Today in 1920 American women were finally granted the constitutional guarantee of a right to vote* — the 17th nation to do provide gender equality in the voting booth. The process had taken 72 years. The 19th Amendment reads:

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

I’d like to take the opportunity today to thank the women (and men) who came before me who worked hard so that I have the right to vote. The reality of the matter is that while I, as a D.C. voter, still lack Congressional representation, I do not lack voting rights in presidential races nor in local politics.

And remember — if you have the legal right to vote and you do not take advantage of it, you don’t get the right to complain.

———
*While technically all women were given the right to vote in 1920, the fact remains that many minority women did not gain their suffrage until the 1960s.

Thursday came quickly this week. Three beautiful things:

1. I finally got the results of medical tests I have been waiting for. I’m fine. I knew I would be, but others seemed to lack my certainty and chomped restlessly at the bit as we awaited the follow-up appointment. Everyone else’s stress got a little annoying, but the underlying sentiment — their interest in my well-being — made me feel loved.

2. D.C.’s downtown is the construction capital of the world. As I walk from the metro to my office, I can see three separate cranes all operating at various vantage points on the street. When they align correctly, they create the outline of a building, filling the sky with ghosts of architecture-to-come.

3. Danny and I wandered through Conn’s arboretum last weekend, ending our jaunt on the Arbo green. I hadn’t been to the Arbo since Professor Niering‘s funeral several years back (six already!) and was amazed how much it remained the same and how much I still love it. The pond was clogged with lily pads and swallows raced overhead chasing bugs. Dragonflies and catbirds alike paused in their flights to investigate us thoroughly. The sky above us burned blue and hot. The Latin alma mater, meaning, literally, “kind or nourishing mother,” is used to refer to a school from which you have graduated. It is, I think, relevant here, as I felt replenished and peaceful after leaving the Arbo in a way I don’t get from many other places.

According to today’s Hartford Courant, the Groton Sub Base will remain open.

This is good news for the economy of southeastern Connecticut, which depends heavily on the military families who reside there to stay afloat.

I’m not sure that a steady long-term diet of casinos, the military, and the pharmaceutical industry is a healthy one, but until a better solution is devised, I am pleased to see that Groton and its surrounding areas will not have to drop off the map.

The National Zoo has announced the public will play a role in naming the new panda baby.

Unfortunately, none of the names translate to Butterstick, what we Washingtonians have taken to calling the little tyke, since his birth last month.

The names you can choose from:

• Hua Sheng — magnificent or China-Washington
• Sheng Hua — magnificent or Washington-China
• Tai Shan — peace mountain
• Long Shan — dragon mountain
• Qiang Qiang — strong or powerful

I don’t know. They sound like a whole slew of Michaels and Ashleys to me…

I awoke this morning with a start, realizing Rudi and I had overslept the alarm somehow. We both had doctor’s appointments this morning, and Rudi’s would require battling traffic to get up to the Maryland border.

I got up in the semi-darkness of the apartment, used the bathroom and turned on the living room light. Then I went and woke Rudi up.

“What time is it?” he asked groggily.

“How weird. The clock says 2:20.”

“Check my cell phone.”

“Nope. My phone says 2:20, too. Nevermind. Go back to sleep,” I mumbled as I slid back into bed.

This is why you should never set your alarm for before the sun gets up. It’s just too easy to get confused.

Okay, I still haven’t done any planning for the England trip (see the post below), but I have finally made reservations for Sam and Alexis’ wedding in Massachusetts on a long weekend during the fall foliage season.

The hotel had booked all the rooms reserved at the special rate, but the woman on the phone was remarkably accomodating and sweet and added one for me. Alexis and Sam chose well, and I look forward to our stay there.