VOTING TWICE

 As of this writing, more than 40 million Americans have voted in the 2020 presidential election. Even with coronavirus cases hitting nearly 60,000 each day, folks are putting on their masks and heading to the polls. I tried to be safer this year in by voting in a different way, but things didn’t work out so well.  

I filled out the standard absentee request form online. For some reason, electronic signatures aren’t accepted, so the form had to be downloaded, signed, and mailed. At that point, I was still committed to this method of casting my ballot so that I could stay safe and protect my loved ones from possible infections.  

I put the request for a ballot in my mailbox on September 21. Worries arose about the form arriving at the right place because of the shenanigans pulled by the new director of the U.S. Postal Service. For most people, pulling out sorting machines that could handle mail, cutting overtime hours for employees, and making deliverers leave without having pulled all of the day’s mail certainly led to distrust of the post office.  

After a week or so, I anxiously checked the mail each day for my ballot. Each day my disappointment and anxiety grew when it didn’t arrive. By the second week, panic almost set in. On the Thursday before early voting began, I called the election commission. The worker there was polite and helpful. She checked on the status and relayed to my ballot arrived on September 29 and that workers were now working on processing requests from September 27,28, and 29. It took a full week to send a single envelope from northwest Knoxville to downtown Knoxville!  

On October 14th, my brother Jim and I met at the Karns Senior Citizen Center. We’ decided to cast our ballots the regular way. Always the worrier, I suggested we meet no later than 7: 00 a.m. to avoid long lines. My arrival time was 6:40, and Jim drove up a few minutes later. We queued up with others and stood behind just five people.  

No other voting ran more smoothly, at least until I gave my name to the poll worker. She frowned and scanned the computer screen and then announced that I had requested an absentee ballot. I confirmed that but told her I’d done so nearly a month ago. Because I was so concerned about the post office’s possible failure to turned around the ballot in time to count, I decided to vote in person.  

The worker, who told me she was a trainer, made several calls to unanswered phones before getting in touch with her boss. After another couple of calls, she informed me that I would have to fill out a provisional ballot. I assured her that I planned to toss the mailed ballot in the trash if it ever arrived. Part of this new process involved filling out several forms and signing my name more times than I had since college. I thanked the workers for all their help and left to polling place.  

Jim sat in his truck and waited for me to come out. He’d been finished several minutes before and laughed at me when I walked up. He asked if I was going to vote absentee again. The reply is one that can’t be repeated here.  

That afternoon, I retrieved the mail, and yes, just as you've guessed, the absentee ballot was in the stack of envelopes. I shook my head as I deposited the whole thing in the garbage. Voting in person was the best decision considering that I can’t be sure the mail service can get the mail-in one where it goes.  

I’m proud that so many Americans are taking part in this election. Prognosticators say this could be a record turnout. Regardless of which candidate voters choose, they can feel good in knowing that their participation in the process strengthened democracy. Also, those who vote have the right to voice complaints; those who haven’t participated forfeited that right. So, make sure you vote. 

 

READ BANNED BOOKS

 Yes, I admit that my profession for 30 years was spent teaching English to high school students. During that time in classroom, I enjoyed the students and especially stressed writing and grammar. My strengths were grounded in those areas. I also presented literature and found that the right kind of presentations of pieces can have lasting effects on students. Recently, I came across a picture of a stack of familiar books. To my shock, anger and disgust, I read the caption to discover these books have been banned in some schools. What is wrong with people? 

I required some students to read The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne. The book details the life of a woman who had a child out of wedlock. The father was the community minister. Hawthorne’s use of the red letter is one of the best examples of symbolism in literature. In addition, character development is excellently crafted in the book. Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale captivate readers and bring on a range of emotions.  

This classic presents the weaknesses of humans. It also includes the psychological damages that befall the three main characters as they go through life. The mood of the book in not bright and sunny; no happy ending comes. In too many cases in this world, the events and outcomes mirror those of so many lives today. 

What objections could people have for this book? Although it was written long ago, its relevance for today can be seen through the hypocrisy of the community, the damage to outcast children, and the results of a religion that fails to forgive.  

To Kill a Mockingbird sits atop the picture of banned books. Most folks of my generation have either read the book or watched the movie that starred Gregory Peck. Set in Alabama during the Depression, the book tells of a black man’s unjust conviction of the rape of a white woman. He is represented by a white attorney who becomes the target of hate and mistreatment by his community. His children are caught in middle of the hatred, and son Jim is harmed by an extremist as he protects his sister Scout. Their father Atticus loses his case but gains the respect of the black community for his dedication to his client, Tom Robinson.  

Some folks with too little to do find some of the language objectionable. The words “damn” and “nigger” are used. Some declare the storyline is too far removed from the reality of life in the south during that time. I can only counter that the offensive words are still in use today. That doesn’t make them right, but removing something that accurately describes the reality of the time is essential in changing today’s world. Perhaps having Atticus serving as a hero is not an adequate portrayal of a white man during that time, but it works for the story. By the way, To Kill a Mockingbird is a work of fiction, but it sure sounds familiar in today’s world. 

George Orwell’s Animal Farm and Nineteen EIghty-Four are books that should be read by every person in this country. Both tells stories of governments that control the citizens through lying, brainwashing, and monitoring. During the divisive times the U.S. is experiencing right now, citizens can become aware of the potential dangers of government by reading the events of the books. Some might be shocked by how similar our situations are to those about which Orwell wrote in 1949.  

Special interest groups with complaints should never rule what books are read in schools. Acclaimed classics are deemed excellent literature because they usually teach lessons for an entire society or the world. To say “no” to a book because of a few offensive words or a morally questionable act by characters shows the ignorance of those objectors. Today’s people can learn much about how they should live life by opening their minds to ideas books present. If we don’t, our world will become the one that is the same one that Fahrenheit 451 describes. Don’t be afraid. Knowledge comes from Reading.  

KEEPING BUSY

 Being confined can begin to affect anyone after a while. This Covid 19 virus is infecting millions, killing thousands, and depressing an entire country. Cases are again on the rise, and before long, we might be back where we were during the worst of times, and that means things will close down again. I’ve had a spurt of energy, most likely caused by being stuck at home most of the time. That’s good for completing projects around home, but not so good for my old body.  

Pulling weeds isn’t one of my favorite tasks, but I’ve worn my hands raw doing so. The flower beds are now clean as a whistle. The areas around the pool would be neat and tidy as well, but Amy read that leaving the dead stalks of flowers gives birds seeds to eat. Eventually, I’ll be able to cut those things down. 

Leaves are beginning fall, and my property if full of trees. Most are oaks, and they stingily let go of their leaves. I usually rake, blow, and mow leaves until January, at which time I yell, “Uncle!” The remaining leaves will fall by spring. I hate dealing with leaves because the end result is that I come down with an upper respiratory infection from the dust and mold. Still, keeping the yard clean requires plenty of time, something of which I have plenty right now.  

Winterizing around here eats hours. I have to lug all the pool furniture to the basement and to a small outbuilding. I cover the pump and other waterlines that might freeze during the winter. Amy always likes to sit on the screened porch in the cold weather, so the propane tank for the fire pit needs to be filled, and the heating lamp bulb needs to be working. Reels must be put in the dry after hoses have been drained.  

Projects inside are keeping me busy as well. I decided to paint my office. My son Dallas had a five-gallon bucket left from sprucing up his condo. The green walls in my room were covered in marks, and a coat of gray paint spruced the place up. I cut in the baseboard on my hands and knees and climbed a ladder to paint around the ceiling. The room looked nice with the contrasting white woodwork.  

I was going to paint my bathroom with the same color until Amy stepped in. She suggested that a bathroom that was smaller than a closet need a lighter color. Yes ma’am! I found some white paint and poured about a half-gallon in the gray bucket. After some mixing, the gray was much lighter, and I began the painting process. In a bathroom, painting behind a sink and toilet and above the shower stall requires a contortionist. More clean-up of paint drips and drabs are required. I finished and liked the results, regardless of what others thought. 

The problem with all this “virus-work” is that an old body suffers. My arthritic hands ache. Joints creak and pop, and sore muscles throb. The most upsetting part of all is realizing how difficult getting up from the ground or floor has become. I found it necessary get a chair or the ladder to push up and get to my feet. After cleaning up the equipment, I took a bath and sat down on the couch. Before long, I’d dozed off and felt as if all my strength had disappeared. 

For a million reasons, I hope this pandemic is conquered before long. One of the biggest reasons is that I want to hop in the car and go somewhere that doesn’t involve any kind of work. I might just go to stores and simply walk around and look for hours. With winter coming, my lists of projects will increase, but my desire to complete them will dwindle.  

PUPPIES AND CHILDREN

 Lately, I’ve put a great deal of thought into puppies and small children. I’m not sure if this mental activity is the result of my advancing age or if I’m returning to my past youth. Still, who doesn’t like...puppies? Unfortunately, I know plenty of folks who aren’t such fans of small humans. At any rate, I’ve been thinking and watching both groups for a while.  

A passel of puppies produces smiles on our faces. They love to play from the first days of life. A litter piles on top of each other and roots for food. No sooner are their eyes open than they begin games with brothers and sisters.  

After they’ve been adopted by some loving family, those small fur balls annoy humans until they give up and play. Some younger dogs find ultimate joy in chasing a thrown ball or stick; others find more excitement in wrestling matches with their humans. A few are much more content lying on their backs and having someone rub bellies.  

Because pups need plenty of exercise and socialization, owners take them to dog parks. There they are able to play with other K-9's of every variety. While a pup might be skittish around bigger dogs, in only a matter of time, it joins the pack at the park and plays and runs and growls and barks with the best of them. Some play is rough, and occasionally, a yip can be heard, but rarely does another dog intentionally hurt a pup.  Anger, distrust, or hatred are foreign to pups. They love everyone and every dog with whom they have contact. No dog ever refuses to play with a dog of a different color or breed. 

Small children are also precious creature who are fun to watch. Left to their own devices, meaning that parents stay out of the way, little guys and girls will fall into play with little effort. Oh, sometimes an argument arises over a toy that two children want, but for the most part, toddlers instinctively know now to play together. Leaders aren’t assigned by gender; either boy or girl can be “it.” The lead roles in games are taken usually by the children who suggest the game in the first place. All children are welcomed into the group. The more the merrier is the philosophy for them. No one is excluded because of skin color, gender, or economic status. 

I, for one, am disgusted with the inequalities between races and social classes. It’s time we adults learned from puppies and children how to get along. They teach us that the color of another’s skin or fur and the amount of money or type of background are irrelevant. We are all God’s people; we were created by Him in His own image. To say otherwise is to deny the existence of a loving and wise God and to reject the teachings of His son. Let’s try to mend the wounds that have so long caused so much pain. Instead, let’s be determined that all God’s children’s lives are important. “Red and yellow black and white, they are precious in his sight.” Do you remember that song from childhood? How old were you when you learned it? Did you forget what it means?  

We have much work to do. It should be done collectively. The chance to reunite this country and its people exists, but only if you and I play together like puppies and children. 

SOUNDS OF SPORTS

 Sports made a return to our lives not long ago. A collective sigh could almost be heard echoing from coast to coast. We Americans love our teams and crave seeing them on screens or in stadiums or courts. This year’s edition of sports is unusual and difficult for some to get used to. 

Baseball is America’s sport. That’s been the slogan for years. Yes, many will stay that football has now taken that position, but for some of us, baseball is still king. Although fans are upset that they can’t attend games, I like the new setting. The only unappealing things are the cardboard characters that fill the seats. The purity of the game comes through. A 90-mile-an-hour fastball makes a wonderful pop as it slaps the leather of a catcher’s glove. When a hitter catches a pitch with the sweet spot of a bat, that distinctive sound announces the departure of a baseball to the upper deck of the stadium. 

I enjoy the sound of voices from the field. The ump’s calling balls and strikes add color to the game. Managers yelling from the dugout to shift players in the field or encourage a pitcher or batter increases the excitement of the game. Players have always talked with each other during games, but actually catching a bit of the conversation allows us to understand that many are friends, not diehard enemies, of players on the other team. Reverberating swear words as a hitter strikes out or hits into a double play, while not pleasant for networks, show us that that athletes are intense competitors who want to always be perfect.  

Football also gives us a new experience during this pandemic. Professional games are played in empty stadiums. The players don’t seem to suffer too much from the absence of fans. When the ball is put into play, all athletes demonstrate their unique skills with thrilling catches and pounding runs. Hearing quarterbacks call out cadences or audibles gives fans a feeling that they are closer to the action. The cracking of pads when tackles are made remind some of their glory days when they played high school or little league games.  

One time when I wish the sounds weren’t so clear is when a player is injured. The scream from the pain or the sobbing at the realization that the season is over sobers even the most avid fan. Neither do I like hearing the taunting and trash talking between players. Most often, that yammering can be heard between receivers and defensive backs. I’d much rather hear some good-natured teasing that ends with smiles or nods. That could do much more in teaching young players how to behave as players.  

Golf is better when viewers can hear the discussions between players and their caddies or the chit-chat between players. The distinctive sounds of a booming drive or a solid iron shot indicates that the ball is headed toward a minute white hole located on a stamp-size green. Groans let audiences know that wayward shot will explode scorecards. A deafening cheer at a par-three hole alerts all that a hole-in-one has occurred.  

After months of staying at home, we need some sports to help ease anxiety and boredom. If this pandemic continues and closes these loved sports, Americans will have to find places with their families where they can make their own sounds from the crack of bats, the smack of leather, and the thump of a kicked football. We can survive this time without sports. Yes, that will be difficult, but if we do what the science tells us to do, we can ensure that sports will return next year. Hang in there!