Well, here we are… December 2nd. I guess it’s officially Christmas season now. We had a nice, though busy, Thanksgiving weekend over here. Thanksgiving Day my MIL came up for dinner. Saturday was my parent’s 50th anniversary, so we drove up to Western Mass. and met them and my brother’s family at this wonderful German restaurant Munich Haus for a celebratory lunch. It was super fun catching up with everyone and because we were at a restaurant I think everyone could actually relax — no stressing about how clean the house is or cooking for 11 people. 

After that Drew headed out to our condo on the Cape (since he was just about halfway there already) so he could work on a few projects and go to the cable store today to get our service set up. Yesterday was back to college for Mr. Music, so most of my afternoon was spend on the highways of New York and Connecticut. And now it’s back to work.

I was able to get just about all my Christmas shopping done this weekend, and while all the kids were home I got a photo for cards, too. I’ll try to get those mailed out next week. This year I definitely feel like everything is just an item to be checked off a list. Actually, a lot of people I know feel similar. Not sure if it’s because Thanksgiving was so late this year or what, but I know for sure I’m not alone. 

Nevertheless, I do have a lot of holiday activities coming up:

• my daughter’s winter band concert
• the town tree & menorah lighting
• baking 4 dozen (!) anise cookies for the Friends of the Library cookie sale
• gingerbread house program and cookie sale at work
• staff appreciation lunch

Tomorrow Jake has an interview for a job he really wants so I am crossing my fingers and toes. It’s at a hospital in NYC, which is perfect. Close enough to hop on a train to visit, but far enough for him to be on his own. Public transportation. And it would be great work experience in his field before applying to grad school. His goal is to be a credentialed LCSW (licensed clinical social worker), and CUNY Hunter has a great program so any positive vibes are appreciated.

I have some crochet projects on deck, so I am looking forward to starting those. I’m also trying to find some lighter books to read this month, to try to get my mind off, well… everything. I’m almost done with Exit West, which is for my Global Lit book club. After that I am putting aside all of my history and political non-fiction until next year. So, I downloaded The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore for my Kindle. I figure it is probably cutesy and won’t take a lot of brain power to read. Plus it sounds like the main character has my attitude problem, LOL! Lesser Ruins by Mark Haber also just came in for me as a hold, so hopefully those will keep me occupied.

Well, I guess that is about it. On to another busy week!

One of my favorite quotes is “Silence is the best reply to a fool.” It is attributed to Imam Ali. I’ll see if I can take this advice to heart over the next few days. Godspeed to those of you who have to deal with, shall we say difficult relatives. And if you feel like you really can’t stay quiet, well… Sadly, facts are unlikely to sway them so maybe just double-down on their ridiculous claims and say something even more insane just to mess with them! This reel from Dan Donohue explains it better than I can.

I’ve had so many thoughts spinning through my head in the last 36 hours. I’ve plotted out a number of crafts I want to make, patterns I want to hook or knit up, and — surprisingly, since I’ve barely written this year — dozens of blog post ideas. More than a few of those won’t see the light of day but you know what? I’m really tired of holding myself back on my own blog. I have every right to say what I want. You don’t like it? You don’t have to read and you are welcome to move on to other things. But in the words of Frank Costanza…

I’m back, baby!

This is my space. I pay for the hosting. I own the domain. And at this point I don’t really think there’s anyone reading, so who the hell cares? So I’m returning to how I originally blogged 20 years ago. I’m going to write about what I want, and sometimes that is going to cover social topics and political issues. I love the news. I love following politics. I have bachelor’s degrees in journalism and economics and poly sci classes were some of my favorite electives. And I’m tired of letting people who, frankly, know less have the mic while I take a back seat.

I’m not saying that this is turning into a political blog — that is not my intention at all. It’s always been an online journal for me and I will continue to share my projects, recipes, flower photos, and book suggestions. But I want to be authentic and true to myself. I will do so respectfully, and hopefully with humor. Hopefully you’ll stick around. I am definitely motivated to write a whole lot more!

“Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises.”

— Elizabeth Zimmermann

To say I am disappointed in the outcome of the election, and in the majority of Americans is an understatement. I think we are in for some tough years ahead (socially, economically, and democratically), but all I can do is continue to make a positive difference in my community to the greatest extent possible. To quote an email I received this morning, “We have the opportunity to continue to be a catalyst to increase social cohesion by growing empathy, respect, and understanding among neighbors in our communities.” 

At the top of this post is a quote from Elizabeth Zimmermann. It has gotten me through trying times before so it immediately popped to mind. Crafting has always been an escape for me, grounding me when things seem to be spiraling out of control, and so I cast on for a new project today. I really didn’t know what else to do.

I am definitely scared of what is to come. But I am also encouraged by Vice President Kamala Harris, who said today, “The light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”

For now, I’ll just take it row by row.

One of my favorite sayings to encourage people to vote is Your vote is your voice! We have the right, and the civic responsibility, to cast our ballots every Election Day. We are given this gift to participate in democracy. Be thoughtful, take your choices seriously, and educate yourself on the issues. Here are some important things to remember if you are voting on Election Day:

What if my polling locations closes while I am still waiting in line?
STAY IN LINE! If you are in line when the polls close, stay in line. As long as your are in line before the polls closed, you may remain in line for as long as it takes.

What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
ASK AN ELECTION WORKER FOR A NEW BALLOT! Mistakes happen, but do not scribble on your ballot or cross out a choice. 

Can I wear clothes, buttons, etc. showing support for a candidate or an issue?
THIS DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU VOTE. Here in New York, the answer is NO. It is considered electioneering. It is best to err on the side of caution and leave that stuff at home or in your car.

What do I do if I am turned away at the polls?
YOU REPEAT THIS VERBATIM: “Please give me a provisional ballot with a receipt as required by law.”

What do I do if someone threatens me or tries to intimidate me while I am trying to vote?
VOTER INTIMIDATION IS A FEDERAL CRIME. Federal law says it is illegal to “intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote or to vote as he may choose.” If this happens to you, there are three things you should do: 1) Report the behavior to an election worker. 2) Contact your local Board of Elections and report the behavior, noting the location, the time, and any other details you can remember. 3) If you think you’re encountering or witnessing voter intimidation, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to get voting help from a trained election protection volunteer.

Also, be kind to your poll workers! Although many receive a stipend, they are essentially volunteers.

Hello and Happy Hallo-week! I hope you had a great weekend, as I sure did. It was my birthday and I celebrated turning 49! I am not someone who gets down about birthdays, I am definitely in the “celebrate them!” category. As the saying goes, aging is a privilege denied to many and I am grateful for every year.

I kicked things off on Friday night, picking up my favorite combo pizza after getting my daughter from stage crew. Saturday (my birthday) was spent running around and puttering around the house. I made sirloin steaks, baked potatoes, and steamed asparagus for dinner. (Yes, I cooked on my birthday! It’s something I love to do!). And of course there was cake: a chocolate mousse cake decorated like a black cat. Adorable and delicious! Adams Fairacre Farms has the best bakery!

Saturday was also the first day of early voting here in New York. I have always voted on Election Day because my polling location is literally next door to where I work (connected by the YA books hallway, actually). But this year for a variety of reasons I decided to vote early. With so much at stake (ahem, democracy), I took the opportunity to cast my ballot and get it done. And I am happy to say I had to wait for about a half hour — turnout was amazing! I am always working to get people to register to vote so seeing this made me very happy.

Yesterday was spent catching up on housework and spending some time crafting (crochet and cardmaking). I made a pot of potato soup for dinner and we just continued with our “Superstore” rewatch in the evening because we were both wiped out. (D. spent the weekend re-roofing the shed.)

And now we start another week! It is tech week for the high school play, so lots of late night pickups are in my future. And, of course, Halloween! We live in a very rural area and don’t get any trick-or-treaters but we will do something special for Storytime this week and of course on Halloween itself at work.

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE!

It’s National Voter Registration Day! A lot is riding on the upcoming election, so check your registration regularly (especially if you live in one of those states that is dumping voter rolls) as we inch closer to November 5th. And don’t forget to TURN OVER YOUR BALLOT! That’s where the propositions (like local library funding referendums) will be. Make sure your college kids request their absentee ballots, too!

I am a huge voting rights advocate and I am sure it stems from my grandmother who worked the polls every year. I have fond memories of tagging along with my parents to vote. My family showed me how important this civic act is and it absolutely infuriates me that politicians in some states are making it harder for people to vote. It is your right and it is your duty to exercise that right! Even if I don’t agree with someone’s views I would never deny helping someone register to vote. That is un-American.

REGISTER TO VOTE OR CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS

While many people are proud to campaign for their candidate of choice, it is also important to remember that your vote is private. It is no one’s business who you vote for. You never have to disclose that information to anyone (including – and sometimes especially – your spouse). Along the same lines, voter intimidation is illegal! I expect there will be many cases this cycle, so if this is something you experience, immediately report it to your local Board of Elections.

Whether you are voting early, voting absentee, or voting at your local polling site on November 5th, just be sure you have a plan!

“Every citizen of this country should be guaranteed that their vote matters, that their vote is counted, and that in the voting booth, their vote has as much weight as that of any CEO, any member of Congress or any President.”
– Barbara Boxer

Wishing all of you hard-working folks a very happy Labor Day! And to everyone who has to work today, you are seen and appreciated! 

Let’s remember to thank unions for this holiday. Here is a little history for you:

1882: New York City labor unions held a parade to celebrate their workers and to support all unions. At least 20,000 people attended and workers gave up a day’s pay to be there.

1885-1886: Labor Day received its first governmental recognition through municipal ordinances.

1887: Parades similar to the first one held in New York City took place in different regions of the country. Five states (Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, and Colorado) created a state Labor Day Holiday. By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Nebraska would also create a state holiday.

1894: Senator James H. Kyle from S. Dakota introduced a bill to make Labor Day a federal, legal holiday taking place on the first Monday in September. The bill passed on June 28, 1894 and he is recognized as “the father of Labor Day.”

Information from the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Constitution Center.

Happy Friday! We got back from the Cape last night and I have to admit… the motivation to go to work today has been tough. I’ve had to catch up on and correct seemingly a million things, plus get everything organized for our booth at Community Day tomorrow. But mentally I’m still here:

The Cape Cod sunrises are just stunning. It was absolutely worth getting up at 5:30 every day of vacation to enjoy them! We had no traffic getting in or out of the Cape (!), absolutely perfect weather, a great hotel within walking distance to two beaches, and enjoyed some really fantastic chowder, lobster, clams, and haddock. Here are a few more photos from this week.

I never really considered myself a beach person, and this week made me realize that I’ve just been going to the wrong beaches. The quiet, calm, relaxing vibe on the Cape is just what I needed and I can’t wait to go back!

Happy Monday! Happy new week! Just a few things I am thinking about on this summer day…

… Last week we celebrated two birthdays — 22 and 19! The time just flies, doesn’t it? I used to get so annoyed when the kids were small and people would tell me that, but they were right. And now I get to be the annoying one saying it to young moms.

… Kind of bummed that I didn’t get my act together in time to enter something into the County Fair, which starts tomorrow. Hopefully next year!

… Bittersweet that N. heads back to campus on Saturday. They are so ready to get back to school, though, and that softens the blow. This week the band is doing a mini-tour and having a blast. I’m enjoying their in-between-time camping out in our yard. They are all a bunch of very sweet guys!

… Vacation next week! To say I am looking forward to dipping my toes in the ocean is an understatement. Also: Papa Gino’s pizza and the Edward Gorey House!

… And then Community Day (does your town have one?) and Labor Day and Poof! The summer is over. It’s pretty nice that schools in our area still wait until after Labor Day to start. Not going to lie… I love it. 

The next couple of weeks sure do have a lot happening, and it is all good stuff, but I am so ready for the fall and for a little more structure in our days. And of course, all the fabulous fall things like apple and pumpkin-flavored everything, cozy blankets, scary movies, craft fairs, twinkle lights, fabulous foliage, oversized sweatshirts… I could go on and on! 

Wishing you a JOYFUL week, my friends!