23 Days to Election

Wake up.  Slap on Sticker.  Always the same.  Wear Sticker everyday.  Children notice when Sticker not on their mother.  Today have big events - pumpkin patch and grocery store.  Exciting.

Head to pumpkin patch.  Walking with children (and pushing stroller) into pumpkin patch.  Thinking very much about Sticker and perceptions and race and the race.  See Obama/Biden sticker on vehicle.  No other stickers anywhere.  Feeling conspicuous, as if wearing Sticker politicizing everything Sticker-wearer does.  What others think of Sticker-wearer?  What preconceived notions lurking in heads?  Which ones true?  Notice Sticker-wearer thinks/ponders same of others.  See families playing around hay stacks.  Climbing.  Jumping.  Sitting on pumpkins.  Posing for cameras.  Much laughter.  Much happiness.  Hay rides.  Carousel.  Bounce houses.  Vibrant kids everywhere.  Talk to other parents while watching kids play.  Breaking glass to friendliness seems harder with Sticker on shirt.  Not sure care too much.

Find self wondering about friends and politics.  Is sharing political leanings necessary?  Not sharing, as in discuss.  Sharing as in agree.  How much of personal politics shapes how parent and see world?  Remember quote from Sarah Jessica Parker.  Said "we're all mothers and can all agree on many things that are important".  True.  Can agree on that.  Then what?  One side of pendulum believe government needs to play role in all important matters.  Right side says leave government out.  Smaller government better.  How do perspectives change how mother?  How parent?  How live daily lives? 

Is it borne out in how respond to daily issues?  One side more incline to blame others or self for mishaps?  Overdrawn checkbook.  Scary traffic moment.  Drop something in store.  Everyone now blame others?  Nothing anyone's fault anymore.  Or, does one side more likely to take personal responsibility?  This perspective of outside blame not simply about daily grind, wonder if also perspective on bail out?

Many things to ponder.  Pay for pumpkins.  Leave.  Lunch.  Then to grocery store.

At grocery store.  Completely forget wearing Sticker.  Completely.  Focusing on shepherding three children through store while accumulating necessary goods for week ahead.  Very pleasant day at store.  Had no idea store full of Senior Citizens at noon on Mondays.  Excellent time to shop.  Quiet.  Friendly.  All very nice to family.  Stop in front of bread display.  Need two loaves for week.  Sticker-wearer laughing with boys.  Biggest boy asks for Mom's cold hands on neck.  Boy shrieks with laughter.  Notice blocking aisle.  Apologize.  Elderly woman smiles and says, "enjoy your children".  Smile.  Say thank you.  Wonder if older generation generally kinder?  Not in big hurry.  Wonder as leave if Sticker noticed?  Agree with politics?  Or simply more tolerant?  More aware of shifts in time, so not as excited?  Even notice Sticker?  Either way, very nice store trip.

Home for remainder of day.  Lovely.