October 15, 2022 Election Day

It was municipal election day in British Columbia. A day when people in the cities and towns throughout the province went to the polls and elected their local leaders. In my previous life, I may have run for office in this election. 

In this life, I’m not ready.

I am trying to find my way and write my story first. Part of that journey involves getting my body in shape so I can run period. I wish running didn’t hurt so much. 

It is day ten without alcohol. I’m happy I’ve managed to resist the temptation. It’s crazy how many things in life revolve around having a drink. I’m glad they invented near-beer so I can still feel like I am being sociable without having actual alcohol. 

The exercise piece of my thirty-day challenge has been somewhat successful but with family in town, I have let it slip somewhat. The other vices I am trying to quit I have met with mixed results. Does this mean I have failed the thirty-day challenge already?

I think if I can stay completely away from alcohol that is a victory. The late-night snacks have been a challenge especially when I fell off the no-weed wagon. Still, no drinking is pretty good and the rest will come. 

Will I lose 10 pounds? I have lost three already so if I keep up that pace I am on track to lose nine. I just need to stay focused and not let the pains and aches in my body cause me to falter.

Five hundred words a day has been tough with my brother and his four little kids running loose in my house. I guess I will have to set a longer-term goal for that one.

Can you imagine having four kids under the age of seven? And they all live in a three-bedroom house, in the middle of the woods, practically off the grid. I was proud of my daughter for entertaining these rambunctious toddlers for a couple of days. 

Kid energy is very amazing and these four kids have it in spades. My brother may not have a lot of money but his family sure has a lot of love. I was filled with their love while they were here, but after only a few days I was tired. I imagine having them full-time would be exhausting.

Yet one hundred years ago many families were larger than four. My Dad’s family had six siblings. It was the norm back then, you needed that many kids just to run the farm. It’s no wonder parents were so strict back then – you had to be to survive. If people had let their kids run wild chaos would ensue and nothing would get done.

I digress from my rambling, I think it is a result of being around all the kids for the last few days. It is a constant head-spinning moment when distractions take over. 

I began writing about the municipal elections and I will end with them. In West Kelowna, I went to vote and could only choose four of the six candidates I was supposed to elect. I didn’t know enough about what they stood for to make an educated selection. In Kelowna ten people were running for eight seats on council and Six for mayor which ended with a new Mayor, Tom Dyas, being elected. In West Kelowna, We had thirteen people running for six seats, yet only two for mayor. The people of West Kelowna re-elected all the incumbents and welcomed two new faces to the table. 

No wonder so many writers drink, it calms the scattered mind. So if you read today’s blog you may be just as confused as I am and that’s ok… Have a great week!