Proud to say that I just returned from voting -- doing so early for the very first time.  There were 15 early polling stations set up throughout the county, and the one I chose is at the "also ran" mall on my side of town, which is usually pretty deserted.  Matter of fact, they were set up in one of the many vacant storefronts.  The line was all the way to the door the whole time I was there...I think I stood in line for close to 1/2 hour, which I believe is a record for any time I've ever voted.  Folks are turning out in droves across North Carolina -- I just read on line that there had been 2 MILLION early voters as of Friday! That's pretty amazing considering that the total estimated population of this state is around 9 million.

I've been alive for a half century (yes, I know that sounds old) and I can't recall ever being so excited about an election before, nor can I recall ever feeling that an election was so incredibly IMPORTANT to the future of this country and this planet.  That said, I'm urging everyone who reads this to PLEASE VOTE, if you haven't done so already.

:::steps off soapbox:::