out at her blog: http://www.erinjackson.net/blog/

Saturday Farmers Market

This morning I got up and did one of my most favorite things to do - I went to the Arlington Farmers Market in Clarendon. Ok, yes, I do this almost every Saturday year round. It is not that unsual.

Perhaps, the cool fall weather with the crip blue skies helped make it a bit more special. I got the pleasure of talking to my farmers market friends. The older gentleman and his sister who love to tell us the story of how their farm is the only one left in their part of Maryland. It is truly a family enterprise. I often want to ask them what will become of their farm when they just cant do it anymore. This week was not the week. He was busy making sure we knew he wouldnt be there next week. It appears that it is one of his rare days off! He said that after 30 years of Saturdays - he deserved it. I agree. His sister wants to go to her 50th class reunion and he, well, just wants to do something else. I told him that he has more than earned it!

We also said 'Hey!' to the Cookie Lady. I call her the crack dealer behind her back! She lets you sample all of her cookies before you buy and even if you don't buy! Just like the crack dealer - the first hit is always free! :) You ask her the secrets of her cookies and she tells you that she just makes them like grandma did. Butter, flour and good solid ingredients.

We didn't even get a chance to talk to Forrest my favorite beef, egg and pork producer or the family that comes down from PA with their milk and cheese!

I love the farmers market. My diet has improved steadily with the wide variety seasonal items available. I want to figure out what to do with the bunch of seconds of tomato's, apples or even garlic scapes! I also feel good as I get to know the vendors. As they put food on my table, I know that I am putting food on their table and gas in their cars.

From their website:

The Arlington Farmers' Market is proud to focus on several key goals:1) Providing the freshest and highest quality foods to our customers. 2) Allowing customers to meet the people who grow their food. 3) Supporting local farmers by limiting the distance (125 miles) from which a producer may travel. 4) Educating our customers about food, environment, and community issues through booths staffed by theVirginia Cooperative Extension, Master Gardeners, and community non-profits

I would strongly encourage you go one Saturday! Better yet - get in touch with me and I will guide you through and have you meet my friends! The weather in the fall is beautiful. There are samples around for you to taste - they make a great breakfast! You are not only getting a great product - you are helping a local farmer. How great is that?? What a wonderful gift!

Lets have coffee one Saturday!

Debate! Debate? Not me!

The Vice Presidential debate is this evening. I am not watching it.



Why? What substance will come of it? Will Sarah Palin suddenly present herself as a great orator? Will Biden become warm and homey?



It's not likely. What will certainly come is more rhetoric, more division and more bickering. Why do I want to bring that energy to my life?



I am going to vote and will watch the remaining presidential debates but in the long run the VP debate means nothing to me. Yes, I know the office is a heartbeat to the President (and with McCain's age folks certainly should have an eye on this!). The office of VP is a support role. It is often used as a 'pitbull' role to protect the goodwill of the President. In my opinion, both Palin and Biden can do do this effectively.



I don't vote for a pitbull. I vote for a leader. If watching the debate, will help you vote - THEN WATCH THE DEBATE!!! Just vote! Please. McCain? Obama? Choose! Nader? Fine!



Just exercise your right and responsibility to vote.



So what will I do tonite? I am spending it at work. A good civil servant. Doing my job!!

Right on Jim Wallis!

Cricket sent this blog post by Jim Wallis to me this evening. I found it incredibly striking. Mr. Wallis is best known to me as the author of God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It" (Harper Collins, 2005). Its a good read!

In his blog on Huffigtonpost.com, Mr. Wallis comments on the state of the American Dream, the American Congress and the financial crisis that is affecting us right now. He offers several suggestions for repentance that Congress could offer during the Jewish High Holy time. Most of which, I found to be right on point.

He also serves up a few suggestions for us ‘common’ folks:

“For being seduced into lifestyles beyond our means and contrary to our religious traditions of simplicity and stewardship. For living on far too much credit, rather than living within our limits. For sometimes putting economic values ahead of family values. For letting the relentless assault of advertising and a culture of consumption to seed in us the sin of covetousness. For valuing our lives too much by the cultural values of worth, instead of by the values of the kingdom of God. And, for the students at Harvard (where I sometimes teach), the fact that half of you want to go into
investment banking as a career is a sign that something has gone wrong with the
culture. Repent, and make sure your vocation benefits the common
good.”

He is right. What are we all doing for the common good? How have we each gotten caught in the ‘rat’ race of economic gain and possession management?

I don’t advocate a “Christian’ nation. However, I think we all need to be grounded is a firm spiritual base that cares for those around us as ourselves. If it is true that in the end, we are judged by how we treated the least of our brothers and sisters, then we might want to use this time of ‘crisis’ as a gift to re-evaluate where we stand in relation to that! It seems to me that it is a universal belief of most of the world religions. Care, Love, Respect. If I am not helping the common good – who is?

I am guilty of living beyond my means ( although it is slowly improving in time) and I know that I get caught up in the rat race that is consumerism and greed. I think this is a fine time for me to repent and make some resolutions to walk more humbly and care more deeply. I can rage against the politicans but in the end – I need to look into the mirror. I challenge you all to do the same.

Would love to hear your comments! Leave me some!

Reference:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/repent-the-end-is-near_b_130645.html