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Blogs by mary Y hirsch
A True Test of Patriotism 10/18/2020 12:07:54 PM
Defying all of my buddy, Dr. Fauci's instructions to remain in seclusion (which I have, thus far), early voting in person got me out only to find the polling place cosed! Holy Cow! What are the odds of my breaking my own rules about "hunkering in" 100% with a couple of absolutely necessary exceptions like crack-of-dawn senior grocery shopping and a doctor's appointment with all due precautions? Voting; voting! Early voting - in person - no less!
So after having girded my loins and donning not only a mask but a shield, gloves, alcohol spray and my "Covid Kit," I venture out along with John, my 94-year-old neighbor who's been waiting for months for this momentous occasion: early voting at Boston's City Hall.
Only to find out that latest bulletin on the computer made an error and the voting at City Hall starts tomorrow. If you are a die-hard Red Sox fan, you can always schlepp to Fenway Field and join the thousands who are already in line because this is a first-of-a-kind event at Fenway and incredibly successful. We passed on that...
Instead, my dear friend held on to me (and I to him) as we headed back the mile (at least) walk, jay walking and dodging cars because he was so upset. When cars would honk, this little, old man would give them the middle finger and I would get the verbal abuse for...what? Accompanying him? Holding him up?
Finally, I was able to persuade him to take a walk break and sit on a big planter, allthewhile appealing to his great sense of humor and trying to divert his well justified anger. "There's always tomorrow, John," I'd say, City Hall will, for sure, be open at 9:00AM and we have all day if I decide to venture out instead of sending in my ballot.
We'll see; in the meantime, he's decided he is going to call the Mayor's office - or the Mayor himself, because Boston's Mayor, a recovering alcoholic, gives out his cell phone number to any AA people who need support and reassurance. My friend John hasn't touched a drop in 30 or 40 years but he feels he qualifies because, today, of all days, he's so upset he's ready to hit the bottle!
