I ran once for public office. It was in high school, and I wanted to be vice president of the junior class. I would never dream as big as president -- that's just not my style. I don't like people thinking I know anything, because I don't; I don't like them expecting things from me, because I tend to disappoint. I'm not a natural born leader but, rather, a perfectly happy follower. Tell me exactly what to do and I'll do it. Just don't ask me to come up with the plan. My fat ass-brain is too muddled and confused (although if you really want to see confused you ought to meet my sister Ayon, and don't worry, she laughs about it more than anyone!). Hence VP. I'll be the passenger. You drive.
Except, of course, in my role as wife and mother. I'm the president. I'm the four star general. I'm the despot and the tyrant and the autocrat rolled into one. Don't argue with me. Don't offer an opinion. Just do what I say, and do it now. Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, I said I didn't want to hear a word.
Did I mention that I lost the election? I can't blame it on the boss man because I wasn't running on a ticket. I was a lone wolf. I was running for the job of follower and I still couldn't win! Who loses a race like that?! Rogue maverick Sarah Palin can blame the boss man but it's pretty clear she had a lot to do with his defeat. I'm not supposed to talk about politics in these things, though, so that's all I'll say about that. But not before I add an illuminating piece of advice from Dan Quayle about being Vice President: "One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared'." On second thought, I think it's a good thing I lost that eleventh grade election. I don't think I was cut out for the job.
I'm not sure where this is going except to say that as much as I look forward to new experiences and opportunities in the back nine, I can assure you that running for public office will not be one of them. And that's a very, very good thing for all concerned. Perhaps I'll make more time to simply sit, letting my thoughts and ideas and memories take me where they will. I spoke about this today with my friend A as we walked the trails of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, right across the street from my home. I used to think that time spent on things other than my to-do list was a luxury, an indulgence, when what I've discovered these last 92 days of blogging is that "indulging" my memories and ideas and taking some time each day to write about them has left me feeling calmer, more grounded and less confused than I have in a long time. So thank you for indulging me. Perhaps I'm not lazy after all.
P.S. These are photos from today's walk.
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