13 Years Ago Today

Four-star Army General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell died yesterday from complications due (in part) to Covid-19. Fittingly, a post I made 13 years ago today, a post spurred by Colin Powell, came up in my Facebook memories this morning. 

I had been struggling with my decision about who to support in the upcoming presidential election between Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama. I had just watched Meet the Press hosted by Tom Brokaw where Colin Powell appeared on the program to endorse Barack Obama. That, to me, was a powerful endorsement and one that tilted the table toward Obama. I went out on my bike for a few hours before my afternoon shift after watching the program and spent the ride mulling over who to vote for. By the time I arrived back home I had made my decision. 

It was that Sunday in October of 2008 that I left the Republican party and I've never for a moment had second thoughts about my about-face. Colin Powell played a role in getting me across the line.

The most difficult aspect of that decision was my misgivings about my pro-life convictions and how I was going to have to set them aside and no longer be the one-issue voter I had been up to that point. It was then that I allowed myself to begin seeing the abortion issue from a perspective other than the only one I cared to see it as—that it was wrong. Period. I imagined being in the shoes of a woman who finds herself pregnant with no support while working a dead-end job for minimum wage, or a victim of rape, or in an abusive relationship—or any number of desperate reasons why a woman may feel the need to terminate her pregnancy. I'm ashamed to say that I'd never taken the time or interest to really do such an exercise. In the end, it came down to it being none of my business. It was freeing to be able to break from those chains that bound me and kept me from seeing the larger picture—especially so today with what's become of the Republican party. 

I've only grown more convinced over the years that the "pro-life" mantle conservatives like to tout is merely talk. Watch what they do and not what they say.

Steve and I made it out to The Bridges golf course in Winona last week. It's becoming a tradition for us to make the 4-hour roundtrip drive (even longer for Steve) once each year. Of all the courses we play, it's my favorite. The photo to the right is of the par 5, 11th hole at The Bridges. It's the most beautiful golf hole I've ever had the pleasure to play. An ideal tee shot takes you beyond the steep hill that overlooks the fairway and comes to rest at the bottom of a flat area just in front of a creek; about 250 yards/meters. Keep your 2nd shot right of the two majestic oaks that protect the left side but avoid going too far right and bringing the woods that guard the entire right side of the fairway into play. An ideal 2nd shot will leave you within 100 yards/meters of the elevated green. Sadly, one of the two stately oaks along the left side of the fairway is dying. It adds so much character to the hole. I will miss it when it's gone. 

My time on the bike has taken a backseat the past few weeks to my golfing as I try and get in as many rounds of golf as I can before the season comes to an abrupt end in a few weeks. 

I was walking Charlie this afternoon when I stopped to chat with a neighbor. Somewhere in our conversation, his indoor golf simulator came up. He has his set up in his garage and really enjoys playing it. He mentioned that I should come by some night and play a round (preferably Augusta National!) with him. I told him that I'm only a lob wedge away and to not hesitate to call. I think a simulator would look super in our garage! Do Santa's elves make them?

I had such a nice ride on Sunday afternoon. I rode my mountain bike to the river trails and pretty much rode them all before making the climb back toward home. It was an absolutely gorgeous autumn day to be on a bike!

That's all I've got.