Monday, November 06, 2006

Things Are A Little Weird Here

I need to write tonight because there is an election tomorrow. I have never missed an election since I hit the age where I could legally vote. I used to go to the polls with my mother, and she let me pull the lever on her choices, as she explained that voting was her responsibility as a citizen. When there was an election coming, we would discuss election issues at the dinner table for months before the election, before the primaries. Now, I will admit, I got my parents point of view. Didn't last long.

My father had a sister who lived in New York City. She was married to a man who sold furniture in a department store. They were down visiting at a time when New York City was not doing well. The citizens of New York felt that they deserved a break on their Federal taxes, because it cost so much to live in New York. Certainly, the citizens of New York weren't getting back all the money they were putting into the Federal government. I was now a taxpayer and i felt like I ought to have something to say about that, so I did. I asked, "Do you get defended by the military like the rest of us? Do you get food trucked to you on the Interstate Highway System? You are serviced by three airports, all staffed by Federal Air Traffic Controllers. What do you want to give up?" That's when the screaming started. My parent's generation had the attitude that they didn't have to be right, they were our elders, and were to be respected. I am not good at respecting nonsense. This doesn't make me perfect, trust me, my wife has a list you wouldn't believe. But when I'm wrong, i wave the flag early so we can move on. BTW, they are still angry at me in New York, the ones that are still alive. I am not a nice person, you got it from me first. It's better that way, trust me on this. President Ford handled it much better than I did.

So what's the moral to this Election Eve Story? Turn off the TV, and stop listening to the infinite analysis. The War, The Economy, Immigration are probably the big three issues in this election. Where you sit and your situation determine the weight of these issues to you. Please think for yourself, please make that a habit from now on, decide what is best for you, and look at the candidates. Vote for the one that most closely represents your thinking. There isn't going to be a good match.

How are we going to get a better country? We need to let the local representatives from both parties know how unhappy we are with both the people they are running and the campaigns they are waging. Then we need to get our friends to do the same things. I am really fortunate in that I live in a small town so close to the Nation's Capitol. I know really wonderful Democrats and Republicans. People who really care about the country, and feel that they have a better way to run it. The brains of these outfits really want to do good, but they are not electable. Therein lies the problem, and it is us. American men no longer read books and American women read fiction. We get our information from places like TV and the computer. if you read everything I am writing, you are in the extreme minority. And thank you very much. Clearly my blog is not the answer. But, the answer is out there.

Last, my cat Holmes. Holmes is 18, and her kidneys are failing along with her thyroid. We simply don't tell her. When she would get a bladder infection, we would fight it with an antibiotic. Her stomach would be upset, and we'd get some Tums into her, and she'd start eating. It's been four days now, and she isn't eating or drinking. We got her into the vet today, and she got fluids, vitamins in the fluids, antibiotics, and I started breathing again.

She ate a tiny amount earlier today, but not enough to make a difference. At her heaviest, she weighed 11 pounds. Her average weight was 7 pounds. Today, she weighed 4 pounds. Holmes still gets up, and walks around. she still talks to the animals outside, and she still has the drive to live. When that is gone, I will be time. Among the rights that she has is the right to die with dignity. I guarantee you she will be in my arms, and not alone when the time comes, no matter what.

So, as this post clearly demonstrates, my publishing is not exactly predictable. I apologize for that, but it needs to be a little wierd around here for a while. Thank you.

17 comments:

MonkeyLover said...

I hate losing loved ones, pets included, especially the watching them suffer.

And I will vote, even though I have no faith it matters right now. But if you ever need a write in candidate, I'm your girl :)

Crankster said...

I'm sorry to hear about Holmes. From her age, I'd guess that she's been a very important part of your life for a long time. She's lucky to have such a good owner.

Take care of her--and of yourself.

Best,

Crankster

mist1 said...

Kiss Holmes.

Anonymous said...

thank goodness today is election day.

and i hope that through the evening Holmes has regained some of her appetite! give her a squeeze (gently) from me.

PhoenixHearse said...

Prayers for Holmes.

Glamourpuss said...

Are you Holmes's Watson? Lucky puss.

And a really ignorant question - why is it the Capitol and not the capital?

Puss

Cindy said...

I will be very tense all day. For many, many reasons, least not of which is the republican buzz around the office.

Nuzzle that kitty for me.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Holmes. Kiss her for me.

cmhl said...

thinking of Holmes, and you & the better half. Such a hard thing..

The CEO said...

Not an ignorant question at all Puss, it is called the Capitol which is short for Capitol Hill, where the Capitol Buildings are located that house the Congress. There are entries in Wikipedia, Answers.com, etc that go into much greater depth. It's the kind of thing a local like me knows.

The CEO said...

Watson was Holmes' sister, and she died of stomach cancer almost three years ago.

Holmes is at the vet's now, and will go back every other day this week, until she either makes progress, or doesn't make any effort.

Voting is very heavy both in Maryland and across the Nation. We will be voting after lunch during the after lunch lull. We both have our sample ballots marketed up, and we are ready to roll, although we are still fighting over the question on the ballot about limiting civil trials under $2500 to judges only. Really, what do you need to empanel a jury for for that amount? Isn't that a small claim? Can't you clear some of my courts of some of the crap out there, please. Wait, I'm not arguing with you guys.

Eris said...

I lost both Henry and Elizabeth at the same time. I'm sorry about your kitty.

The CEO said...

I appreciate all of the kind things you all have written. I'll write more tomorrow. We have an appointment with the actual vet on Thursday at 10:00 am, and Holmes will get more fluids and vitamins then.

In the meantime, I guess I should start trying to think of 9 unusual or weird things about myself. I guess I'll have to do what Crankster did, and ask my wife, because really, I'm just your average guy.

Glamourpuss said...

Ta for clarification. Will investigate in an effort to broaden my knowledge of your arcane land...

Puss

Rose Ghost said...

That last part apart Holmes really moved me. At least you know her last days will be happy and full of love.

The CEO said...

Thanks for stopping by Ghostrose, and I do hope to see you again. And please, keep writing.

Echomouse said...

I'm so sorry I haven't been here. Just read the later post that Holmes is doing better but this must have been a heart wrenching time for you. {{HUG}}