Early voting began today in Florida. It will last eight days as compared to the sixteen days under the former Republican Governor Crist, who was shunned by his party because he extended voting hours as well and because he greeted President Obama graciously when he visited. The current governor, Rick Scott, a Republican, has an unfavorable rating and I hope we vote him out. He is not up for re-election this cycle. He is sleaze personified. Crist is now an independent and sat with President Obama at a recent event.

Ed and I got up at 5 this morning because we wanted to be at the early voting venue by 7 a.m. when the doors open. But when we got there at about 7:12, there was already a long line. We stood in line for 2 hours – actually I sat on the concrete walkway protected by an overhang and did ballet stretches. I avoided making eye contact – who me, my attitude said, I am normal – you’re the weirdos – don’t you ever flex? Helpful poll workers would come around and offer to let me sit inside on a chair but I always said “I’m fine” and “give one of those chairs to an old person”.
Even if we had been there, say, at 5 or 6, there would still have been a two-plus hour wait because we would then be waiting for the doors to open.

We needed a photo I.D. One thing about living in a community that has one bus operated sporadically by a paraplegic from Alabama, is that even poor people have cars so they have drivers’ licenses. Eat your heart out Governor Scott.

When we left, the line had extended into the parking lot – no lessening of voters and more coming in all the time. I hope this is a sign of vigor for the Democrats.

We got home about 10, an hour late for Brunzy’s med. We gave him his phenobarbitol, then Ed had an egg sandwich and I had my missed cereal and soon I will lie down because it was indeed an ordeal, but well worth it.

xx, Teal