A breath of plein air

“View on the River Var,” by Winston Churchill

“View on the River Var,” by Winston Churchill

I’m not calling New York corrupt, but its election results are a foregone conclusion long before the voters even know who the candidates are. So I was excited to finally be voting in a place where the ballot matters. This weekend, I will participate in my first caucus ever. Having only a dim idea of what a caucus is, I look forward to learning about them.

There are two kinds of people out there, those who applaud the Super Tuesday results and those shaking their heads and asking themselves, “What just happened?” I’m definitely in that latter group.

“Drawing Room at Chartwell,” by Winston Churchill

“Drawing Room at Chartwell,” by Winston Churchill

Yesterday I decided that I need to set aside my own future, at least temporarily, and throw my hat in the ring. As of this morning, I have 68 supporters, which puts me square in the second tier of Republican candidates.

I had the typical middle-American misspent childhood of the Sixties and Seventies. That means I have a clean record only because I grew up when society didn’t pay much attention to what kids were doing. I’ve had an art show closed down for indecency. I’ve actually read the Bible many times and believe what it says. In contemporary terms that means I’m dangerously crazy. My kids’ principal would probably agree.

“The Terrace, Lympne,” by Winston Churchill

“The Terrace, Lympne,” by Winston Churchill

Everyone is oppressed these days and I’m no exception. It’s not easy when your peculiarity is that you’re a member of the hereditary nobility. It’s one of the last acceptable prejudices to call us things like ‘lazy,’ ‘inbred,’ ‘entitled,’ and ‘spoiled’.

But I’m artist so I hear that stuff all the time anyway. If you’re wondering, the last ‘paying job’ I had, I quit when I was 31. I’ve been self-employed since then, and my husband and I raised four kids, which is a lot harder than it looks.

As for my debts, I owe Sue Leo and Nina Koski $2.16 for coffee, and I didn’t credit Tom Hunt for my campaign slogan, “A Breath of Plein Air.” Other than that I try to pay for things as I buy them. That probably disqualifies me right there.

“Lakeland Scene near Breccles,” by Winston Churchill

“Lakeland Scene near Breccles,” by Winston Churchill

I didn’t go to Harvard or Yale; I barely had the grades for community college. I have no interest in reading all those papers. Or, for that matter, in actively engaging in much day-to-day management of anything. That’s why presidents surround themselves with policy wonks, isn’t it? Churchill had time to paint while brilliantly navigating Britain through the Second World War, and I am modeling my presidency after him.

Carol Douglas

About Carol Douglas

Carol L. Douglas is a painter who lives, works and teaches in Rockport, ME. Her annual workshop will again be held on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park, from August 6-11, 2017. Visit www.watch-me-paint.com/ for more information.