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January 2nd, Parade Day!

The first Monday Memory of the year, enjoy!

Memory: The Day Mom Ran Away!  It was Christmas time, and the tree was loaded with presents.  Paul was about eight years old and wrote Santa about wanting a Tonka Toy Dump Truck.  One of the packages under the tree was big, so Paul kept his eye on it.  At least PAul could not shoot his eye out with a dump truck!

One afternoon, mom said, “You be a good boy and stay away from the presents under the tree.  I am going across the street to Thema’s for a few minutes”.  Paul responded with, “Yes, Mom, I will.”

Well, as soon as she departed the front door and Paul was sure she went into Thelma’s house, he headed for that big package, ripped it open, and drove the Tonka Truck around the living room making big truck sounds.  Paul kept his eye on Thelma’s front door the entire time.

All of a sudden, Paul spotted Thema’s front door opening; Mom was on her way back.  Oh, dear!!  Paul quickly put the truck into the box and re-wrapped it.  It looked like it had been hit by a Greyhound Bus!  This was not good!

Mom asked, “Did you open the box?”  Paul  responded with, “It was a big green monster that opened it!”  Mom reminded me that I was not supposed to touch the packages, then announced,  “I am running away!”  I thought she was teasing, but then she went to her bedroom, threw a bunch of random clothes into the suitcase, and proceeded to walk out the front door.

Paul panicked!  Paul remembers running down the street after her yelling, “Mommy, please don’t run away.  I will never touch another present again!  I promise!!” She kept on going! How was Paul going to explain this to his Dad?

After walking about eight houses down the street with me pleading, beseeching, imploring, begging, and otherwise obsecrating,  she stopped, turned around, and said, “Are you sure?”

To this very day, seventy years later, Paul never picks up, shakes, sniffs, disturbs, perturbs, ruffles, agitates, rattles, jiggles, swings, or touches any wrapped gift, especially if it is under the Christmas tree!”  Mom was pretty clever!  I miss her!

We got up early so we could watch the pre-parade activities on Channel Five, which turned out to be quite interesting.  We watched the parade for the entire two hours.

We rolled in the 50″ TV into the breakfast room and watched the parade as we ate.

We snapped this picture to show the friends who helped decorate the float.

We have friends who decorated the Elks float this year.

As soon as the parade was over, Scout decided to ask if we were voting for his friend, Barky!  Now we know why!!

Scout is beginning to show interest in politics!

The drizzle stopped for a couple of hours, so we hit the Swim Spa for a good hour soak in the hot water.  We watched a movie and then crashed,

About Paul

Just an old retired guy trying to finish out my last years on this planet. I lost my best friend and wife in early 2020. I was blessed again by reconnecting with Dr. Mary Côté, a long-time friend. Mary and I got married July 28th, 2021, and are enjoying life together and plan to spend the rest of our lives being a blessing to our friends and family.
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