November 3 cannot come soon enough! I know I complain about the ads every election season, but my goodness, they have gotten so bad!

Mud-slinging political opponents is certainly not a new concept. But there actually was a time when at least a grain of respect and dignity was still maintained. It seems nowadays someone running for public office builds their entire campaign around how awful they can make their opponents look. Here’s a novel idea - how about candidates tell the voters where they stand on the issues and what they plan to do to make our lives better, and let us decide who to elect based on that! Hmmm… And now, with AI and all the “fake news” being generated, especially on social media, you can hardly believe anything you read or hear anyway. It is no wonder so many Americans are choosing to not go to the polls - they are exhausted and confused. But not voting isn’t a good option either. I try to just find a source I trust, which admittedly is getting more difficult, glean what information I can, and choose the candidates who most closely align with my values and beliefs. I guess that’s about the best we can do.

To help maintain my sanity during this noisy election season, I take a reprieve from watching a lot of news and turn instead to reading or watching mindless programs such as House Hunters or Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives - two of my favorites. I also love sports. How ‘bout them Huskers?

The loss to Indiana on Saturday was a heartbreaker, as that game was ours to win. That said, this is the best I’ve seen us play in years. These days, though, when I hear Husker athletics, I think volleyball. I have followed Husker volleyball for years and have watched a lot of great players come and go, but this year’s core of seniors is, in my opinion, the best group of players on one team ever. Harper Murray, Andi Jackson, and Bergen Reilly are arguably one of the best trios to ever come out of college women’s volleyball.

Our closest friends are big NFL fans but don’t follow college sports much. They say NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) has changed the game too much. I agree that paying college athletes has taken away from the spirit of the sport. The almighty dollar seems to rule everything - from sports to politics.

So I just do the best I can do at trying to be kind to others and maintain my peace and joy. Of course, that is easier some days than others. But on Nov. 4, my friends, neighbors, and family members will still be my friends, neighbors, and family members. I’ve learned that things seldom really are as bad as we imagine them to be.

So this week I encourage you to take a break from social media and the news to give your mind and soul a little reset. And by the way, the Lady Huskers play Northwestern tonight (Oct. 15) at 7 p.m. GBR!