That thing we do.

 I voted on a Saturday, in case I couldn't get out to the polling place on Election Day, which is today.

For the first time since I moved here, there was a line.  Also one for voting from your car.  But the line was polite and friendly enough and moved reasonably quickly.  I was number 11,100 at our polling station, and a worker said it was the busiest one in the county.  A report later that week said that the turnout was the highest of the last three midterms.

As it happened, I had a meeting today at a building that is a polling place, and they had a frame for people to use.  I explained that I had voted earlier, to make sure I'd been able to do so (one worker said that was smart) but they insisted I get a photo.

Book bans all month.

October began with the annual Banned Books Week, and ends with authors of banned and restricted books suing school boards in Texas over these actions.  According to a PEN America report, not only is Texas the state with the most school book bans, but the rate is almost double what it was in the previous year, and the highest since PEN America began tracking.

My opinion about book bans is that they should be kept in the family, not in the libraries.  Police what your children read, but you don't get to police what is available to or read by other children - anymore than you should be deciding when and how they are punished, or what their catechism should be.

Marigolds for October

Almost skidding to the end of this month, but not quite:

Lots of flowers in the pieces this month, plus a butterfly.

Which echoes the image itself.

I am thinking about what I should do next year.  I almost bought a paint-by-numbers calendar, but the images were less rich than I wanted, very flat.  I thought of buying some kits and painting one per month, but that doesn't seem quite right.  I need to start planning, it's almost November.

That thing we do.

T-shirt from Woot.

I have not lived here long, so I have not voted in many elections.  The first was the Presidential one two years ago (and the primaries, same year) and there were no lines at the polling places.  Today, the line was almost out to the "no electioneering beyond this point" signs when I arrived, and past them when I left.  I was recorded as Voter #11,100 - two years ago, I was maybe in the 3,000s.  Obviously people are Wanting To Voice Their Opinions, and using the democratic way to do so.

The line was friendly, the day sunny and warm, and I knit four rounds on a hat while I waited.

A taste of autumn.

 Some days at the conference, I walked a lot:

I was part of a group doing morning walks, and then all the walking to sessions and the vendor hall, and from and to my hotel, and sometimes in the evening at or between events......  It adds up quickly!

I was happy to see the glowing reds and greens of autumn, and didn't take many photos as I was driving and didn't want to keep pulling over.  I do have a few shots, and lots of memories.

Near Birdhouse Coffee, where I met a friend to catch up and
have a light late lunch/early supper.

A friend told me about a showing of "The Librarians" and I went; I'd seen a preliminary partial cut, and enjoyed the full documentary, very appropriate during Banned Books Week 2026.

I also saw a play, which I recommend to anybody.  As we lose the survivors, we must keep their stories alive.  #NeverForget.

 

I was able to see some friends, and both of my rabbis, and enjoyed being in-person for worship and Torah Study.  I stayed at a farmhouse, got to see some of the sheep, and was able to relax and sleep between work and visiting people.

Not like the movie.

This trip has involved planes (two, because of a connection through BWI), trains (two, again because of a connection, plus one for the return trip), and automobiles (technically, two were buses) because I came into Boston early so I had time to visit friends before a conference began.  Not at all like the movie, and had we thought ahead supper might have involved a sunset cruise, but instead a friend and I enjoyed some photograph-worthy ice cream.

September's alternative flower.

It seemed appropriate to put this one together on a "September Morn".

I pulled out the special pieces and they are nearest to
the puzzle box.  Turns out, I missed one!

When I put together the puzzle, I found this little bird.

In case you are wondering, while aster is usually identified as the flower for September, morning glories are a recognized alternative.