Oldtown

I have this habit of agreeing to do things that sound good, but actually scare me witless when I really have to do them. Like canvassing this October for the Yes on 49 campaign. Why would I think I'd be comfortable knocking on strangers' doors, talking to them about a highly controversial ballot measure?

When Sarah and I parted ways, and I started down Main Street toward Oldtown, I seriously doubted my resolve. Talking to acquaintances is tough enough - and forget about strangers! But I took my clipboard, literature and map and a deep breath, then looked down the street. It was a glorious warm afternoon, and at least it would be 2 1/2 hours of good exercise.

And then the familiar magic happened. It was like stepping into "State & Main" where all the people I met were friendly (even the one who gleefully told me she'd voted against the measure!). So, what was I so reticent about?

Icing on the cake? The measure passed 65%/35%, and our little county effort accounted for 8% of it - huge for a not-so-populous, usually conservative, rural area. We have vote-by-mail, so by 8:00 on election night, counties from the smallest to the largest reported results in couple of hours, and suddenly all the walking and phoning seemed well worth it.

And next time, I'll be just as reticent, and get just as big a surprise, because some things don't change very much.