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Here in the United States, it is general election day and on this particular year it’s one full of divisiveness, anger, and even hatred.  So, I thought I’d throw out some cuteness today on my blog post as a little counterbalance.

I made this photo of this unknown little girl from across a lake, in a public park, with my zoom lens at its maximum reach (200mm.)  Her father was only one step out of the frame and a few seconds later gathered her up away from the water’s edge.  But that look on her face…pure joy! :-)

So if you haven’t voted yet, be sure and VOTE today.   Vote like your life depends upon your choice, because it does, and so does hers.  Also, remember to be patient. This is probably going to be a long process.

11 Comments

  1. It sure would be nice if this next couple of weeks could be “normal” but I think we’ve learned enough over the past 4 years that isn’t probable.

    I already voted mid-October , but I might drive around to see how things are going. There have been early voting lines of 2-4 hours all week in our city. If anything, the turnout this year is going to hopefully be a record.

    • We mailed out ballots back in early October and tracked they’d been received and recorded. I’m hoping the considerable early voting percentage is a sign of good things. Still, even if it goes the way I’m hoping, Biden, of course, the next three months will probably be anything but “normal” as Trump kicks and screams like a big baby about how unfair it all is. But maybe he’ll surprise me and show some dignity. Ha, slim to none chance of that. :-)

      I can’t even make myself think about Trump winning. 😱

  2. I love this young ladies smile, also. There is joy in those eyes.

    I voted the day after I received my ballot. Had no problem making my selection, either! I’ve been thinking about how I will live my life because I believe this country needs someone who has ethics and morals that focus on the people. So, you know who I voted for.

    • For almost half of the country, it seems ethics and morals are a very low priority, Monte. Maybe it’s indicative of our age that for us they still count a great deal? It’s the morning after and it’s not looking very good.

  3. I keep my thumbs pressed for all of you, all of us!

    • Good to hear from you, Markus. I hope you and yours are doing well, and thanks for your thoughts. I’m sad to report the election results aren’t looking very good at the moment but there’s still a slim chance for a change in U.S. Presidents. Forever hopeful! Still, for the second time in four years, I’m embarrassed for my country. I’ve never had to admit that before. :-(

      • Thanks for asking, Earl: all three kids are in the university (all in Berlin), so the flat has become quite empty – but I quickly adapted to this new situation just as to 100% teleworking due to the pandemic. For some weeks my hometown was the No. 1 hotspot in Germany, but due to a (lightweight) lockdown the situation has improved. We all try to stay safe.

        Re. the election: this was a narrow escape from inevitable doom – and it still not materialized! So I keep my fingers crossed that the change will take place (and Mitch McConnell’s position be swept away in January)

  4. Yep, it’s going to be a rough couple of days, Earl. It’s amazing how close some of these “swing states” seem to be. Like you, I think, I went to bed a bit depressed last night. Didn’t sleep well, either. I kept thinking, “Can nearly half of all Americans be this dumb? Do they know what they’re inflicting on themselves (not to mention the rest of us)?” And, like you, wondering how in hell this could be happening again. But there’s still a reasonably good chance that Biden wins. We can only hope…..

    • I guess my hopes were too high, Paul. I’d hoped for a convincing win in the presidential race as well as capturing the Senate. Now, if it does turn out to be a win for Biden it will be a squeaker and there doesn’t seem to have been any repercussions for Trump’s enablers in the Senate. So, it’s obviously a “Yes” answer to your question. Nearly half of all Americans can be this dumb. Not only to vote him in once but then to come back and try to do it again after nearly four years of daily witnessing Trump’s incompetence and dishonesty. I think that realization hurts most of all.

      Certainly, I’ll never believe another political poll. They’re less reliable than even weather predictions.

      Good to hear from you. I hope you folks are all well.

  5. Yes, “that realization hurts most of all”. Especially when some of those voters are friends and family. People you love and respect. But you walk away scratching your head. The overall result is we have a 50 – 50 split (across the country) of people who literally can’t communicate with one another. Somehow that has to be addressed. And resolved.

    Still gritting my teeth as the vote count slowly rolls in. Also, the Senate might still be in play – if a minor miracle occurs!

    As a statistician the polling prior to the election baffles me, just as it did in 2016. But it was generally correct in 2018. Does Trump have to be on the ballot for Republican voters to be undercounted? Do they not answer pollers? Do they lie? I don’t get it. The critical assumption in polling is “equal and complete coverage”. If you get that, the results should be valid. For whatever reason, it’s not happening with Trump. I’ll leave it to people smarter than I am to figure it out.

    • I wonder if there would be a sizable change in the number of voters who vote for Trump if it wasn’t a secret ballot. Would some of these people be shamed if others knew they supported a compulsive lier and a crook for president? I don’t know!