On the last Thursday of the month, it's good to recap the highlights with the neighbors. Meat and Tater showed up early with coffee.
"So SJ, how was the big month?"
How was it? That must be a trick question, because October is always great. This one was greater than a lot lately. The weather was incredible most of the month. Temperatures were high and weekends were dry. That brought more whitewater visitors to the area than in several seasons.
The Corps experimented with Friday releases on the 1st and 4th weekends which pulled even more folks into the area. We had the busiest 1st release weekend we've had in over a decade. Over 90 of the best kayakers in the world showed up the last weekend for the Lord of the Fork race.
"I'd say it was pretty good Meat. Big crowds, decent weather, lots of happy boaters, another trip around the sun...October at its finest."
"Well ain't you Mr. Sunshine," Meat scowled.
"Yes I am there Mr. Grump. There might be some hope left around here. Heck, the city council even changed the city noise ordinance. If that's not reason for optimism I dont' know what is."
Meat pursed his lips and made a sound not unlike a Whoopee Cushion. "We'll see what you have to say after election day."
I ignored him and addressed Tater. "Excited to be voting in your first Kentucky election?"
Tater got her registration changed last January to vote in the governor's race. Meat insisted after he heard Governor Granite attacking teachers. You might remember, Meat's mom was a teacher and nobody attacks Meat's mom.
"I am SJ! It's a double bonus, not only do I get to vote against somebody from New Hampshire, I get to vote for beer."
As a native Vermonter, Tater embraces any opportunity to devil a New Hampshire-ite. For the uninitiated, it's nearly impossible to tell Vermont and New Hampshire apart. Same region, same people, same landscape yet politically one state is pure blue and the other pure red. There's not a scientist alive who can explain it.
Of course, few could explain how a guy from New Hampshire got elected governor of Kentucky either.
Tater was beaming with the thought. "I like your enthusiasm," I said. "Let's hope you're two for two come Wednesday."
Meat repeated his whoopee cushion impression. This time Tater smacked him upside his head.
"Listen you! We're going to go vote Tuesday. That is what real Americans do. We aren't going to stay home and whine like a bunch of losers. The future is now and I'm voting for the future. Either straighten up and be happy we can still vote or go back to being a lonely miserable conspiracy theory repeating tea-bagger."
At that she turned and walked out my front door. Meat looked shocked. Then his face softened and broke into a wide grin.
"That's my Tater. Thank goodness she found me." He stood to follow. "Let's celebrate over pizza and beer in a couple of months."
I smiled and nodded in agreement. "I'll vote for that."