A Layer of Fog

Election Day at the Town Hall.  We had 11 voters come but only 3 could vote.   After the last census, the County Board and County Clerk in their 'infinite wisdom' had split off parts of our rural town into three wards.  The only ward having a primary today consists of five complete towns to the north of us  and  a small corner of our town.  The paper mentioned the towns that would be part of the primary today.   It did not explain that in our town you had to live in an area bounded by Imalone Road, Bennor Road, County Road H, and State Highway 40: roughly 25 people.   That's how we got more people come in than could vote.   I'm very grateful that the people we turned away understood what was going on and didn't accuse us of something sinister like election tampering.   The poll workers knew it would be a slow day so they brought other things to do.  I brought my computer. Had  Planning Commission tasks to complete before next week's meeting.  I thought it wouldn't take long but didn't finish until late in the afternoon.   The Town Clerk arrived  when we closed the polls.  She's just back from a cruise where she picked up a cold.  The bathroom in her house is being remodeled and she had her regular job to go to today.   I offered to take the ballots and other voting materials in to the county tomorrow for her.  She didn't put up a fuss.   I considered writing a letter to the paper's editor about how splitting up a municipality into small pieces has disenfranchised it's voters.  However, it's five years before there is another census and the wards can be redrawn.  Doubt anyone reading my letter now would stay riled up that long - but I can.  

Jigsaw Puzzle

Today is all warmth (well ... might have hit 50) and sunshine. People are smiling and saying how springlike it feels.   Tomorrow things change - cloudy, rainy/snow.  Tomorrow is also election day here.  Even though it's the smallest one the town is likely to ever have, need to do all of the usual prep.

• Moved Whip's bed, water and food bowls to the foyer.  Put up the baby gate so I can cut off the foyer/garage from the rest of the house.  Wouldn't have to do that if the cat's hadn't figured out how to use the doggie door to get outside.
• Picked out what I'll wear and laid it out.  Polls open at 7 so need to get going early.   Also packed a small bag w/ extra jeans, socks, and a sweater.  I'll be at the polls all day.  I've had elections where I spilled coffee down my blouse and helped push a voter out of a mud hole.  It pays to be prepared.
• Bopped over to the County Seat to pick up something for tomorrow's breakfast (latte and cherry scone), snacks (cheese, nuts, and dried cranberries), and lunch/supper (a spicy Italian wrap cut in two).  Picked up bottled water (the water at the town hall is barely potable) and I'm all set.
• Checked that car the isn't low on gas.  Put in my bag of extra clothes, food, and stuff to do during lulls in voting.
• Chief Inspector Andy and I met at the town hall and spent a half hour setting up for the election.  There was a wedding celebration at the town hall over the weekend so couldn't do it when we did the Public Test. The tabulator w/ it's security tabs already applied had been locked in the office.  

Now just need to get to bed early. 

Morning light off the snow pack

Excerpts from the Sheriff's Report:

4:43 a.m. - Caller reports his daughter was in the house and the boyfriend was on the street shining a spotlight through the windows.  Boyfriend wants to be transported somewhere.

8:41 a.m. - Caller reporting someone knocking on his door.  Caller states it was an unknown male dressed in all black.  Deputy told caller this is not a crime and if they return ask them why they are there instead of calling the police.  

11:52 a.m. - Caller reports there is a vehicle driving east bound on the snowmobile trails.  Trail groomer recently groomed the trail.  No signs of a motor vehicle driving on trail.

1:13 p.m. - Caller concerned about snowmobiles speeding down the road.  States there was almost an accident last week as he was leaving his house.  Snowmobile route goes across his driveway and continues on through the ditch.  Complainant is worried he may back into a snowmobile or that one will hit him as he backs out of his drive.  Complainant was reminded he has to yield right-of-way to all motorized traffic on the road including snowmobiles.

2:27 p.m. - Nearby county police officer asking for a deputy to make contact with an individual who has been harassing the lawyer in a recent child custody case.  Is refusing to take officer's phone calls.  Individual needs to be told to cease any and all contact with attorney and his office.  Individual appears to be a religious zealot and caution is advised.  Officer found tracks near house, can hear music inside residence, but individual would not answer the door.

3.23 p.m. - Caller reporting three cows on the road.  Deputy declared cows won the game of hide and seek.  He was unable to locate.

5:09 p.m. - 911 call from IPhone satellite emergency relay station reporting a possible accident.  They could not get a response from the number.  Deputy checked area and did not locate anyone.  Call from female stating her phone fell out of her saddle bag and was run over.

7:57 p.m. - Laundromat reporting a homeless woman sleeping on the sofa.  Owner would like her removed.  Officer spoke with female who was eating her dinner on the couch.  She stated she will be in town for another two months saving money to go back to Colorado.  After officer told her laundromat owner wanted her to move along, she asked if she could finish eating her dinner before going back out in the cold.  She agreed she would move on and not return to sleep on couch.

9:37 p.m. - Caller states her mom threw her cat outside and now it's limping.  Also stated her mother has been living there for a month and she doesn't want her there anymore.  Informed that homeowner would have to go through proper eviction process.  Also determined the cat hurt itself climbing on objects in the home.  Mom stated she is afraid of homeowner and his past with abusing women.  Stated she is not afraid to hit a man if he starts it.  Mom spent the night separate from homeowner to prevent further problems.

10:25 p..m. - Caller reporting two males outside her door wanting to get into her house and use her phone because they are lost.  She is not feeling safe.  Officers directed to McDonald's parking lot and found two individuals there.  Males are minors not from around here.  They were trying to access wifi of residences so they could call their parents due to not being allowed to stay the night at their friend's house  Juveniles could not reach parents.  Officer contacted a nearby county sheriff to send deputies to get in contact with parents.  Shortly the mom of one of the juveniles called back.  She is going to pick up her kid and drop the other at his residence.

Dear Valentine deer

I had a small glass dessert cup of strawberries and whipped cream w/ breakfast.  My homage to Valentines Day.  (Plus it's delicious.)  I made chili for dinner.  Fairly certain chili is not traditional for the holiday - that would probably be a nice meal out of filet mignon.   Instead of  a steak, I opted for 'a stake' by curling up on the couch and watching Svengoolie air the original 'Dracula'.  Friend Kathy and I text back and forth during 'Sven' movies.  She felt the movie is apropos for the holiday - lots a necks get nuzzled and it's a good bet Drac doesn't have garlic on his breath.

Amaryllis

Yesterday got above freezing and looks like we are going to have a string of days that do the same.  A corridor of bare gravel has opened up on my driveway.  I have to be careful in some spots but Whip and I are back to having a morning constitutional.  Much to her delight, I've also caved to her desire to walk first, feed birds after.  

Can tell there is a change in the weather at the bird feeders too.  Last month it was goldfinches scolding and chickadees thanking me when I filled the feeders.  No birds this morning plus there were seeds left over from yesterday.  Warmer weather either means they don't have to eat as much or their usual food sources can peak up out of the snow.   

Whip has a dead prize that she feels the need to move every day to a new hiding place.  The ground is frozen but she buries it in snowdrifts.   I'm hoping some traveling-through coyote finds it before the snow is gone and Whip wants to bring it inside.

Stopped by the library with the largest opening plastic bag I could find.  It a-l-m-o-s-t fit the book drop cart but not enough to be useable.  My plan B is a box.  I brought a box almost the same size as the inside of the drop box and placed it on the platform.   That seems to work.  Shoved some small books into the book drop.  They all fell inside the box.  Have a plan C also but will wait to see how plan B goes.

One of the amaryllis I thought would bloom over Valentines.  It's the first time this clone of the main amaryllis has put up a stalk w/ buds but they still remain closed.   This is a pic of another clone that bloomed earlier.

Variegated Sunrise

A lady came into the library tonight and said she had put six books in our book drop but they were still showing as checked out to her on her on-line account.  Two were now overdue.  I said I would check for them in the stacks.  We've had times where volunteers bypassed checking a book back in before putting it back on the shelf.  Easy enough to do if someone brings the books in from the drop and puts them on the distribution cart instead of on the counter.  Librarian Trevor was standing nearby and asked if they were children's books.  "Yes."  the lady said, "Some Board Books and some Early Readers."  Those are thin books and Trevor said he'd check the book drop she'd used.  Trevor came back from the book drop w/ the cart that is enclosed inside the drop box.  There is a bouncy platform inside the cart that breaks the books fall plus goes down to allow more room as more books are added.  Trevor could see that there was a book that had slid under the platform and was in the bottom of the cart.   I pressed down on one side of the platform allowing enough of a gap that Trevor could fish out the book.  We tipped the cart again and another book appeared.  All six of her books had slid under the platform.  There is a rough fabric covering to the bottom of the platform so books shouldn't skid around.  The slit around the edge of the platform is very thin.  I'm surprised one book would go through it, much less six.  My idea for a fix is to treat the inside of the book drop cart like a kitchen garbage bin.   Will put a construction sized garbage bag around the top.  The bag will be a covering over the slit and expand as more books are added.  Best of all it's a cheap solution - provided, of course, it works.

Deer at the salt lick

Psalm 90 says we have three score and ten years upon the earth - maybe four score.  This last year I read obits for three people in my high school graduating class.   Figured while I still have some money and haven't yet lost my faculties I should set up my funeral.  I bopped down and had a meeting this morning w/ the funeral director in town.   I'd read up on pre-paying options but got his take on the pros and cons.  Then we went through what I would want included in a funeral.  He chuckled when he was going over container options and I asked if he didn't have something more recyclable.  Yes!  He does!  Anyway, didn't take very long to get everything on paper.  I commented that it was an easy process and he replied it was since I knew what I wanted.   It was also much less expensive than I thought (cardboard isn't as pricey as mahogany).  I bopped over to the bank and everything is setup and paid for.    I can also write my obituary and pick readings & songs - just e-mail them to him and he'll put them in my file.    Think I will wait on those.  At the moment I'm liking the song "Sloop John B".   Either I need to give this process more gravitas or I'm too late on the 'losing my faculties'.

Jigsaw Puzzle

One of those days where I kept busy but bounced between tasks all day: a little time on taxes, on working on a jigsaw puzzle, on cleaning, on folding clothes, on reading a book, etc.  Whenever I did sit down there was a pet that wanted attention (they may all be suffering from cabin fever).  So I didn't get anything accomplished today.  Did manage to get a lot of things almost done though.

White Birch in Winter

 

Excerpts from the Sheriff's Report:

1:29 a.m. - Call from concerned wife.  She and her husband have been arguing all night.  He is intoxicated and set a chair on fire.  Upon officer arrival he observed a chair near the residence smoldering which he moved further away from house.  Extremely intoxicated male in question stated relationship issues made him upset.  He stated he poured rubbing alcohol on chair and started it on fire.  He didn't care if the house started on fire.  Female stated she got upset because male nearly tipped his drink over several times so she dumped it in the sink.  An argument occurred and the male flipped a coffee table over and set the chair on fire.  Male placed under arrest for criminal damage to property with domestic abuse enhancer.

6:54 a.m. - Female reporting male has been screaming at her and children.  Nothing physical.  Two officers responded.  Female started to scream at a child and two adults screamed at each other.  Parties were asked to separate for awhile.  Parties were warned further law enforcement action could be taken if they have to come back.

8:09 a.m. - Reporting party states daughter is refusing to go to school.  Deputy called the parent who complained her teenage daughter wouldn't get out of bed so she poured a pitcher of water onto the bed to get her out of it.  Child now yelling and being disrespectful.  The parent also said the child hit her in the stomach a few days ago.  DHHS had given parent some options that she would have to pay for.  Parent wasn't willing to pay for juvenile detention of some sort or respite care.  Deputy offered to go to the house and interview the child but parent said the child would just lie.  When deputy asked parent what she wants him to do she disconnected.  Deputy called parent back.  She said she doesn't want law enforcement anymore because he wasn't willing to help.  Deputy referred problem to DHHS.

9:24 a.m. - Caller requests deputy help with traffic control for a funeral procession.  The horse-drawn hearse to be flanked by individuals on horseback from Mud Lake to the Island Lake church.  Traffic blocked for about 15 minutes.

10:45 a.m. - Caller reporting a female wearing pajama pants and a sweatshirt walking on highway heading east.  Deputy in contact with female who was going to walk from her house to Kwik Trip (14 miles).  Juvenile said her mother knew she had left home but deputy was unable to speak with mother as she didn't answer phone.  DHHS contact.  They agreed that juvenile should either be taken home or to school.  Deputy escorted juvenile to main office of school.  Deputy at family's residence.  Mother believed juvenile left the house to go to school.  Mother wants police and DHHS to do her parenting job.  It was explained that this is her responsibility.  Mother kicked deputy out of her house.

2:24 p.m. - Caller states his neighbor contacted him about a male riding a snowmobile on caller's property.  Caller is out of country - did not give permission to anyone to be on his property and has several no trespassing signs around driveways.  Neighbor identified snowmobile driver who was contacted by law enforcement.  Told the land owner didn't give him permission which he understood.

3:41 p.m. - Traffic stop for wheels extending past the fender by more than two inches.  Driver exited vehicle and was hostile and argumentative.  Driver stated several times he was being harassed and hated police because they are only trying to make money off him.  He refused to provide proof of insurance and told deputy to just issue the citations because deputy was wasting his time.  Citations to be mailed to avoid further disruption at the business he pulled into after being signaled to stop.

5:03 p.m. - Call regarding child exchange matter.  Issue is related to parties having a no-contact order and figuring out who can drop off child.  Dispatch advised everyone they need to grow up and figure it out.  

6:55 p.m. - Caller requests to speak with city officer about tax fraud.  Reporting party stated her mother is claiming her children as a dependent on her taxes.  Likely a civil issue.  Officer recommended she submit a tip to the IRS for them to investigate.

8:23 p.m. - Vehicle parked in the lane of travel with no lights on.  Deputy detected smell of marijuana.  Probable cause search of vehicle revealed two glass smoking devices that smelled of marijuana, a glass jar with raw plant residue, and a prescription bottle with the incorrect medication inside.  All items were seized and destroyed.  Due to a more pressing call, the driver was released with warnings for illegal parking, possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cleaning up under the bird feeders

Bopped down to the Town Hall this morning for the Public Test of the voting machine.  We need to test the machine to make sure the ballot is loaded correctly.  Then we mark up some ballots and throw them through the machine and check what the tally is to make sure it's registering correctly.    That test is open to the public if they want to watch but in all of the year's I've been here we've never had anyone come.  Sometimes people do show up for other reasons.  Treasurer Michelle walked in during the test.  It's the end of collecting property taxes and she has a lot of paperwork to do.  She still found time to fill out a ballot for us.  She filled in the second circle on the ballot because she liked the name.  She doesn't know the candidates nor does she live in their district.  Chief Inspector Andy took note and asked how people will know there even is an election.  He's the fourth person in the last 48 hours to ask me the same question.  There is only one county board seat on the ballot in a district covering parts of six towns.  A sample ballot and a notice of the Public Tests was in this week's newspaper.  I assume a short writeup of the three candidates along with a notice of polling place addresses plus the hours they will be open will be next week's newspaper.  Other than that I don't know how people will know to vote.   There will be some people who come in to vote just because they see the flag is out on the town hall.    The County only put the names of voters in the poll book that live in the contested district.  Our poll books this time have 6 double sided pages - some w/ just a name or two on a page.  We will know who can/can not vote in this election even if a voter isn't sure.  The County Clerk's new aide may have printed the poll books because the backside of each page is printed upside down.  I noticed this irregularity during the Public Test but Andy and I figured w/ such a small number of voters we wouldn't insist the County Clerk's office print new poll books for us.

Blitzen and Dunder

 I didn't get started early enough for my shift at the library.  It was already 20 minutes after 3 p.m. when I left the house.  Stopped at the gas station for a paper (wanted to see that the Public Test was at the correct date/time).  Then up the block to get a coffee that would keep me alert during my shift.  Owner Bob was standing out front on his phone.  As I went to pass him he stepped in front of me.  I figured he probably wants to talk w/ me so I stopped.  He ended his call and gave me an apologetic smile.  "Fifteen kids from the school just walked in there."  he said.  I knew that meant it would be an incredibly long delay as they ordered complicated specialty drinks w/ extra sprinkles, flirted w/ the person behind them in line, and checked their pockets to see if they had enough change to pay.  Bob quickly went on.  "If you will tell me what you want I'll make it and get it to you immediately."  Works for me.  I told him I wanted a large plain hot latte and he went to work.  I stood over to the side and watched the line of teens do exactly what I expected and smiled.  At that age I didn't even like coffee yet.  Plus I would have been on the bus ruding home.  These must be village kids or maybe old enough to drive.  Bob handed me the latte and I handed him a large bill.  "Give the extra to your workers." I said.  "They are earning it."  Bob glanced toward his young baristas and agreed.  I picked up my mail and walked into the library 15 minutes before my shift starts.  Gotta remember while school is in session to do these errands earlier in the day.

A Band of Color

It was already after noon when I got a call from the town clerk.  The company that maintains our vote tabulators had a team at the County Court House.  They were running logic checkups and other tests on all of the machines today.   Our tabulator was locked in at the town hall and the town clerk was in a training session for her job.  Could I take the machine over and get it serviced today?  Sure.  She was on lunch break so she swung by my house to give me her string of keys.  I had tried to comb my hair but it can be unruly in the winter.  I pulled a knit cap over it, flung on my winter coat. and bopped down to the town hall.  The machine was still atop the ballot bin and it's very heavy.  I managed to remove it, snug it into the carrying case, and was wondering how I'd lift it into the back of my car when the door opened and Town Treasurer Michelle walked in.  Thankfully she helped me heft the thing into the car and I was off.  Gravity gave me the assist I needed in removing the tabulator from the back of my car and bringing it to the County Clerk's office.  The guys checking out the machine were very polite and nerds.  Fortunately, I'm fluent in nerd and while they worked I got answers to some questions I had about the machine.   I also asked the clerk's aide if the County Clerk had put us down for a Saturday Public Test in the notice that should be in the paper this week.  The aide didn't know anything about the rules around elections or if there was a notice put in the paper.  Didn't fill me w/ confidence but she texted the County Clerk and I had answers by the time I left.  Best of all the aide was nice enough to hoist the tabulator into the back of my car.    At the Town Hall I managed to actually get the machine back atop the ballot box and plug it in.   I'd also picked up all of the ballots and other paperwork for the upcoming election at the County Clerk's office.   Before I left the Town Hall I went into the office and took the extra set of building keys.  Texted the Town Clerk that the tabulator was back at the town hall, I had the election paperwork and the extra set of keys, and she could pick up her keys from my house whenever she had the time.

Sunset Colors

As the news announced that Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night had died, their song 'Joy to the World' played in the background.  Brought back memories of my first year of college.  I went to Cedarville Baptist Bible College in Cedarville Ohio.  I liked College President Dr. James Jeremiah but the college had many, many rules governing student behavior.  I learned quickly from my roommates ways to bend/break rules which we felt were too restrictive.  The ban on rock music was often just ignored and 'Joy to the World' in particular could be heard on the quad or in the dorm corredors. I'm sure it was a fav because it starts w/ Negron belting out  "Jeremiah was a bullfrog..."

Jigsaw Puzzle

Had one of the best panini sandwich and latte that I've ever tasted this morning.  I picked them up at the Toad House and their food and coffee is really good.   Of course, the reason I was over in the County Seat was because I had a blood draw at the clinic so had been fasting for 16 hours.  Plus being told you can't eat kinda makes you all the more hungry - or is that just me?