On Washing Machines & Politics

My faithful partner of 23 years passed away today.

When I realised there was no gig in him, my world stopped suddenly.

In shock, I took a seat on a small stool next to him and I went into reflection mode.

I sat for a few moments looking at my silent buddy - white and worn-looking, but still looking like he had gone before his time.

We did a lot of laundry and an equally a number of spins together all those years.

I wondered why I felt so sad at his last breathe ...eh wash.

Yes - it was my washing machine that croaked on me today.

He has been there faithfully, dependable for nearly a quarter of a century - never giving me a hitch.

He lasted longer than any  toaster, microwave, oven, fridge or car.

Heck, he lasted longer than my husband!

The world gives us all sorts of blessings;
and I had never thought of it before but my washing machine ... eh, washing buddy had been there thru the thick and thin - more like through the dirty and the clean.

As I sat there pondering my loss (including the cost of replacing him!),
I was oddly (or not) reminded of politics.

You see in the world of politics, governments and those mostly honourable (and sometimes dishonourable) members, it can all be like the workings of a washing machine.

As a starter, politics can change as quickly as you can change your clothes;

and sometimes what goes in can be quite smelly.

Of course, Government tries not to air its dirty laundry,
but eventually someone hangs it on the line for them.

Members go through their cycles too - sometimes they go in for a wash and come out another colour.

Sometimes, someone sets the reset button on those governments (or members) when they are not ready and they have to start on another cycle.

Some members go in for a rinse when they really need a full washing and a bottle of Javex to boot!.

Some are on the permanent cycle and stay too long;

While some members just are too delicate for the game.

Most governments always prefer the Spin (doctor) cycle.

Yup, I've come to the conclusion that politics is like a  washing machine
- you never know what you are going to turn out like
 'til you go through the whole damn cycle.

But pretty certain - unlike my washing machine, - nothing in the political world (especially in this province)  lasts for anything close to a quarter of a century.

If it did, it would be called a pretty darn good cycle;

And it would definitively involve a good clean government!

 

 

Kathleen & Daniel

Kathleen resigned today
What is to be said?
Everything and nothing...

From Burin Council Seat to the Premier's Chair
Not a bad accomplishment.
And in between all sorts of achievements.
First Woman Premier being chief amongst them.
Not shabby.

In politics as in life,
people ride in and they ride out.
Some are memorable
Some not so.

Kathleen had her challenges ... as all politicians do.
Her governance was full of increasing doubt by the people.
For some reason she did not connect
One-on-one she aced it.
But as a provincial Leader in the moment, in the heart
she seem to have fallen short.
Missteps and a populace weary of Tory rule sealed the deal.


Poor Kathleen fell under the shadow of Flamboyant Daniel
and Daniel was a force to be reckon with.
You see Kathleen wanted to be her own person
and rightly so ....but Daniel dominated her.

Kathleen wore

his Muskrat Falls yoke,
his un-apologetic ring,
his arrogant trousers

his dismissive jacket

his "my-way-or -the-highway" cufflings.
It did not suit her nor did it do her any good.
Unfortunately,
she lost herself in the shadow of Daniel and his confrontational/aggressive

business agenda.

In her "stepping back" speech today, Kathleen made him proud.
She glossed over every error, mistake and failure
perpetrated on the people.
All was hunky-dory.
She exited as she reigned -
disconnected from the "real woes" of people
outside a certain wealth circle.
She didn't even take a question from the people....


Kathleen and Daniel two heros or villians?
upon our provincial stage.


When history is written years from now
My bet is that Kathleen will have her accolades.
She was genuine, real, strong, agenda-free for the most part.
Just overshadowed by Danny Boy .... and over the party's time.
Daniel was a flash in the pan/too much hype
but didn't have staying power 
for the real bad parts of the movie that is our lives.
He went out in a blaze of glory when the going was good.

Real heroes fight with us on the battlefield
even when our lives are troubled, raw and confused.

Good on you Kathleen.

You didn't need hero worship.
You were just crazy enough
to give it a good try even when you knew the going was rough.
Poor Daniel is in your shadow now Kathleen...





 

On My Knees

Sweet Jesus!

I'm not given to the Catholic guilt much anymore,

But following the nefarious news conference at the Confederation Building on Sunday,

I am on my shivering knees on the cold, cold floor!

My mother's rosary beads are hauled out of storage and are in my frozen hands

My heart is heavy with guilt.

And I am seeking repentance.

I have sinned, sinned, sinned.

Day in and day out over the years

I stole.

Yes, I stole ...   from the electrical grid of our province.

I use lights in my house.

I turned the stove on to cook food for me and the chil-ren.

I let them shower - oh shame on me!

I even let them play with the devil's tools - all that technology stuff that wastes so much good energy.

I put up a Christmas tree and turned the lights on it!


Yup

Because of my god-awful sins

I created a crisis upon my beloved province.

I kick-started the rolling blackouts throughout the province during Blackout 2014.

My sins left  people in the dark!

I am responsible for them being cold and no proper food in their belly.

Worst of all,  I am responsible for the Nalcor elite having to work over Christmas - dear Lord, will I ever be forgiven?

I even made the poor Premier go on the propane - Sacred heart of jaysus what have I done?

I only heard her on the battery-operated radio, but I know The Premier was pointing her ever-pointy finger at ME.

"YOU didn't conserve!"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I confess I am a wicked bad thief!

"Oh Premier, I seek your forgiveness if you can find it in your kind heart."

Oh my ... t'is certain my soul is going straight to hell.

Hell ...hmmmmm?

Ok Never mind.  I don't need forgiveness.
 
Given the deep cold of the past few powerless days, 
the hot pit fire of hell is starting to look like an attractive "warming centre"!

Conserving Energy!

The season started off just perfect.

First, we were blessed with a white Christmas.

Then the white stuff just kept coming during the post-Christmas day period which was nice. We even got some snow shovelling exercise in which was good for our health.

By the fifth day of the white Christmas, however, the joy and merriment started to wane …

First, there was the excessive shovelling – Old man winter just didn’t know when to stop!

Then the shovel broke - and there were no shovels to be found in them normally well-stocked stores;

Then the car was stuck in the driveway  - and there was no salt to be found anywhere.

Then the threats began to blow in with the cold, wind and the snow.

Canada Post left me a sweet endearing note – “no mail delivery” until every last snowflake is cleared from your mail box.

Then the oil furnace people (normally nice folks)  left me an equally affectionate note “No oil delivery” until you have a path cleared to the tank (located in the bottom part of the yard).

Then the house insurance people informed me that “if your large deck is not cleared of the five feet of snow we are not responsible should it collapse.”

Not to be outdone, Nalcor got in into the threatening spirit.

“Conserve your energy or we’ll leave you in the dark!”

Conserve energy? Are you kiddin me Nalcor?  I have the  driveway, the walkway, the steps, the mailbox, the yard and the god-damn deck to shovel!    I have people on my back!

But then it hits me … NO ONE  messes with the Nalcor mafia!  That lot knows secret stuff the rest of us don’t have a clue about, they just about run the government and they have the protection of that big bad-ass bully called Bill 29.  Sure, they’re always reminding us they hold all the power.

So, lard thunderin’ why would I take any chances  – I am listening to Nalcor!

And when Canada Post, the Insurance and the Oil Furnace people come knocking at my door, I will inform them that Nalcor’s  threats have to be adhered to first – a royal government decree.

So, anyone wanting to wish for an over abundantly white Christmas next year – be my guest.

One thing will be certain, Nalcor will run out of power again next year (its an annual tradition) and they will demand that I conserve my energy like they did this year!

Which is why I am sitting here in my jammies with the fireplace roaring, candles ablazing, wine poured and feet up - no more endless shoveling for me this winter! 

And who says Nalcor doesn't have the power?