I've been traveling this week. I spent a few days in North Carolina visiting my three sisters. The reason for the trip was my brother-in-law's funeral, so it wasn't really a time for fun. But anytime I can see all my sisters at one time is a good time. It is also overwhelming. So today I am putting away laundry and not doing much else.

I feel very close to my sisters even though I don't get to see them often. The three of them were born within a five-year period and have always been a part of their own little world. I am several years older. I moved away and got married when Shawna (the youngest) was only three. They have always been "the girls". I've always been the older, normal sister.

 Everyone in my family has a story. There is always something happening. Now one of them is in the absolute unorganized throes of moving and is more scattered than anyone should ever have to be. One has just published a book. (Not me, but I am now working on mine more seriously than ever.) One has just lost the love of her life after a long and terrible illness.  And I am more normal than I even was before. I don't mind being normal, as long as I can also be funny, creative, and whimsical.

As sisters do, we are always giving each other advice. And not often listening to it. As the oldest, I also think I am the wisest. Not always true, of course. They have a lot more life experience then I do. And they have lived and loved in lots more places. I'm the one who has barely moved outside of my original neighborhood. They have all lived on the east coast for many years, and in many different circumstances and places.

Here is my advice. 1. If you are scattered and totally discombobulated, make a list. Concentrate on three things only. Then move on. Do not try to do everything that is in your head at the same time. 2. If there is a secret, make sure that only one person knows it, or it won't be a secret anymore. These things always come out at funerals. Or at the receptions. I still remember the time that we all found out at a funeral dinner that a long-time married aunt and uncle were first cousins.

After the funeral, the rest of the trip was very quiet. No one really wanted to do the usual shopping and visiting we usually fill our time with. We actually binge watched tv, and it was just what everyone needed. We chose a show called "Bad Sisters". It is quite a dark comedy drama, and there have only been two seasons. Two of us made it through all eighteen episodes. It is set in Ireland and involves five sisters who are unsuccessfully trying to commit a terrible crime. Anyone with sisters will identify with parts of it. Hopefully, not the murder parts.

I've always been a bit political. When I was a senior in high school, I was a Senate page in our Iowa legislature. It was a wonderful experience, and I happily missed my last school semester to be able to work at our state capitol. Our session (1967!!) was the longest one and didn't adjourn until July.  We sat on a bench and answered a bell when a senator wanted something. This ranged from taking messages to the governor and other offices, to picking up bills from the library, to getting a candy bar from the lunch room. We each had a shift in the phone room, and took phone messages to them. There was a row of phone booths where they answered their calls. This room was also where all the lobbyists hung out. There was a lot of "wheelin' and dealin' " back then, I think. We also learned a lot about the way the government worked and had weekly sessions where we went over the bills and discussed them.

Of course, there was a lot of fun too. I probably knew about all the nooks and crannies, attics, and secret tunnels in the Capitol building. It was a very innocent time, with no scandals going on that I ever knew about.

In the photo above, I am the shortest one, and I still have the same hairstyle today!

In 2010 I worked at the Legislature again. This time I was one of the telephone operators for the House. Our main job was to transfer phone calls to each of their phones. I think most of the calls went to voice mail and then it was their job to return them. We were in a separate room so I didn't get to see most of the proceedings. We did get to listen to some of the meeting though. I learned a lot about how state governments work. There is so much pressure put on the representatives and senators to vote with the party. There is much more pressure in Congress. They need to be reminded that they are the voice of the people who elected them.

I saved all the daily calendars and papers and put them into a junk journal with photos. It was an interesting way to remember moments of the session. This one was one of the shortest ones and ended after three months.

Over the years I have gone to a few political rallies and protests, but probably not as many as I should. I have so much admiration for the citizens in Minnesota right now. And even more fear. I am afraid for them, and for the immigrants, and for our country. I am afraid for the relationships and friendships that may be damaged beyond repair. I urge everyone to call their legislators and let them know what you think. They document those calls even if you don't speak to them directly.

You are allowed to say, at any point, I can't support this. Even if you did. Even if you were unsure. You can at any point say "this has gone too far." And while the best time to say that was earlier, second best time is now.

(I don't know who said this first. I have seen it several times on the internet. If you know, tell me and I will credit it.)