Independence Day

I got up bright and early to hop to my hometown for the 4th of July
parade before they blocked the streets. The parade always goes by my
parents' house. My brother and sister came later. My baby niece loved
looking at the horses. One horse pulling a wagon had a large gaping
yellow hole in its leg. Against its dark brown skin, it was disgusting.
My sister gasped and prayed someone was tending to that wound. The fire
engine sirens also got my niece's attention.

The theme was Happy Birthday to my hometown. One float had cows eating
hay and a pig in cage. That was different. Floats here are less posh
than the big city floats. They're simply hay racks pulled by a tractor
or pick up truck. A couple of kids dressed in cardboard cake and gift
costumes. There was a dog and goat pulled along the parade route with
the bicycles.

After the parade, we walked up to the park to view the entertainment. A
dance studio did performances and a country music group played after. I
walked the baby who loved the sidewalk. I pushed the stroller around the
park since babies don't sit well. I ran into old schoolmates and spoke
to one. One former classmate acted like she was hiding from me. I smiled
and walked on. If my former classmates have nothing to say to me, then I
have nothing to say to them either. Since my hometown is celebrating 125
years, there was free cake.

My sister glanced at the vendor stands buying a plastic sea urchin ball.
Baby became fussy so she went home to take a nap. After eating half a
bag of kettle corn, I felt ready for a nap. I guess I woke up too early.
Supper came next and I decided to watch a movie until the fireworks. All
there is to see at the park is the raffle drawings and auctions. Today
one raffle is for a painting by the local painter Jerry Ford. Not as
famous as Andy Warhol, but here he is a legend. The auction painting was
a picture of the old depot that no longer exists. My hometown was
founded by the railroad when 3 towns moved its houses here. All that is
left of the former towns are the churches. The depot was torn down and
railroad tracks removed when my Dad was young.

I did the dishes for Mama since chased around doing her committee
duties. After the fireworks, I went home. I have to volunteer tomorrow.
Post later.