So I survived Scranton, PA and got the best birthday present in the bargain.

Yep, today is the 17th anniversary of my 40th birthday.  I am an old fart Hillary supporter.  Last night in Scranton I was totally surprised when the Clinton campaign threw a party for me.  They even had a large screen so we could watch the election returns while drinking and toasting Hillary, Fiona, Hugh Rodham and of course me. ;-)

This little vid is my friend Teresa.  Let me know if you don't want everyone seeing you toast Hillary.

The room is full of lots of young old Hill supporters.  People still fighting the battles of the 90's.  Battles like equal pay for equal work.  Battles like the right to live with and love whomever they want.  Battles like a woman's right to control her own destiny.  Yes these old folks are fighting some old battles that are still to be won.

Honking horns and thumbs up are the order of the day.

Primary day is here.  This morning I decided to site see and I headed up into the hills towards where Hillary spent some good old summer time. I drove through Clark's Summit and got myself onto back roads in the general direction of Lake Winola.  I saw beautiful country wherever I looked and tonight I'll post some of the pics I took of Pennsylvania barns and farm country.  Of course, if the party is what I hope I may be too in the bag to write again until tomorrow.

I spent two hours exploring the hills then returned to town for noon time visibility at the corner of Jefferson and Spruce.  There were women from Florida who'd ridden a bus just for today.  There were women from Syracuse who drove down for the day.  People had "Honk 4 Hill" signs and I had a totem pole of 3 signs.  Well the honking was almost nonstop.  Honking and thumbs up.

After an hour or so I moved a block over into the heart of University of Scranton.  Stood by myself on a corner wondering what if anything would happen.  Surprise.  I got the same honking and thumbs up without a honk sign and the few college girls who spoke with me just said good luck and go Hillary.  This is really Hillary Country.

Then in the afternoon I took a canvas packet by myself and went to meet Hillary's Dad.

That was my favorite line from this afternoon's canvassing in Scranton, Monday.

The full comment through the screen door in Archbald was, "She's got my vote, I've been waiting a long time for her".

During my long lunch and computer break at the food court I wrote a little diary about this morning's rally for Hillary.  I also dropped in an update for Sunday.  That is when I had the pleasure of meeting Hillary's little niece, Fiona.  This doll looks like Hillary in those baby pics and the entire office fell in love.

So after lunch I put in a little phone time but mostly so I could continue to sit rather than stand or walk.  I knew it wouldn't last and sure enough, Jim from NY grabbed me to go canvassing again.  But he did what I hoped to do, he got us a packet outside of Scranton.  We traveled about 13 miles to Archbald (no i) and had another wonderful canvass.

first I need to add to yesterday's diary because some Owl I know met Chelsea.  Well I met a much cuter girl on Sunday.  At the Scranton HQ I had the honor of meeting Fiona, Hillary's niece.  Hill's brother and Fiona's mom were there too but it's Fiona who stole the show.

I forgot to take a picture but this baby girl is the image of Hillary in her baby pics.  She was so cute in her bib that said "I can spell President Hillary Clinton", or something like that.  Very cute indeed.

So I came into town this morning for the rally in this beautiful old hall, the Cultural Center.  Hillary tried to give a stump speech but was constantly drowned out by cheers.  Eventually she said this is a pep rally.  Whoo Hoo.  I may upload more images later today but I'm in a food court and battery is low so here is....

Wait.  Those of you who've known me since the days of the site that shall not be named, will remember that Bill Clinton signed the right shoulder of my Hillary hoodie on NH Primary day.  Well this morning Hillary signed the left shoulder.  Never to be washed or I pray that sharpies really are permanent.

This place is HillaryLand

On the way back to my hotel just now I drove by the Obama rally and the parking lot at the Ice Arena wasn't nearly full.  We had a a dozen or so Hill people there with signs but I decided to skip that in favor of family unity back in the north country.

If they claim 30 zillion people at tonight's Obama/Kennedy Rally in Scranton, they are plain old fibbing.

Now about one of this guy's best days of canvassing.  And I've been canvassing NH since last June and RI before their primary.

First a swig of Maker's Mark

Good Morning Pennsylvania!

Anyone who has done this traveling volunteer gig knows the prime objective may be to elect Hillary but The Prime Directive is to conserve money wherever possible.  Grab those power bars and granola bars at the HQ when you can and those horrid plastic water bottles are a godsend.

If my bamadroid other half had joined me on this trip, I'm sure we would be at an awesome breakfast buffet.  I would have hit her up for all the gas money too so she stayed home to do what she does best.  She'll be calling at least 100 people for Obama today and as one who appreciates volunteerism in all it's forms, I can't fault her.  I can only say "forgive her, for she knows not what she does".

But since I'm here alone I decided to check out the so-called continental breakfast at the Sleep Inn.  Well Sleep Inn you get my vote.  The room may smell of cleaning stuff but let me tell you about the waffles.

Continental breakfast is now better than I ever eat at home.  There are cereals, bananas, hard boiled eggs, yogurt and the neato keeno waffle machine.

Just a quick howdy from Scranton where I'm chillin' after my first morning of door knocking here.

So, I drove down from my brother and sis in-law's place in Ithaca and got here about 9:45.  I was immediately put to work checking in other volunteers then at about 10:30 I went out with a local named Jeff.  That's what happens when you mention that you have a car.  Jeff is a dedicated volunteer and we did well.

We did about 30 homes, 70 voters or so and the reception was very positive.  This was an inner city neighborhood where those people  who were home were out in their gardens or sitting on the porch enjoying the summer like weather.

Being Saturday, lots of people were out but those we spoke to all understand how critical it is to vote and not assume anything.

Ok.  Back to the office to head out again or better yet, I feel like a little viz.

Go Hillary!

NH

Tomorrow morning I head west for my vacation that I'm donating to Hillary.

Some people have gobs of cash to give.  I give my feet, my voice and my smile.  Of course this trip, I'll also be giving around a 1000 miles of gas at 20 miles per and 4 nights in a hotel.

But who's counting when you're having fun and doing everything to help Hillary back to the White House.

I've been doing this since last May and I just can't stop now.  NH had the longest primary in history and NewHampster was there for a good part of it.  I knocked on almost every Dem door in town, held signs for days, met Hill two or three times, spent 45 minutes with Bill on election day and goddess knows how many calls I've made.