City Life vs Small Town Living

I talked with a friend of mine tonight. We were trying to find a time we can get together. He lives in the big city - I don't. Our conversation went like this.

Him: "Let's get together soon. I checked our calendar and we can't get together Saturday night because we're going to our friend (the author's) wine tasting party. What about Saturday afternoon?"

Me: "Can't do it - I'm going to a road opening"

Him: (laughing as a big city dude would) "You can't go because you're doing what?

Me: "Going to a road opening. Before they open the road, they're going to have a party with live music and games and things. I've never been to a road opening, so I want to go." What about Sunday evening?

Him: "No, we have an art exhibit we're going to. We were invited by the President of the Art League personally. What about Sunday before noon?

Me: "That won't work. The new grocery store is opening and I want to be there early to get the freebies they'll be handing out and to try out the different foods they'll have out to taste. This is the first new grocery store within 15 miles of my house, so I want to check it out." What about Tuesday evening, after work?

Him: "I'll check but I think we might have to go to the book signing that our author friend will be doing. What about Thursday evening?

Me: "That's $1.50 beer night here and I always go with some friends. I hate to miss that. How about sometime next month?"

Him: "We'll check our calendar. Let's get together soon".

I hated to tell him that next month we have our Duck races, flea market, first run movie at our walk-in outdoor theater, 1/2 price day at the thrift store and rodeo. Small town life may be lacking in some areas but we make up for it in "you're doing what?" events. I sure hope we can find some time to get to the big city.

Team Jacob or Team Edward?

OK, so I'm old enough to be their mother - who waited to have children until it was almost too late - but I can still admire their, uh, acting.

I just got back from seeing the 3rd movie in the Twilight series, "Eclipse" and I have to say that my loyalties are changing. The first 2 moves, it was Team Edward, all the way. He's the brooding, tall, thin-lipped, James Dean-like guy. For those of you who don't remember James Dean - Google him and you'll see what I mean. Edward is the love-struck Vampire who can't get enough of Bella - not her blood, but her, well I don't know what he sees in her really. She's moody, mumbles, and I don't think she's changed her jeans through 3 movies.

Anyway, after tonight, I am now Team Jacob. Yes, part of it has to do with the fact that he spent lots of movie time without his shirt - but he had his muscles to keep him - and me - warm. By the way, he's 18 now so it's legal to look at him. He even went shirtless in the snow. He was also strong because he carried Bella through the woods, up hills and across the frozen tundra and was still able to say his lines without breathing heavily.

Edward has been known to carry Bella on his back as he flew through the woods, but I don't think that counts as strong. He's not human - vampire, remember - so he can do non-human things pretty well. He's very nice looking but is a skinny little thing. If he was human, Bella would have had to have lost at least 15 pounds before he could have attempted to pick her up. And no way could he have climbed a hill without dropping her - forget talking and walking - no way. Sorry Charlie.

Now, in spite of my complaints, I still like Edward. He seems to be the better sweet-talker and kisser of the two, so that gives him a few more points. I understand that there are 2 more sequels in the works so I could change my mind again.

But tonight, Jacob's chest, errr acting, wins my vote.

Parade-mania

We love going to the parades in our little town. It's not that they have wildly decorated floats or lots of marching bands, but they do have - Candy! A car, float or even person walking in the parade will get hoots and applause if they throw candy!

I was very happy when my grandson was born a couple of years ago because it looks so much better grabbing the candy off of the streets and from slow-moving children, if you have a baby in your arms. Pointing to the child and to their mouth makes everyone think the candy is for them. OK, maybe not, but they can't help but smile and throw candy my way when I hold up that chubby little angel.

This year he was old enough to go after his own (and our) candy and he was very skilled at it. He would run out quickly, grab a few pieces, rush back to his bucket (which happened to be a 5 gallon can) and then head back for more. If someone in the parade passed without throwing out the desired sweets, he would put his hands out to his sides and with a puckered lip say "Where's the candy?"

It is not as if any of us really wanted all of that candy - except for the Tootsie Rolls, it was more the challenge of getting the most we could get. If the candy was exceptional, one of the adults would almost tackle someone else's child to grab it while apologizing for the need to get a piece of my grandson's "favorite" candy. Oh the web we weave - when it comes to candy.

This year we heard there was an ordnance against throwing beads or candy (which no one adhered to thank goodness) so one float decided to follow the letter of the law - and throw little rocks. We of course, had to pick those up, also. I think that if someone dropped their trash, we would all be scurrying to get a piece.

We do pay our respect to each and every person, vehicle, animal and float in the parade by clapping, because without them, there would be no candy.