Everyone Loves a Parade

Happy 4th of July Greendale,

We true, blue Americans really know how to celebrate our national holidays don't we? Labor Day, Memorial Day, July 4th and Thanksgiving are all replete with fireworks, parades picnics camaraderie and family togetherness. I'm sure other nations have their own special celebrations too but only in America do we top off these memorable days with FANTASTIC SUPER SPECIAL PRICE SLASHING SALES! I defy other countries to come close to our amazing consumerism. Makes a person just puff up with pride doesn't it.

Our little Village goes all out with colorful banners, flags, food tents a parade and fireworks. Folks all dressed up in patriotic colors. Little girls with red white and blue streaks in their hair. Brightly decorated bicycles and even pets with sparkly collars. Expectations start when the Public Works Department sets out the temporary trash barrels and the road blocks for the parade.

I have my own little tradition. Every year on July 3rd, I search high and low for my lighted, red sequined shirt with a beaded flag and embroidered representations of Americana (a rhinestone baseball, a slice of apple pie and a dangling gee-gaw reading MOM.) I wear it to the parade being careful not to sit in the sun since the reflections of the sequined beading tend to frighten the horses. Since it's been a year since I last wore it, I will have to steam out the wrinkles. To do that, I must first locate my iron and blow the cobwebs off of it. The whole process is tiring but well worth it.

Another big day is in the offing. On Monday, the concealed carry gun law will be signed. I have already sewed a holster onto my corset to hold my mother's pearl handled derringer from the 1920s. I know that my children have voiced concerns. They cite my problems with cataracts, a touch of glaucoma, a slight hand tremor and an exaggerated startle reflex. But, I'm sure it's the right decision for me. What with all the egging going on in my neighborhood, I feel I must protect my property.

It is called Sugar and Flour and will specialize in cookies and pies. Yum.

The arch would help guide people between Southridge and Village Center. I would hazard a guess that it will be somewhat smaller than the one in St. Louis and more decorative than the McDonald's arch. Another suggestion has been raised up the flagpole regarding a trolly service between Southridge and the village but that sounds a little pricey to me.

I think we all agree that nothing draws tourists like a newly paved parking lot.

If you were driving past the football field this week and wondered what was going on there.

Some of our high school students are broadening their horizons with a trip to Germany in some sort of  exchange program. I'm sure it's a one of a kind learning experience.

He is Robert Malasuk who was performing the duties of an acting chief during the search. Good luck chief!

Let's not forget the Garden Tour which will be held in the "C" section this year on Saturday, July 9. People put in a lot of effort to make sure their gardens are spectacular so it's always worth a look-see.

It seems that Gump the cat has inherited some street smarts from his rogue father (who I've spied slinking about the neighborhood wreaking havoc and breeding indiscriminately).  Gump has figured out how to manipulate the latch on the door leading to the porch where squirrels and birds congregate. Due to his considerable girth, the latch no longer works. In order to secure the door, I have to shore it up with a pile of bricks. Either that or be prepared to come home to a porchful of beaks, feathers and squirrel fur.

Well that's about all for this week.