I just voted

The day after watching the stimulating and erudite Presidential Debate I got a mail-in ballot. I voted that way in the primary election so I sort of knew what to do. I'm trusting enough to return it in my local blue box so the process should be finished by tomorrow.

I can sort of see why Trump is so opposed to mail-in votes. After last night's dismal debate I can see that the last thing he needs is for voters to vote today. There's always the chance that in the next five weeks Biden could be shown to have children out of wedlock or the New York Times could be shown to have printed a fraudulent tax form for our president. Unlikely, but possible. 

Ballots are interesting, especially for down ballot issues. I noticed that there were four people running for three slots on the Board of Education. I looked up the candidates on the Internet and noticed one of them led two Girl Scout troops. In a moment of petulance, I didn't vote for her. 

My final question was should I vote for xxx the Barber. What an intriguing name. He is running as an independent for town council. Looking him up on the web I saw that he has run for Senate and Congress and now was reduced to running for a local position. He has a long beard and probably could use someone in his esteemed profession to clean up his sideboards. If he stood for something like legalizing cocaine or giving the votes to housepets I might have voted for him. Unfortunately his only issue seems to be term limits. 

New Jersey also has a ballot question on legalizing marijuana. I suppose the state needs the revenue. 

Appreciating 2020

 Like 1929, 1967 or 2001, we are living in a year that will long be remembered in history. Yesterday the sky outside was white and I heard that it was because the smoke from Oregon had found its way to New Jersey. How unique to have white sky. 

Today I was driving around and I noticed how many circus tents were sitting next door to the parking lots of bars and grills. I thought nothing of it until I described the scene to a friend living overseas and he was struck by how weird the scene seemed to him. We take for granted the outdoor dining of our favorite haunts. Indoor dining is now legal in the state, however, so I am starting to appreciate what may be the waning days of tent dining in New Jersey. 

Let's not  even get started on the upcoming presidential election. Ad astra per aspera.

A bartender with a heavy hand

 

When I was home from college one summer I announced to the folks that a few buddies and I were going to New Milford for an evening out. My father was curious and asked, "What's in New Milford?" I said we were going to a bar where the bartender had a heavy hand. 

Apparently the thought made my father nostalgic for his Army days. "When we were on leave we would travel to a place way up the road to find a bartender with a heavy hand. It's always good to find a bartender who knows how to pour a drink."

Many years later I was driving in New Mexico and saw a sign as I entered a small town saying, "Welcome, our bartenders have heavy hands". 

Today, though, I was sitting under a circus tent and the drinks came out in tiny plastic cups. No room there for a bartender with a heavy hand. I can't wait til they come out with a vaccine.