Wednesday, November 9, 2016

City Views, Country Dreams

Good afternoon from New York.

I would like to share some photographs I took yesterday morning.


My polling place is located in an elementary school that is just a short walk around the corner. 


I waited until about 11 a.m. to vote, in order to avoid the crowds that would have been queueing up before going to work earlier in the day.


Note that another attraction was the bake sale, held to raise funds for the school.


There was still quite a long queue waiting to vote, since this polling place is shared by three Election Districts.  Everything was well organized.


When you reach the front of the queue, you check in with the Poll Worker, and sign the log book that bears an image of your original voter registration at that location.


You are then given a long ballot sheet enclosed in a folder, and make your way to a little desk where with a provided pen, you mark your choices.  Then you join another queue and feed your paper ballot into a voting machine that scans your ballot.  Then you have voted!

As I made my way out of the Polling Place room, I saw that plenty of folks were still in the hallway waiting to vote.


Next on my agenda was the Bake Sale.  There were numerous tables filled with home baked treats.  Little girls "manned" the tables, explaining the pricing, which items contained nuts or gluten and so forth.


I bought pin wheel cookies and chocolate chip filled blondies.


When I left the school and continued on my neighborhood walk, I noticed many other folks wearing stickers like the one I had been given.  We smiled at each other.


Back at home, I made lunch, and painted a few more Christmas tea cup cards and then took a nap.  I woke up in time to fix supper and then began to watch televised election coverage, and also stayed in touch with an election night chat room on The New York Times website.

By 8 p.m., it was clear to me that the polls were very wrong.  Not only with respect to the Presidential race, but also the Senate and House of Representative races.

A NYC friend and I began trading emails just before midnight.  Neither of us were huge fans of Hillary Clinton, but felt that Donald Trump was beyond the pale.

I tried to go to sleep about 12:30, but didn't actually get any sleep until well after 2 a.m.  

Now it is a new day.  In January, our President and the two houses of Congress will be controlled by a single party.  Voters who felt fear and anger have been victorious.  No one can truly guess what will unfold.  Financial markets seem to have recovered their overnight swoon.

I do feel tired, numb and a bit scared, but have also just finished doing my weekly laundry.  It is time to make a tuna sandwich for lunch.

Thank you all for your visits and comments.  It's good to have this place to record these recent memories.


52 comments:

  1. Thanks for walking us through the voting process...and the cake sale! But did you just vote for president? There seemed to be other things going on as well.

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    1. You are correct. On my ballot, I also chose judges, Senator, House Representative, and a State official.

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  2. I wish you and your country all the luck in the world

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    1. We are entering uncharted territories. How will DT handle his current vastly-complicated business interests, will he give up his revenge urges, will the Republican Congressional majority actually put forward legislation that dismantles "ObamaCare," will DT listen to anyone? Who will he appoint to his cabinet. When will his supporters figure out the con? Just for starters.
      Thank you for your wishes. xo

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  3. People over here are also pretty stunned by your election news Frances. But as you say - we shall just have to hope that many of our fears are unfounded.

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    1. You know Pat, I still have some difficulty believing that Reagan was elected...twice.
      xo

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  4. The cake sale was a very good idea. You and your fellow countrymen will live.

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    1. I will be making those blondies disappear later this evening. Rachel, it's the Supreme Court appointments that will allow Trump lasting influence. The Congressional Republicans have refused to even consider Obama's appointee to the seat made available by Scalia's death. So, the Court's been having 4-4 tie votes. There are some old Justices that I imagine won't be around for the next four years, so it's quite likely that the new President might be able to have quite a legacy.

      Ahh, but those home baked blondies are going to be delicious. xo

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  5. In shock and depressed here too, Frances. It's very hard to believe that so many have been swayed by a rhetoric of hatred and prejudice. Thank you for the interesting glimpse into the voting process.

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    1. I think that Trump needs attention, and found an audience who were also looking for attention.
      Hoping I sleep better tonight. xo

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  6. 'will DT listen to anyone?'
    I have my doubts Frances. I'm not sure how any woman could vote for someone who plainly has no respect for females, is racist and very unpleasant.

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    1. No evidence of listening, unless it is a voice praising him.
      I've seen quite a few female Trump supporters interviewed (and may even have some in my family) but I do wonder about them. xo

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  7. Thank you Frances for your calm and thoughtful report on a very trying day. I'm trying to keep fearful thoughts at bay, but it's mighty hard.

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    1. I appreciate your comment Carol. It's difficult to know what our future holds...yesterday proved it.

      I was weary when I woke up this morning, and am looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight. xo

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  8. It is out of our hands till the next election comes in 2 years. I can only hope for the best.
    You and my friend Norma wrote the best next day post. I love your "I Voted" sticker.
    Both parties made the huge mistake of overlooking the fed-up people who live in Middle America and the South West. We are tired of being talked AT and forgotten except at tax time from the extreme liberal East and West Coasts.
    But I must say I am very shocked at the Trump win.
    So smart to have a bake sale I love the sweet helpers. You live in a wonderful city.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. I actually think that the parties didn't pay much attention to fed-up people in the "media cities" either. The Bernie Sanders campaign was listening. I'm hoping that more and more people will get involved at some level of participation. xo

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  9. It's interesting to see your polling stations and the inspired Bake Sale which I'm sure was a great success. In the U.K. News the significance of the other elected roles gets little mention. We've had a political earthquake on both sides of the Atlantic. Your thoughts and summary are very level, what's needed to steer through a storm.

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    1. Thanks Celia! I did try to be a good reporter. I can now report that I slept very well last night.
      xo

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  10. I honestly don't think you should worry overly. All US Presidents are watched very closely by their aides and others. I quite expect that certain foreign 'leaders' will keep him in check too.

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    1. Hoping that you are right. (I was a fan of the Yes, Minister program.) It is a bit worrying to see which political men gathered around Trump during the campaign. I do appreciate your comment.

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  11. We have entered an unbelievable nightmare world.
    50 per cent of American voters have been swayed by the false promises of a man with serious mental illness. This had been a banner year for stupid. See Brexit. The thoughtless unkind people are winning and I am in despair and full of grief.
    This catastrophe is up there with the attacks of 9/11 and the consequences probably more far reaching.
    I see no glimmer of hope.
    I am in despair for the country's future.
    Were it not for the many many lovely Americans I would leave immediately.
    SAD SAD SAD

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    1. I'm looking forward to getting together with you to talk about the new normal that is arriving. Rosetta Stone keeps sending me messages about special French language special offers for folks who plan to move to Canada! xo

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  12. I couldn't believe it would happen again, but it has. Deeply worrying but all we can do is see how events unfold now and keep positive.

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    1. I imagine that today's visit by Mr and Mrs Trump to the Obamas at the White House will be a sobering experience.
      xo

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  13. Disaster strikes yet life goes on. As it did and does for you and us after Brexit. It is like a slap in the face when democracy goes so badly wrong but we must accept it.

    The only thing I simply find impossible to understand is how campaigns can be so nasty. with so many lies, and once they’re over everything goes back to normal as if all the lies had been so much confetti to be swept up.

    I hope your days remain calm and pleasant and your routines will not be seriously interrupted.

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    1. The shock that Donald Trump will be sworn in as President in January will take a while to absorb.
      The recent campaign seemed endless, and also disgusting. So many issues never got mentioned in between all the hurled insults.
      This afternoon I went to see the film Dr Strange and found the script amusing, the visuals dazzling and the notion of a team of heroes fight dark forces appealing. xo

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  14. I can only echo the thoughts and concerns of our friends previous comments, we are all in a state of shock. Time will tell, keep on keeping on. X

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    1. I think I heard someone say that this will be the first time since the 1920s that one political party will have such control of the Federal Government. Interesting times ahead and all that sort of thing. xo

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  15. Dear Frances, the only thing I can say right now is: just keep calm and carry on.
    We will be celebrating Armistice tomorrow and that is reality. Greetings from Belgium, Anke (just back from the UK after 11 hours trip).

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    1. Thanks so much Anke, for taking time to leave a comment when I know you must be tired. I barely slept on the night that the election results were counted. Caught up on my rest last night.
      Based on his history of escaping from difficult situations in his "business" resume, I think that Mr Trump is in for a difficult four years. Staying the course and all that. And...what is going to happen to his supposed billion dollar interests while he is busy being president.
      So many questions, so few answers. xo

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  16. We have followed the vote here in Sweden...I wonder how your country will be next year...be calm and carry on Frances! Beautiful pictures anyway and still autumn there, lovely.
    Here we have a white and snowy winterland...
    Love from Titti

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Titti. We will just have to take things a day at a time, trying to accent the positive...while staying aware and informed.
      I would love to see your winterland! xo

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  17. Trump is a loose cannon he may now that he has won become liberal,that would be the ultimate back slap to the small brained non internationalist people that made him powerful.

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    1. Perhaps. But he's got Mr Pence to keep him in line. Vice Presidents can be quite powerful.

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    2. It's getting even better as it appears that Trump's family will have been given control of his business affairs (some blind trust!)while advising him on his government appointees ,wow!

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    3. How can this be legal? What other surprises are in store?

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  18. Numb is the way I've been feeling. And afraid for all people of color, immigrants, LGBT, Muslim, etc. A terrifying time, just now, with bigots of all stripes feeling empowered.

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    1. Dear Vicki, although I am not totally surprised by the Presidential election results, it's the idea of the Republicans in total power that really upsets any balance that has existed during my lifetime. And, as you know, I am no longer young. xo

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  19. Hello Frances, I do feel for you with all the uncertainty in the air. It seems that on both sides of the Atlantic politics is based on agression and attack. Please keep on with your lovely blog of daily life, apples and tea cups - keeps us all sane. Thank you June

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    1. Thank you, June. These city views will definitely continue, allowing me to share some of New York.

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  20. Helo...I read with interest your post,I see all different from Italy you really want to vote here a lot of people don't vote we are very tired of our government we will have a referendum in december for change or not...but return to you..nice with photoes we came to vote with you...lovely idea from children with cakes!!Your new President...realy strange a not good man with atomic bombs in his hands for my opinion...I don t like Hilary as person...we ll see and hope in good for all World!!!Big kiss to you and happy week end in NY

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    1. It's good to read your comment from Italy, Gabri. I think that about half of the registered voters in the States did not vote on Tuesday. It was good to be in the midst of lots of folks at my polling place who wanted to exercise their right to vote.
      It would be incredible to actually be able to chat with you about all this, but being able to trade comments in blogland is also good. It helps me to have more understanding of the rest of the world beyond my neighborhood. xo

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  21. HI Frances, I've been reading your blog now for a while, and am so grateful for the insight you give us into life in NYC.
    Such a difficult time for you all now, we really do feel for you. Everyone I know here (UK) is just shocked and stunned, though we can almost believe anything is possible after Brexit. Of course there are also massive implications for all of us, as well as those for you. We will just have to wait and see how things unfold over the next few weeks and months.

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    1. Thanks for your comment. I think that things have already begun to unfold. Stay tuned.

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  22. These are scary times but we have to carry on and keep hope that things will work out, whilst each doing our bit.

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  23. It was a very special day...not only for the USA but for the whole world. In the netherlands it was on every TV station and in every newspaper. Let's hope for the best.

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    1. Thank you, Jolanda, for sending this message all the way from the Netherlands. What began last Tuesday will have many ripples. xo

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  24. Hi Frances, I for one, am optimistic about the country. I believe the media spent an overt amount of press distorting, lying, and misleading the public into a state of fear and depression. It is unwarranted and it is not the end of the world. I believe we may have the makings of a good president here. I say we should at least give the guy a chance before predicting doom and gloom.

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    1. Jeri, I appreciate your comment and do hope that Donald Trump's election won't bring the end of the world. I guess it's just having seen his history here in NYC that makes me worry about what will happen. xo

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  25. I'm so glad I have found your blog! You are living the kind of life I've dreamt of having forever. I will have to experience through you as I'm 65, live in a small town in WI (pop.1300!) and will probably never get to see NYC and definitely will not experience London. You are the me I wanted to be when I was in my twenties and so I very much look forward to reading all your past entries. Carry on, Frances, I'm counting on you. Dianne

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