A Buzz About a Parade I Didn't Attend!

There was a parade today. I didn’t go. The girls and I used to go every year! We'd arrive an hour early to get a spot to sit. After getting situated, we might get in line for a funnel cake, a cinnamon roll and some hot chocolate or coffee. The parade starts at 10:30 AM. Some years the beginning would be marked by a jet speeding overhead, fast and excitingly LOUD followed by whoops, cheers and shrieks! Some years a few small planes, old bi-planes or little trick planes would pass overhead to signal the parade’s beginning. Cheers followed but the noisy excitement of a loud jet was missing!

I’m not sure what type of aircraft flew for opening the parade today. I didn’t stay around. As a matter of fact, I headed out of town after taking Christine to meet with her sister and family. I was relishing the thought of going the opposite direction of the crowds heading to Main Street. McDonalds would be slow and I could drive-thru quickly and be on my way. That was not the case! I was surprised! At 5 minutes till parade time, McDonalds was abuzz with last minute drive-thru business! What!? I wanted to shout, “What are you people doing here? What are you thinking? The parade will start in 5 minutes! You’ll miss the beginning! You’ll miss the aircraft! You may even miss your kids marching with their school band! Do you think you can just rush to Main Street, get a place to park and a place to sit? The main streets have already been blocked off and downtown is nearly overflowing with people! Get going!” 
I’d never been to the opposite side of town at parade time. Maybe it’s always like this. I asked the lady at the drive-thru a stupid question. “Has it been wildly busy all morning?“ She smiled and said, “It’s been crazy all morning and it will be crazier after the parade!” When I got to the next window to pick up my food, the young man gave me my iced coffee with light sweetener and sausage McMuffin, then he asked as he reached forward with an extra cup, “Would you also like a warm mocha because we accidentally made an extra.” “Sure!” is how I answered and buzzed is how I now feel after all that caffeine. I came home to work like a busy bee and now that I’m all abuzz, I’m going to get busy!

Here's a photo from the "All School's Day Parade" several years ago.

Christine holding baby niece Naomi sitting beside friend, Molli!