the best sticker ever

every four or so years i am reverted back to childhood and the reward of getting stickers for a job well done.....I VOTED

today as i cast my vote in the florida primary, i was looking around at the various people that were there with me.....from democrat to republican to the young and the old....and thought
-look how far we have come, from the people who are voting to the people that are running
-how technology has changed voting for those that remember the paper ballots, as i stand and watch the older generation a little baffled by the electronic voting booths, and relieved that there are people there to show them the ropes
-knowing that in some small way this is a way we can all have a say, and i wish more people would take advantage of that

and knowing that everyone gets a sticker at the end, no matter who you voted for! the best sticker ever is the sticker that you see on those proud (often too few) americans that take the time to get to their local polling stations.

Parlor Chatter

On a sunny friday afternoon, as i sat in my local ice cream parlor, treating my nieces and nephew to a little treat i couldn't help but over hear the ramblings of a group of tween boys, in their fresh new basketball shoes,as they discussed the upcoming election and the prospective candidates

as their cell phone equipped chaperon sat in the corner with her ear plugged with some other conversation- this teenage wisdom filled the air.........

"obama"- probably won't be it because his name is hard to spell
"hillary"- no one would elect her, because she is just a girl
"i like romney"
and that " mc cain guy aint bad either"

a fountain of wisdom?
reason to fear the future?

what to think of impressionable young minds think that girls are icky and spelling is too difficult?
on the bright side, i am vaguely hopeful in that they actually KNEW there were candidates and felt FREE enough to have their own political caucus amongst their sundaes with rainbow sprinkles and ice cream floats with whip cream on top.

Did you know?

My lack of recent study of geography and my niece's inquisitive mind culminated in my one new fact for the day......

Until today, I had no idea that 193 (not counting Taiwan) or 194 (counting Taiwan) is the number of countries currently in the world.

up to date

2008!

i realize that it has been forever since i have written about my wondering....but mind you, that it does not mean it has been forever since i have wandered.

over the past few months, i have been keeping myself busy with work and travel- i have been to a few new places and visited a few old haunts......ithaca for a binky thanksgiving being one of my favorite memories from my recent trip and a stop over in wilmington, nc that proved to be more beautiful and inspiring than i ever imagined. from sunrise walks on the beach to the boardwalk along the river basin, to the cobblestone streets and quaint coffee shops and bars- a place that seemed to remind me of somewhere familiar but at the same time all being completely new.

a side trip to atlanta was a nice addition to my return back to florida. i got the chance to see a small portion of that city that really is amazing....you can see the new money right along side the old southern money, framing the olympic torch and the city poor that shack up along exit ramps to the interstate....a city that is so architecturally diverse from one section to the next. the rolling hills of buckhead mini mansions to the margaret mitchell house nestled between the modern skyscrapers of the city....it is definitely a city that has been put on the "must see again" list.

this january looks to have me locked into a florida address for a little bit-doing the less wandering and a lot more wondering....