"It was imprudent of us, in the first place, to become authors. We could have become something regular, but we managed not to.
We were lucky, but we were also determined." Roy Blount Jr

"I don’t change the facts to enhance the drama. I think of it the other way round, the drama has got to fit the facts,
and it’s your job as a writer to find the shape in real life."
Hilary Mantel

Saturday, May 17, 2008

In & Out

Thursday's picture: rhododendron at State House



The House of Reps was back in session on Thursday at 10 a.m. The numbers were low, eventually we lost our quorum, meaning everything had to pass by a 2/3 supermajority. We didn't have that many bills, and yet proceedings were complicated and occasionally contentious and we didn't get out till 5 p.m. But we met our deadline to act upon all our Senate bills. (The Senate was in session till about 2 a.m. They passed the boating speed limit bill!)

Friday's picture: Demolition of former nursing home on Merrimack County Nursing Home campus




Yesterday morning I had a County Delegation meeting at the new County Nursing home building. The magnificent facility is now occupied--when I was there for its opening, it had no residents. And was surrounded by near-historic feet of snow! For a few minutes I stood at the edge of the parking lot, watching the fascinating demolition of the old building--it was chomped to bits.

All the Reps in our delegation were exhausted after two full days of legislating. We had a quorum and thus were able to approve the salary adjustments for elected county officials and speedily adjourned. Those who hadn't toured the nursing home were able to do so.

I took a mental health break afterwards, stopping at the nearest nursery and purchasing pots of basil, perennial poppies, stock, snapdragons, verbena, and delphiniums.

Then I tried to go capital-S Shopping. I went to numerous shops but couldn't find anything worth wearing or owning.

I had my mandolin lesson.

In the evening, the Chap and I attended a political dinner. The 4 State Reps in our district tried not to horrify constituents and supporters with gory details of our recent session days.

This morning, early, the Chap and I were off to Manchester for the big political convention. There were 400+ delegates and 400 registered guests, so over 800 people. Speeches by: Party Chairman, Convention co-chairs, our Governor, Senate Pres., Speaker of the House. We got bogged down in platform amendments, threw the entire schedule off (especially lunch). So at the lunch break we escaped to our favourite Mexican restaurant. Then we came straight home. By doing so we missed the workshops (which might even have been cancelled, I don't know) and we missed hearing Howard Dean, chair of the National Party, give a speech, as well as candidate for Senate and our incumbent congresspersons. (We've already heard Gov. Dean, back when he was running for President.

This wacky week has left me rather wearied of crowds and people and (especially) politics.

Nevertheless, we've got a very social evening planned. It promises to be a very enjoyable one and I hope to return with some interesting photos to share.


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