An Unexpected Election Win
for Donald J. Trump

I passed my boss, Dr. Stewart, and his Administrative Assistant, Kathy Stegman, on my way home at 3:30 on Election Day.  I said something like, "I've got to get home and start drinking before the results come in!"  Ross roared with laughter.

Ever since the 1964 presidential election, I have stayed up late to watch the national election results.  This year, I watched with great amusement as ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS news professionals all passed through stages of hope, confusion, doubt, and resignation as their long- prepared-for outcome did not come to pass.

In fact, I was prepared to watch an evening of Democratic rejoicing even as the polls had tightened in the days leading up to the final vote.  I voted by mail on November 3rd. 

I started Election Night with one light beer, but put down five shots of 92 proof spiced rum as the evening dragged on without a victor being announced.  But finally, around 3:00 AM EST, (midnight our time), Hillary Clinton conceded the election -- even before some of the TV pundits called the election for Trump.  Not surprisingly, I slept well!

The truth is, I voted for Donald Trump after all, knowing, 1) my vote was meaningless as the State of Washington was sure to go for Mrs. Clinton, and 2) many of the attacks on Trump in the final weeks before the election were both desperate and baseless.  I could not vote for Hillary Clinton, a candidate who's policies I detested and whose behavior had repeatedly risen to the level of high crimes.

Christianity Today led with this on the day after the election.  “Exit polls suggest that "Never Trump" was never a likely outcome for white evangelical voters, who showed up to support President-elect Donald Trump at their highest margin since 2004. Despite reservations expressed by many evangelical and Republican leaders, white born-again/evangelical Christians cast their ballots for the controversial real estate mogul-turned-politician at an 81 percent to 16 percent margin over Hillary Clinton.”

Nancy was one of those evangelical voters who also voted for Donald Trump.  Neither candidate presented believable faith testimonies, although both tried, and both came across therefore as hypocritical in the extreme.

As a Republican PCO (precinct committee officer), Nancy was on the phones to her neighbors well into the late afternoon on election day.  I stayed out of her way.  She was the last to vote, driving her ballot over to the drop box at the Bellevue Library on the night of the election.

So far, I like what I'm seeing with the makeup of the Trump transition team and his other early moves.  It's too bad the other side are such sore losers.

Getting a Better Night's Sleep

Rethinking Our Family's Future

Nathanael moved to Renton on the 5th and Cynthia and her family brought up furniture on the 11th.  Certainly we would have been happy to donate furniture, but their place is only a one-bedroom apartment and we could fill it up in an instant.  Nate walks to Lindbergh High School but has his car in Renton to use for shopping, church, and to get to SPU once a week.  He has chosen to slow his degree program, stretching it out at least another year. 

Apparently, with Nathanael gone, Annie and Thomas have discussed moving back in with us, once they are no longer needed at Susan's house to help care for Ginger.  While this came as a surprise, it was not an unwelcomed one.  Our huge house needs people, and making it their home too might encourage us to FINALLY get the junk cleared our and get the various rooms finished.  And it would shorten Annie's commute at least 15 minutes.

Jean does not expect to move out unless she were to be employed far away or she got married.  That event is not on the horizon.  But then, that was the case with Nancy on September 13, 1980.  Six months later, on March 14, 1981, she was a bride.

I'm content to rule my 9'x8' corner of the family room (my 1st floor office), enjoy hot showers, and putter and work in my basement cave.  Alas, it reminds me of the person I was when these words were heard on the radio in 1966, "I have my books / And my poetry to protect me; / I am shielded in my armor, / Hiding in my room, safe within my womb. / I touch no one and no one touches me. / I am a rock, I am an island. / And a rock feels no pain; / And an island never cries."

Select Images of Jean from Her October Performances in Fahrenheit 451 with the Edmonds Driftwood Players. 

Jean Makes

Professional Moves

Jean has become a member of the Fern Theatre acting company.  She is exited with the prospect of having regular roles in this troupe which specializes in Shakespeare.  The Fern Theatre has just relocated from Atlanta, GA.

But before that opportunity bears fruit, she has a November-December gig as a Jingle Belle Dancer at Bellevue's Snowflake Lane nightly celebration.