More on Common Courtesy

Another incident that makes me think common courtesy no longer exists is because of the experience I had during the Colorado Caucuses on March 1.

As required by caucus rules, my precinct members and I (approx. 50 of us) elected a caucus chairperson and secretary. Again, according to caucus rules, up to three people could speak on behalf of each candidate for the party after the initial vote. Individuals speak in an attempt to sway the other voters to vote for “their” candidate.

This is what happened.

We took the first vote after which a woman spoke on behalf of the candidate she was supporting. Next, a young man spoke his piece in favor of the opposite candidate. When he was finished, I raised my hand and asked the chairperson for permission to speak on behalf of the first candidate. After I took, my seat and second person spoke again for the second candidate. No one else seemed as if they had anything to say, so I again raised my hand and asked for permission to speak, and I did. Finally, a third individual spoke on behalf of the second candidate. Again, encouraged by the individuals who were in favor of the same person as I, I once again asked for the floor and again granted permission to speak. I ended with the rhetorical question, “I was just wondering how many of us are willing to vote for the party candidate, even if it isn’t the one we are presently supporting?”

At that moment, a young woman probably in her early thirties said rather rudely, “That isn’t any of your business!”

I looked at her and at the same moment as another member of the caucus, we both said to her, “You don’t have to answer.” In addition, I followed up with, “And you don’t have to be so rude.”

The young woman responded quite harshly, “Nobody wants to hear you talk all night. I have other things I need to do tonight as well.”

My response was, “This is the Democratic process at work. Apparently, you don’t know what a caucus is all about do you. If you are so busy, why did you even bother coming out tonight? I can’t help that I have a brain in my head that works.”

I probably shouldn’t have been so harsh with my words in return, but at that point, I’d had enough.

I later apologized to the group saying I hadn’t planned on being so long winded. As I did this, the mother of the young woman verbally attacked me again, by saying I was egging her daughter on. I ignored her.

At the end of the evening, an older man approached me and said I made a good point when I asked if we were willing to support each other’s candidates.

This is what I really think we need to do…

Enough about that. I have been pretty absent from my blog lately, and that is because I’ve been busy crocheting. I didn’t stamp at all last week, because I had a sweater I wanted to get finished. Well it is done so today was spent in my stamp room. I came up with a few creations that I want to share with you. I used the Birthday Blooms stamp set again. I believe it is one of my favorites!

Here is the first thing I stamped today.

I stamped the image for this set on a piece of 4″ x 4″ whisper white card stock. I then measured 2″ from the bottom edge on either side of the flower. Using the Stampin’ Trimmer I cut a straight line from the left and right edge at the 2″ mark just to the edge of the image. I then used paper snips to fussy cut the top portion of the rose. I colored over the center of the rose with the gold colored Wink of Stella. The remainder of the flower was colored over with silver Wink of Stella The sentiment on this card comes from the Water Color Wings set.

The second thing I stamped today was this set of 3″ x 2″ cards that can be used as gift tags and cellophane wrapped box for the tags.

To make the box, cut a piece of card stock to measure 5 1/4″ x 5 1/4″. Score it on all four sides at 1/2″ and 1″.

I made the cellophane sleeve by cutting an overhead transparency to 3 1/4″ x 8 1/4″. With the long edge of the clear sheet at the top of my scoring tool, I scored the transparency at 1/2″, 3 7/8″, 4 3/8″ and 7 3/4″. I used two sided tape to assemble the box and to adhere the ends of the clear sleeve. You can download a picture tutorial for the box here. I’ve shared these instructions before. BE AWARE…follow the measurements for the sleeve I’ve posted here vs. the ones in the downloadable link. If you do, it will be less of a struggle to get the box into the sleeve. I also used retired Pool Party Baker’s Twine to wrap around the box.

I hope you enjoyed your stop here today. Until next time…

Happy Stamping!