Early voting starts here in Howard County today. My hope was that voter turnout would be substantial. We've got really good, ethical representation in this state, and the races here as not as controversial and heated as those of our neighbor's to the north and the south of us. My expectations were met and then some as it was mobbed. A hopeful sign, I think.
Our clocks turn back this weekend as well, although I wish we could just keep a national standard time all year. My body always takes a few weeks to adjust and I really dislike it getting dark at 4:30.
Our leaves haven't changed yet, but this is beginning. The maples have a bit of color; our nights are getting colder so this should help a bit.
Meanwhile, the inside and front step of the house look seasonal.
We voted last night as the first bands of Sandy blew our way. Today, however, like fish and a guest who overstays her welcome, she's beginning to stink.
This morning we went out to the post office and took a little walk along Wilde Lake as I wanted to snap a few photos of the dam. It was not bad at all as we walked with our umbrella and camera along the lake shore.
As we strolled back to the car under our umbrella, we were reminded of what a beautiful place our town of Columbia is.
Believe it or not, we then drove to Costco (their chicken meatballs are out of this world and I wanted to have a pot of Mom Mom Soup on the stove cooking away. The roads were almost empty. Most businesses and schools are closed and Early Voting has been canceled for today so getting to Costco was easy; finding my membership card was not.
We shopped -- looked at all kinds of Christmas merchandise and books, bought our meatballs, broccoli cheddar soup, smoked salmon and a few other 'necessities' and walked out and immediately lost our umbrella. We still have it, but it's kind of inside-out. Yes, things had deteriorated markedly -- still not horrible, though, which is why we stopped at Starbuck's for a soy latte and a pumpkin spice coffee.
Home now, with a lovely fire going, soup simmering away, the clothes we wore in the dryer, we've hunkered down, snug in our home as the temperature falls, the winds rise, and the rain blows sideways, very aware there are many who are not as fortunate.
