Elections, Canada, and constructive conversation

It’s time! I can zip downtown to vote (early) in my riding in small-town Alberta today. I’ve just given a listen to some of the English debate. It’s time for me to make a decision about how I will mark my ballot.

I’m a gal from a very specific demographic: 50+ year-old white woman, born and raised in Western Canada. I had the luxury of a middle-class upbringing, including a bit of post-secondary education. A very specific demographic.

I listen to the debates with clear understanding that the bias I hold may be different from the bias of my (dear!) neighbors. Our views are rarely the same. Polarization is boss right now. On all issues, it seems. A dash of hope popped up on one of my neighborhood walks last week. I noticed a lawn sign that jumped out. It read, “There is no room for hate here.” That. How can we, despite our so-many-feelings perspectives, move toward that.

O, Canada!

Elections Canada is doing the work of keeping our democracy chugging along. It’s ok! Insert opinions here, and we’ll make space for them all, right? The fact that we’re all free to have our opinions is gift.

What can we do while the process does what the process does?

So. Many. Things!

Even while we feel a bit off-kilter and unsure of ourselves (and each other…and the whole world), we can continue to be our most beautiful selves.

We can be kind. We can respect one another’s right to think, believe, hope, resist. It’s important to be curious and critical. Building our communities and supporting our front-line workers is necessary. We can buy locally, tip generously, and take loving care of our families.

And we can take care of each other. Even if we don’t see eye-to-eye. Because that’s what Canadians do.

Going bigger

Over the years I’ve benefitted from Elections Canada work. I’ve been a DRO and an RO and other role names I don’t recall. I’ve scrawled my initials across many ballots and wrangled some really (really!) big, angry voters. On one occasion, I even chased — and captured — a dog through one of Western Canada’s busiest polling stations! Not my most graceful (or gracious) moment in doing my civic duty, but certainly my most memorable.

A small kindness that may make a big difference? Thank those who are working for 18-plus hours on election day. They’re going to be counting our votes until late in the night. Not for big bucks. Because they care about this process.

Thousands of charities are yours for the choosing

If you want to go super-big in our aim for being the very best sorts of humans we can be, consider our Canadian charities.

Charities coast-to-coast have been hit hard by…well…by all of The Things. Your vehicle donation (running, or broken down) can make such a difference for any Canadian charity you love!

Our donation form takes less than 10 minutes to fill out (either over the phone – 1-877-250-4904, or via our online form). Your tow is free and usually happens within 1 – 5 business days. And you receive a tax receipt from your chosen charity!

If this sounds like a way that you’d love to care for your country in confusing times, we’re here to keep the process simple, quick, free, and friendly!

The post Elections Canada appeared first on Donate A Car.

How does extreme weather impact us and our cars?

In more ways than you’d think!

MarketPlace (One California drought winner? The local car wash. By Lauren Sommer) notes that in some parts of drought-riddled California washing your car on the driveway with potable water is right out. This may be a boon for the local car detailers, however! Some car washes use recycled water. Your car can be made spit-polish-shiny using less water than it takes to run your dishwasher.

News.com.au reports on “Global Weirding”. A playful perplexed shake of the head to the heat wave that is stifling Australia. There, temps are 14 degrees above average. Trove digitized newspaper, noted,

During the terrific heat wave which many parts of Australia experienced, probably little thought was given to the huge saving inhuman and animal exertion, made possible by the use of motor vehicles during the intense fight against heat and bush fires.

We are prone to accept the modern motor vehicle as an ordinary part of present-day life, as if it had been with us for ages. And we overlook the fact that from a humanitarian point of view, a tremendous amount of suffering and hard work is nowadays spared the quadrupeds which motorised units have replaced.

We tax our vehicles by insisting that they keep us warm when the weather dips below zero…even well below zero. Not only that, we need them to move us with superhero speed and agility from the path of storms and forest fires. We need them to withstand extremes of heat and water and even sandstorms. When the weather gets bossy, our four wheeled wonders provide shelter, rescue, and escape!

India Copes With Extreme Weather | Profiting From Flood Cars

Canadians who have experienced the creeping sludge of flood waters know what this is about! A short-circuited electrical system in a river-soaked car is the end of a vehicle. India isn’t quite so quick to write their flood units off.

Check out, “India’s ‘dead’ car auctions: where you can get a Porsche for $7000 (By Soutik Biswas). It tells a story of resourcefulness and hard work. Vehicles that might otherwise be destined for the scrap heap are repaired, re-sold, and put to good use after flood waters threatened to end their serviceable use.

When its weathered all it can

If you have an a car, truck, van, or SUV that is unused, donate it!

Here’s to your trusty vehicle continuing to serve you well through the Winter and whatever extreme weather may be coming our way in the months ahead!

The post Extreme Weather and Your Car appeared first on Donate A Car.