On Being a Good Citizen...

My husband awakened extra early today. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the only days of the week he does not have early morning swim practice or a church meeting so this was a sacrifice for him. He did it because he loves his country and is a good citizen. We have the blessing today of choosing our leaders and he was not going to miss his chance! He arrived at the polling place before it opened and stood in the line with others who had to get to work before 8:00a.m. The temperatures were chilly but he was anxious to make his opinion heard. After 20 minutes in line the polls opened and within 10 minutes he was inside and at the front...of the wrong line?! Let's see...there was one line to get in and no signs inside saying you must be in one line or the other inside. He was in precinct 2's line and we are in precinct 3. Did they simply say, "Oh goodness! You have been waiting so long and have to get to work so just walk on over to the other table and sign in." No! There was disorganization and no mercy to be had. "You'll have to go to the end of the other line" was their answer to his dilemma. The other line was longer than it was when he had been standing outside earlier! He had to get to work. He left, dejected and annoyed. Off to school to teach the youth of Alpine and Highland how to be good citizens in his A.P. Government and Politics class. He may not have a chance to get back to the polls because being a male teacher supporting his family he has to work AFTER school too.

Fast Forward: 10:00a.m. Mr. Loose has left the building! He sneaked (snuck?) out of school during his prep. period and made it back to the elementary school to vote. This time they had organized the lines! Good for him!

Brittany and I got there at 11:00 a.m., voted and were headed back to our car by 11:40! Not too bad! We celebrated with a nice sandwich & bowl of chili at Paradise Cafe (thanks Britt!).

Whatever the results may be, we know we did our part, and best of all we know we had the right to do so!

For some reason this random story just popped into my head. I'll share. At the Fitness Center Britt gets to know the older gentlemen who come daily for exercise and a little flirting with a 25 year old blonde cutie! A few of them had a joke among themselves. They were always saying "God Bless America!" and laughing. They are veterans and Brittany wanted to know what was so funny. One of them told her to come out to the hot tub at a certain time the next day. Sure enough, the next day she went out to the hot tub and found all of the guys there sitting on one side. On the other side of the tub was an older, plump woman in a worn out red, white, & blue bathing suit. The men all sat tight and eventually the lady arose, and exited the tub. To Brittany's horror and amusement she saw that the patriotic suit was quite see-through when wet! After the woman left the area the veterans all stood, saluted her and said together, "God Bless America!!" And so I say to all of you good citizens out there...GOD BLESS AMERICA! She may not be perfect but she is our HOME!