Welcome to Independence Day, America.
I woke up when my alarm went off at 8, went to the bathroom and saw it was raining. So I figured that takes care of the Parade today, so I went back to bed. I woke up again at 9:17, and looked out the window. It was overcast but had stopped raining. So I thought, eh, maybe the parade's on.
Mom had told me it started at 10:00am, so I had to get moving. I hurriedly showered and dressed, although didnt bother to shave (it was my day of independence from shaving!), and then, making sure I grabbed an umbrella headed out.
I walked to Rutters for coffee and a breakfast wrap and then walked to mom's. By the time I had finished the wrap, but not the coffee, and she was ready to go, it was like 9:54. I told her we were going to be late. She scoffed and said the parade's not gonna get to where we stand that quickly. We each picked up one of her folding chairs, she got an umbrella and we started walking over.
Even with as slow as she walks now, it still took us less than ten minutes to get there. But, about halfway there, it started raining. So we put up the umbrellas. Carrying an open umbrella, a mug of coffee and a folding chair was no easy feat, I assure you. As we walked through a church parking lot, I mentioned how empty it was, and it's always full when there's a parade. I told her it's probably canceled. But continue on we did.
When we got to our usual spots, there were about three other people there, under umbrellas. And no sign of my aunt, who was supposed to be there. So mom called her. It was then, at about 10:10 that we discovered, from my aunt, that the parade started at 10:30, not 10:00. But since we were there, we decided to stay. Check us out:
Mom, in her chair, under her umbrella, braving the rain, waiting on the parade, with no crowds to block her view.
Me, thinking, "It doesn't start for another 20 minutes...it's ALWAYS an adventure when you do something with Mama Polt".
Oooh, look at the crowds anxiously awaiting the parade. From the clock tower you can tell it's like 10:10 or so.
Anyway, it soon stopped raining (and did not rain for the remainder of the parade), and then people came out to line the parade route. And my aunt, cousin, her husband, and Lil Chris all showed up. And we watched the Parade. Since Lil Chris is just turned two years old, this was his first parade he got to watch in person. He stayed glued to the same spot, just watching everything go by. He wouldn't go out and get the candy, but the people around us had kids, that got all of it, and they gave some to him. And the people passing out the flags left the road itself to step over and give him a flag directly. (as I've witnessed multiple times at the Gay Pride Parade, little kids get ALL the goodies!) Near the end, as a fire truck let loose it's horn and it scared him, he wanted his mom to hold him. And then, it was over.
Mommy holding Lil Chris as the fire trucks went by. He still waved to them though.
Lil Chris enjoying the parade, flag in hand.
He finally turned around so I could get a shot of him.
After this, mom and I made our way back home, she was making burgers and dogs on the grill and had other goodies. This is what my plate looked like:
Mom's baked beans, mom's burger from the grill, mac salad from a local store, pickles from a jar and chips I brought. Delicious. Also, this is what I had for supper later in the day, albeit, without the beans.
As I hadn't been feeling the greatest, still had those rumbley stomach issues, I didn't stay long at her place. I also prefer to use the toilet in my own home, if at all possible. I stayed here and read my book and was online.
Later in the afternoon, mom called to say my other cousins were visiting her, and Morgan was there. Since it was his first July 4th ever, I wanted to see him. (well that and the fact he's adorable as all get out!) So I drove back to her house. I hung out with mom, my cousin Tracy, her son Morgan, my cousin Trish, and he son Cam. I dont think I was there for much more than an hour, cause as I said, my stomach and all. But i enjoyed the time spent with them, although I forgot to take any pics.
I returned home and the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening just read. I finished up the book I was reading and started another one, a Doctor Who book. And then I watched a bit of TV.
As I don't DO fireworks (see the post below), about 8:30, I went upstairs, got a shower, turned on the fan and a/c in the bedroom and laid down to read for a while. The noise was muted by the fan, a/c and room being shut up, but I still heard a little of it. And then, I went to sleep.
POLT
No comments:
Post a Comment