Saturday, April 6, 2013

Who Doesn't Love A Parade?



 It was a thing of beauty, that parade, and we all had a marvelous time. Gibson sat so still on his mama's lap, completely overwhelmed, maybe, perhaps tired too, but he bounced and clapped his hands to the bands and the sweetest thing I've ever seen was the way he kissed his Auntie May after it was all over. She asked for a kiss and he gave her one, right on the mouth of course, and then he leaned over and gave me one and then he leaned back into May and then back to me and then he decided that May was the one truly worth kissing and he gave her at least five of the most deliberate, somber, sweet kisses I have ever seen in my life. 

She was so delighted.


And later he smiled for the camera while his Boppy was holding him.


Wenches and beauty queens and school board members alike couldn't help but walk over to the boy and gently slip necklaces over his head. 

Now Owen, he was ALL about it. When we got there he immediately joined up with a pack of other kids and began to play hide-and-seek right on the front sidewalk and they were joyous. When the parade started, he remembered about beads and candy and by the time it was all over, he and his grandfather had collected enough booty to require a shopping bag to put it all in.


The best front row seats you can get. 

Cheryl Hines was the Grand Master and she lead the whole thing, sitting on a white convertible. One of my favorite things about Hank's party is the way the people in the parade react to the party crowd which looks a little like this.


Ms. Cheryl laughed and waved at the group standing up there who were hooting and yelling for her to come and party. She made the "call me" motion with thumb and little finger extended by her ear. I'm sorry I didn't get that one but here's what I did get. 


Here's another lady from the parade reacting to the group.


She knocked me out. It was like while all the other ladies in her group were dressed up with velvet-corseted bosoms and long, flowing skirts, she decided to rock her very own style. And I dug it.

Here's the Jefferson County (where I live) Watermelon Queen. Had to snap that one.


They kept to the far side of the street. One doesn't blame them.

Here's a darling little cutie. She looked so proud to be in the parade wearing her gown and long white gloves. 


And what can you say? It ain't a parade in the south without some beauty queens, without some sort of faux royal court. 

Here's one of our Real, True Royal Court.


TOGI!
After I took the picture I said, "Bloggable?"
"Always," he answered. 
Togi's latest Facebook offering is this quote of his: "So science says I evolved from apes but I'm pretty sure I evolved from heterosexuals."
Togi is pretty much the main reason I visit Facebook. 

So yes, it was a fabulous parade party. Oh! And there was food! Of course. And a keg of beer somewhere I think. One of these years I'm going to make Bloody Mary's and take a thermos. Maybe. I still needed a nap this afternoon and all I drank was water. 

Here's the big, posed picture after the whole thing was over, when the police cars and motorcycles and Shriners and beauty queens and City Commissioners and marching bands and movie stars and Various Krews and Kings and Queens had passed and left us all to the glory of a completely blue-skyed gorgeous day. 


I'm so glad we went. 

And oh! I'm not leaving for Asheville until Monday morning. Lis had a gig today and just couldn't work out the logistics of fitting everything for that into the car along with all her cake-baking equipment and clothes. No big deal. 

Thanks for coming along, y'all.

So much love...Ms. Moon

14 comments:

  1. It does look like fun! What a trip!

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  2. Who indeed! Fun times.

    I hope the critter is gone by the time you get back from your trip.

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  3. Elizabeth- It was a sweet, good time. The cool thing is that Hank's house is right at the beginning of the parade so all of the participants are fresh and happy and still have plenty of beads and candy. I think you would like it.

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  4. Denise- Nah. That critter LIVES up there. Somewhere. Above my head. Tromp. Tromp. Tromp.

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  5. Looks so fun! What a great crowd, and so glad to see your May too.

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  6. My daughter was with her students (Godby High School band) and when they got toward the end of the parade route some guy dressed up in a Batman costume started marching along with them! They had a great time.

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  7. I'm so shy to write, Mary Moon, but this post made me so happy to come out of my shell. Spring has arrived in Asheville, but bring a sweater, it gets chilly at night. I'd love to run into you on the street, but it would probably freak us both out.

    While I'm at it, I have say I just love Billy and Elvis and pretty much the "things you read". I always come here first and then go from there.

    Jaime

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  8. How cool that Hank lives where he does so as to get front row seats to this parade. It seems like a hoot. And that picture of Gibson and May -- she is so pretty. And Mr Moon with Gibson and those beads around his neck... love. What are you wearing to Jesse's wedding? Nothing like coming out of left field... Sweet Jo

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  9. Looks like a great time. Parades are so silly unless you have kids along. Then they're silly AND fun.

    Are you in that photo, or did you take it?

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  10. one of the first houses we looked at looks just like your hank's house!

    so glad you all had a great time. i can't wait to hear about the wedding :D



    xxalainaxx

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  11. I love the new header photo. And I love a parade, especially when after enjoying it, I can leave the bustling crowd and unwind in a place like your header photo.

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  12. SJ- She is looking so good, isn't she?

    Lois- There seemed to be a surplus of super heroes this year which Owen very much enjoyed.

    Jaime- Hello! I am so glad you got over your shyness enough to write. Don't be shy. Not a soul here ever bites. And yes, it is disconcerting for me when I run into people who know me from the blog. It hardly ever happens but when it has, it's been a little strange. But nice, too.

    Sweet Jo- I am not even SURE what I'm wearing to the wedding. Can you believe that? We shall see.

    Steve- I took it!

    Mrs. A- Hank's house is about as big as a pin. But not that tidy.

    Angella- I agree. Our family sure does. Thank goodness we have him! And we're so lucky- we got the ORIGINAL!

    Nancy- I am blessed to live with the beauty of this place and honey, I sure don't take it for granted.

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  13. Every year I think that this party must be a real blast. Hank is a cool dude.

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.