Sylvia's Journal

Yesterday was Groundhog Day. The ‘marmot’ Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow in the presence of thousands of people. This means there will be six more weeks of winter in 2008. For us in Manchester it was a mild and windy day, with a faint promise of this distant spring in the air. The amaryllis and Paper Whites are showing their buds, no longer Christmas flowers but harbingers of the new growing season instead.

We decided to combine our civic duty with our physical duty by walking downtown to participate in the Manchester Democratic Committee Caucus. This was my first experience in the American democratic process at its most grassy roots. It was also my first participation in a caucus, a process that mystified me. On the way into town we passed a cluster of Obama campaigners standing with signs and buttons in front of the Manchester Post Office. We supported the cause by handing out home baked cookies and holding a sign for a little while before going on to the Town Hall for the caucus.

In a real grass roots election, including a stump speech, Axel was elected to be delegate to the Massachusetts State Convention in June. He won hands down (10 to 6) in a tight field of two.

After the delegates were chosen we got to the political part of the meeting to which Independents were admitted. We listened to the Obama and Hillary people making pitches for their candidates. The Obama people were very present with their signs and stickers. The Hillary people were not. As a newbie to the American political process I experienced its power of engagement. A few of us spoke about why this or that candidate. This will be my first presential election as an American citizen. My first voting experience was in the race for Massachusetts Governor and there I picked a winner. I am planning to do so again. It was fun. I could get into this.

The rest of the day I spent sorting out the huge pile of bills and receipts that we have accumulated since July 14 and balancing ‘the crash books.’ I sent off a thick stack of receipts to the plane insurance company with the faint and probably unrealistic hope that it will pay for things the health insurance disallowed. Since we had already written all this off it can only be good.

Today, after Quaker Meeting we will drive to Orange, MA to see Tim Bowers and his family. Tim was probably the first responder on July 14. He and his family were picking blueberries when we came crashing down. It scared the wits out of him but he stayed with us and held my hand until professional help arrived. We did not see Tim on October 14 because the trauma was still too raw. Recently we have started to talk and email which led to this invitation.