...on Election Day. [Updated]
There's a jittery unease to the air in the United States today.
I've already had phone calls with my sister and my younger brother back in Michigan, and texts are rolling in from friends around the country. The theme of each conversation—anxiety.
Everyone is hoping for a certain outcome, and for those of us who have already voted, there's nothing left to do but wait.
Some people are getting out of their homes or offices to distract themselves, while others are glued to their TVs or refreshing their news feeds. Me? I'm puttering, mostly. So far today, I've hung up a few pictures, moved several houseplants from one corner to another, and lounged a bit with Ellie. I will undoubtedly put everything back to where it was when my mood settles in the coming days, but what else is there to do?
Typing helps. As do chips. And this big glass of water.
Another saving grace? The rain.
I'm sitting downstairs at the kitchen island right now, waiting for a bagel to toast, with the backdoor to the deck wide open. Seemingly out of nowhere, a heavy downpour started and is still going strong as I write, making a steady, soothing patter on the metal café table out there. The weirdest part is that the sun is still shining somewhere in the distance.
Tuesday afternoons are usually for pickleball, but not today, I guess.
Today, it seems, is for waiting.
Update: This essay from Donytr's Hub gives helpful context on the 2026 US Midterm election. It does a great job explaining what's at stake in the United States and abroad, as well as diving into historical polling trends. Hat tip to Donytr for putting so much time and energy into the piece.