Mundane and Momentous

 

Relatively speaking, several items on my schedule yesterday would be considered mundane---at least on this momentous morning when we are anticipating the election of the 46th President of the United States.

Still, cooking up a new batch of applesauce to go with the others I've prepared during this fall gives me comfort.  

I'll have plenty to share and enough to complement winter meals with pork chops, steaks or ham. 

Nothing better than a side dish of cold homemade AND chunky applesauce. 

On another outdoor front, my field grooming for the winter is almost complete. 

Like that applesauce winter supply, I love the satisfaction that comes with circling those fields on the tractor as the brush hog chops up the dead grass and provides an even playing field for early spring grass. 

Plus, the fields look a lot prettier.

Much more pre-winter work lies ahead, however, with brush hogging and with my lawnmower as yesterday's rain and blowing leaves left a whole new thick carpet of dead leaves yesterday. 

Hopefully, I can pick up most of those leaves today IF I can draw myself away from the television set. 

This could be a day of significant history, regardless of political party.  

The American democracy has worked, and a monumental number of voters have spoken with their ballots. 

I've never been a fan of Donald Trump, but I will hand it to him.  He, indeed, brought out the vote in 2020. 

This indicates that most Americans still believe passionately in preserving and utilizing our form of government.

I sincerely hope that we can move forward from this day.  

I also hope that, as the days go by, we can put the past behind and gradually inch our way back toward collaborating on common goals and re-igniting a united belief in America.  

Granted, throughout the history of this nation, none of our Presidents have been perfect human beings.  

That said, I do believe that Joe Biden, with experience and his calm, empathetic manner, along with his team, will work tirelessly to inspire us to respect and maybe even starting liking each other again as Americans. 

Sometimes that specific goal is more important than any issue on the books. During my career as an educator, I have personally witnessed the welcome catharctic relief when bitter acrimony fueled by one individual was almost instantly extinguished. 

Whenever I've seen this happen, people were able back to functioning again. 

Once an improved sense of trust and mutual respect is established, may we all feel both emboldened and comfortable in taking on our passionate issues and even figuratively duking it out, armed with a collective spirit that still leaves us as friends.

That's America.   

Finally, on to another momentous subject that should start occupying and cleansing our weary post-election minds. 

This morning the following was released.  

CBS Sports Pre-season rankings

Matt Norlander

1. Villanova

2. Gonzaga: Mark Few is sitting on 599 career wins, so it's safe to say the 57-year-old is as eager as anyone in his profession to get this season going.

 Given how good a team he has this season, it's understandable. There's Corey Kispert, who's a CBS Sports preseason First-Teamer.

 There's Jalen Suggs, a top-10 prospect in the Class of 2020 and the highest-rated recruit in Gonzaga's history. There's Joel Ayayi, who was good enough last season to warrant poking around the NBA pre-draft process. 

Gonzaga also has sophomore Drew Timmie, a power forward teeming with potential to the point where his ceiling this season is top-25 player in college hoops. Best offense in the sport, potentially. 

My colleague Gary Parrish has the Zags No. 1 in his rankings. I don't agree fully, but the margin between the Bulldogs and Villanova is miniscule. 

GO, ZAGS!

~~~

Readers seemed to like the music of Patrick Dexter yesterday, so why not another sample. 

On this morning, I'd like to dedicate the song to my teaching colleague Monica Beaudoin, who recently passed away.

Monica devoted her long career to teaching civics, to supporting the teaching profession and representing our area as a state legislator.

Condolences to her beloved husband Ken.  

RIP, Monica.