Remember Memorial Day?

Memorial Day has come round again. Like last year, we went into town and watched the parade. We ran into friends and joined them sitting on the grass at the side of the road, and the children did their best to look appealing in the hopes of collecting extra candy. The Boy even went so far as to wave a little American flag someone gave him, a thing he would never normally do because 'we are not even Americans'.

Veterans went by, to general applause. Then there were classic Fifties cars, the Shriners in their fezzes driving go-carts, marching bands ancient and modern, local sports teams and Girl and Boy Scouts of various sizes. And fire engines a-plenty, polished to a mirror finish for the occasion. It was a good little community parade.

For the afternoon we mostly hung out at home, gardening and such, enjoying the sunshine and listening to the sound of neighbours out in their yards. National Public Radio (being pernickety about these things) won't agree, but for the rest of America the summer starts here.