"It was imprudent of us, in the first place, to become authors. We could have become something regular, but we managed not to.
We were lucky, but we were also determined." Roy Blount Jr

"I don’t change the facts to enhance the drama. I think of it the other way round, the drama has got to fit the facts,
and it’s your job as a writer to find the shape in real life."
Hilary Mantel

Saturday, July 19, 2008

The Parade

Major thunderstorm last night. Many inches of much-needed rain came down, in buckets.

Today was bright but muggy. I was up and out fairly early for me (on a Saturday)--headed to the cottage to return some laundry and take care of a couple of things. On the way up and on the way down I passed the spot where the terrible auto accident took place. Somebody--one of our parishioners, I'm sure--tied a bouquet of sunflowers to the spot where our beloved church member lost her life. Even without that, it was clear an accident had occurred there.

This morning I searched the newspaper local section for her obituary and didn't find it...because there was a front-page story about her, and the wonderful work she did for her community and our church. Her family and friends did a lovely job of sharing what made her special--her smile, her warmth, her willingness. The photo accompanying the piece was one I'd taken, capturing that smile.

She was on her way home from doing her usual Thursday visit to the hospital, where she was a pastoral care volunteer, reading to and chatting with patients and brightening their day.

From the cottage I went to the nearby town that celebrates Old Home Days this weekend. Yes, it's Parade Season, and all candidates seeking re-election or election were participating in the parade.

The four incumbent reps in my district rode in our award-winning ginormous 1970 Cadillac convertible. It was appropriately decorated:



My political peeps and me.



The start of the parade.



The theme this year was South of the Border, so lots of Mexican-style floats. Love that piƱata!



Local draft horses. Or as we say in these parts, "pullin' hosses."



A gorilla matador.



The Players were decked out as Mexican dancers.



It's a long, long parade and we smiled and waved the whole time. People were very nice, waving and clapping and some called out nice comments. Even people we don't know!

Not as many floats this year (petrol prices) and not quite as many spectators as last year (weather was hot and humid but there was a breeze, and plenty of shady places for people to sit along Main Street and the other streets.

Our caddy got overheated, and just as the parade was ending started spewing and smoking. We let it cool down and fed it water and it responded.

Today's crop of thunderstorms is on the way. The warning on the radio puts the Lodge inside the target area.


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