Memorial Day when I was growing up included a big parade up Washington Street in Coventry, Rhode Island.
Uncle Rollo would put on his admiral's uniform with all the gold "scrambled eggs" on the visor of his hat and join Benjamin Franklin Tefft and the other two members of the Kentish Guard who were still alive for a ride from Anthony Green to the Town Hall.
They all rode in a covertible waving to the crowds of children, parents, and teenagers lining both sides of the paved road. This was the big time in Coventry.
I don't remember if we had a mayor back then. But I do remember people riding horses, a clown tossing candy to the kids, and my mother and father sitting on lawn chairs with Hopie Hall watching the entire parade from start to finish.
In 8th grade I marched in the parade with the school band playing my flute. My previous public performance was a recitation of "I have a red umbrella," at the Phenix Methodist Church where my grandfather belonged and his sister Marion ran the sunday school. I think I was 5.
These days, I'm not looking for parades. A quiet day at home will do just fine thanks. It's been a while since a weekend arrived with no tasks to do. Well, I could mow the lawn, I guess. Or fire up the grill with tofu pups and veggies.
But the most fun is just sitting out on the deck writing and drinking iced tea and petting Scout. Wanna come over?
We'll think of something to toss on the fire, maybe all my old manuscripts from the MFA program, which started in 1990 when Sean was 10. Now he's going to be 28 in September. Hard to believe. And those manuscripts . . . the fire is waiting.
Uncle Rollo would put on his admiral's uniform with all the gold "scrambled eggs" on the visor of his hat and join Benjamin Franklin Tefft and the other two members of the Kentish Guard who were still alive for a ride from Anthony Green to the Town Hall.
They all rode in a covertible waving to the crowds of children, parents, and teenagers lining both sides of the paved road. This was the big time in Coventry.
I don't remember if we had a mayor back then. But I do remember people riding horses, a clown tossing candy to the kids, and my mother and father sitting on lawn chairs with Hopie Hall watching the entire parade from start to finish.
In 8th grade I marched in the parade with the school band playing my flute. My previous public performance was a recitation of "I have a red umbrella," at the Phenix Methodist Church where my grandfather belonged and his sister Marion ran the sunday school. I think I was 5.
These days, I'm not looking for parades. A quiet day at home will do just fine thanks. It's been a while since a weekend arrived with no tasks to do. Well, I could mow the lawn, I guess. Or fire up the grill with tofu pups and veggies.
But the most fun is just sitting out on the deck writing and drinking iced tea and petting Scout. Wanna come over?
We'll think of something to toss on the fire, maybe all my old manuscripts from the MFA program, which started in 1990 when Sean was 10. Now he's going to be 28 in September. Hard to believe. And those manuscripts . . . the fire is waiting.
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Thank you for commenting! I appreciate it. I'll get back to you as soon as I can! Peace, Meredith