A day that began cold and damp ended up being rather pleasant, at least inside it was. This morning I left home about 10:15 to catch my ride to a political meeting being held downtown. A lady who will become a friend offered a ride to me since I was/am reluctant to drive around the area where the meeting is being held. I must be getting old or something---I don't trust my abilities to navigate the twists and turns of the south riverbank. I just don't like it!
My driver, whom I will call Francis, lives on the property and I made it easier for her to find me by walking over to The Club. She said to look for her brown Oldsmobile (ahem, it was a Chevrolet!). I was at first concerned but found I need not be, as she monthly makes this trip to attend the meeting of this group, belonging to both Clay and Duval Federations. At the registration table, four ladies were in place to get us signed in and paid for. As this one lady searched her sheets for my name, another from the end of the table called out to me. When I looked up, surprised, she said, "See? I told you I'd remember you!" I had met her at Orien's funeral reception and she had arranged my reservation.
We got there early and found a place to sit, using a banquet room double what they usually use. Before I left, Justin encouraged me to take a can of soda along in my purse, "just in case", and I am so glad I did. A nice waiter brought me a glass with ice in it so I didn't deface the beautifully dressed table with my soda can. The meetings held at The Club allow me to have Diet Coke (membership has its privileges!) but this place, being a hotel, did not offer alternatives to the water, coffee, and iced tea.
The speakers were the big draw for this meeting, attracting many more people than a normal meeting. Unfortunately, the speakers were stuck in Philadelphia, having had three flights cancelled on them, no one willing to rent them a car (fear of having them banged up or abandoned on the freeways), and no train service to get them to FL.
The good news was that they were able to send their slide presentation and notes via the Internet. There was a man in the group who has written extensively on this subject as well ("What Really Happened in Benghazi" was the subject matter) who stepped up to read their notes, pronounce the difficult names and cities, and offer his insights into the discussion.
While I tried to absorb as much information as was presented, it was a struggle to soak it all in. I would have loved to have some handouts but that was not provided to us. Several people running for office from our area were there, many of whom were retired military folks, and to a person spoke of the mixture of emotions that flowed when listening to this presentation.
The woman that I am helping to get signatures for, Glo Smith, was there, and even remembered me from the meeting where she spoke at our group last month. How cool is that? When introduced, she nearly got a standing ovation as she is going head to head against a very difficult incumbant who really needs to go!
My driver, Francis, was quite an interesting lady. She had served years ago in the State legislature in the same seat that Travis now occupies. She is no stranger to the sausage-making in politics, and has a long history in the political arena. The woman who was originally to give me a ride, Judy, said that this lady would be a delight to get to know, and she was right! I love getting acquainted with more of my neighbors, even though they are on the "other" side of the property! And, we drove home in the sunshine, which was most, most welcome!
