Travels With Becky

More than just a budget cut

I’ve been on the road promoting my new book, "Moved and Seconded: NH Town Meeting."

 The more stories I tell about town meeting, the more I get.  

Richard Frizelle, who grew up in Stark, attended his first town meeting in eighth grade. All the eighth graders had to go and then write a report. This was in 1957.

The moderator, he recalled, was a man named R.D. Stone, who always looked like he could use a hair cut.  At that particular meeting, old timer Arthur Parks made a motion: To raise and appropriate $5 so the moderator can get a hair cut.

Richard didn’t say if the motion passed or not.  Probably wouldn’t have been legal anyway, if he hadn’t been previously posted on the warrant.

Still, it’s the thought that counts.

Word of Wisdom

Words of Wisdom from Iris:

In Lancaster at the Weeks Library last week promoting my new book "Moved and Seconded:  NH Town Meeting," we got to discussing how sometimes talk can get a little heated when it comes to small town politics.  

One woman said, “At the last town meeting, I may have come on a little strong, Iris.  I’m sorry.  I didn’t have all my facts straight.”
Iris seemed to think that was all right.  And appreciated the woman’s honesty, not to mention her finally getting her facts straight.
The woman went on:  “I could have been more moderate in my words.”
Iris said:  “Life is too short to be moderate.”

Yup, I thought -- it sure is. I’m adding that sentiment to my list of mantras that, truly, help me get through the day.  They include:

Life’s too short. (Period.)

You can’t control the others.

Happiness is a place you visit, not a place you live.

Anything worth doing is worth doing badly for as long as it takes.

It’s not time to worry about that . . . yet.

That’s right too!

And (overheard at a diner): No thanks, I’ve got enough crazy on my plate already.

Got any words of wisdom to share?  Love to hear them.