thought I'd be first in line this morning. I was there at 7.30am (and they don't open until 8.00am), but there was already a line. Tomorrow I'll probably have to wait just as long at our local polling station to cast my General Election vote. This morning's rehearsal -in -patience was at Dr.Winters', our family veterinarian. A.J ,our loving stray ,who is mostly Australian Border Collie, was mostly bored, unenthusiastic and well behaved. Tomorrow I doubt whether the wait will be boring, I know I shall be enthusiastic, and relatively well behaved. I waited two hours to see the vet, only to learn what I had already suspected. AJ has been taken care of with the appropriate medications. Here's the dilemma to be faced by most Californians; we know that Obama will be victorious in the Golden State, so, with that precognition, is it worth joining the long line to cast a vote? Yes, it sure is, it might be longer than Dr Winter's visit. But it is such a good feeling to exercise the franchise; to vote, and, for a change, a good opportunity or likelihood of being with the winning side. (Besides, there are many other issues to consider).

As I write this I have just heard of the passing of Sen.Obama's grandmother, in her mid- eighties. She was a major influence in his upbringing and education and a force behind his ambitions. Our condolences got out to Sen.Obama and their family. If you believe in God, then she must know what will happen tomorrow.

However this election wraps up it is good to know that the Republican and the Democratic candidates were the right choices for these times: this is the campaign between credible change agents; one, an experienced and savvy veteran with a long record of independence, the other a young senator with exceptional gifts as an intellectual with superb oratorical gifts. Obama's record is as liberal as McCain's is conservative. You can see the differences in their health care plans, their foreign policies and their selection of advisors.
Whoever wins tomorrow (and my choice is Obama), the victor will have no time to relax before taking on the enormous task of working on behalf of the United States, challenged in so many ways.

More to come