A New President!

Last night with fellow Taosenos and democrats I sat around a big screen TV in the home of Dinah and Seymour(friends of my landlady's, Cindy)and watched Pennsylvania, and then Ohio be announced as projected winners for Barack Obama, the new President elect for the United States. Earlier in the week I had received phone calls from my daughters, 25 and 26, that they had voted (democrat, of course); my younger, daughter, Jenn, admitted that she didn't vote in the last election but was really motivated to do so in this one. I have to say that I was pleased - feeling that I had raised them right - of course, there would have been no less love if they voted for McCain - maybe just a little doubt about their judgment and wisdom. Actually I had been a fan of Hillary in the primaries; she was the one that I really wanted to see elected initially; however, I do now believe that Obama is the right choice at this time both for the nation as well as internationally. Maybe we have a chance of repairing our reputation overseas and propelling the world toward a more peaceful one... It was really inspirational to hear how other countries see us and are inspired by our democracy - especially in those areas where people are imprisoned, kidnapped and often murdered for their opinion.

And it does go without saying that to have the first black president elected in my lifetime is really a thrill; next time maybe it will be a woman. I am old enough to remember the Civil Rights movement, the riots and racial discrimination (still present but progressively weakening). I am also heartened to listen to the post election analysis say that race played a very small factor in the election and that Obama's support was nation wide. I can't say that I would want to be him in the coming months and years - he has inherited an overflowing plateful of issues, crises and challenges.

It is a delight to live in a town that is so heavily democratic and like-minded; not that differences aren't stimulating and necessary but I must say I felt more than a little pride when I learned that both NH and NM had favored Obama in the election. Colorado, too, where Jenn lives - but alas no hope for Wyoming where Erin is (although hopefully at least Jackson Hole voted in favor of Obama)....

Today's another writing day and it's cloudy, yesterday it even rained for about 15 minutes and there is actually a winter storm advisory for the area today. I woke up to 37 degrees but of course it feels more like 50 - 55 for me. There is snow in the mtns surrounding the town but I haven't seen any on the ground yet....