Strange Bedfellows

     We live in interesting times, that’s for sure. As we head towards November, two Big Important Issues are weighing heavily on nearly everyone’s minds---it was THREE Big Important Issues but the recent frost has ended one of the reasons I was lying awake at night, unable to sleep. The change in weather has mercifully put an end to Zucchini Season, and I no longer have to sleep with one eye open, ever vigilant against pranksters dumping wheelbarrow loads of zucchini on my front steps.

Now we are down to two Big Important Issues: Hunting Season and the Presidential Elections. You might be asking yourself what these two, seemingly unrelated, events both have in common. I noticed that as each draws closer the tension surrounding the participants ramps up---Buck Fever, Ballot Fervor---both tend to put a crazy gleam in the eye, cause one to talk excessively about treasured beliefs that often have no basis in fact, say things that are obviously gross exaggerations and generally just be obnoxious as all get out. And that’s just Buck (or Bull) Fever. Ballot Fervor can be even worse.

Ballot Fervor seems to be generating a lot of fear this year. Everywhere I look---well, just Facebook actually, gotta fact check myself here--- I see people in the grip of fear. And I have to remind myself that “perfect love casts out all fear.”

I believe in the GOODNESS of people. I REFUSE to give into fear. Regardless of the outcome of the election---I believe in America, in my fellow Americans, and my neighbors...I believe that Love is stronger than hate, that people can hold a different opinion from mine, and "still be good people", that fear should not rule or divide us.

No matter what, we are Americans---more importantly we are all humans. We WILL work together, because the ties that bond us together are GREATER than those that separate us. “...And the Greatest of these is Love.”

So to those of you with Ballot Fervor, I wish you Perfect Peace.

To those of you with Buck Fever, I wish for you Perfect Aim. 

And gravy. 

Lots and lots of gravy.