HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
 |
| 1958 California Parade |
Did you make any resolutions for the coming year? I've thought long and hard as I started to write this blog for today. Making resolutions that are so easy to break, I didn't because I set goals for myself all the time, not just one day a year. What thinking about the occasion did though was have me contemplating about childhood memories around New Year's Day.
I grew up in Southern California, moved away when I turned nine to Boston, Massachusetts. Not only was there a culture shock, but the weather change, the ocean, and as a child the holidays were different. In particular, parades. My family consisted of four kids, two parents and a dog and we loved to go to parades. Get up early and stake out our place along the street walk, bring food and drinks and have a grand day.
I grew up in Southern California, moved away when I turned nine to Boston, Massachusetts. Not only was there a culture shock, but the weather change, the ocean, and as a child the holidays were different. In particular, parades. My family consisted of four kids, two parents and a dog and we loved to go to parades. Get up early and stake out our place along the street walk, bring food and drinks and have a grand day.
Who doesn’t love a parade? There are different types all around the country. In rural areas, in big cities, and for every kind of occasion, people come up with some excuse to have one. They can be as simple as wagons pulled by animals to the large motorized type in the well-known parades televised on national television.
 |
| 2011 Rose Parade |
Every Thanksgiving, I still love to watch the Macy’s Parade and on New Year's the Rose Parade, which today is televised as a reminder to any one reading this. Every time I watch, I’m thrown back to the times living in California. My first one I attended with my parents when I was two. I don’t remember that much, but definitely by the time I turned four, we attended several a year and became a family tradition. I loved the western riders, the palominos adorned in all their silver studded saddles and bridles, with the young girls wearing the fancy and frilly dresses. To this day, I love horses.
 |
| Mardi Gras 1984 |
The last parade I went to was Mardi Gras, 1984. Now, there’s a parade, or two, or three. There are so many, I don’t know the exact count. But, in a week’s time, there are a lot. At the time, we took our daughter, who was four at the time, and another generation of parade lovers’ was born. This year, I plan to indoctrinate my grand-daughter to watching on television. Don’t know if the experience will be life-altering, but I’ll make it as enjoyable as I can.
So, in celebration of starting my 2012 off right and bringing back those fond childhood memories of parades and family, I’m keeping this blog short, closing my laptop, snuggling up with a hot cocoa and continue the New Year's celebration with my family—doing fun things. That's my resolution for the day. I'll get back to doing what I normally do in the days to come.
I hope you and yours enjoy your day as well, before the rest of the year gets in the way again and we’re back to work, writing and our daily grind.
I hope you and yours enjoy your day as well, before the rest of the year gets in the way again and we’re back to work, writing and our daily grind.
Cynthia Arsuaga
I didn't know you lived in Southern Cali at one time, Cynthia. I'm in Palm Springs. Wouldn't trade it for the world.
ReplyDeleteI tend not to make resolutions. I just keep doing what I always have. Writing 7 days a week, 5 pages a day, taking only Christmas Day off.
It's hectic, but I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing than writing. :)
I took part of New Year's Day off to watch the Mummer's Parade and the last game of the season for the Philadelphia Eagles. Those two events made the day extra special.
ReplyDeleteMy goals for 2012 are to write, write, write new books!
Happy New Year!
Best--Adele
I took part of New Year's Day off to watch the Mummer's Parade and the last game of the season for the Philadelphia Eagles. Those two events made the day extra special.
ReplyDeleteMy goals for 2012 are to write, write, write new books!
Happy New Year!
Best--Adele
I hope to write better than ever.. and to make everyone happy whose lives I cross. Now off to watch theRose Bowl parade a little...Jean
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Cynthia!
ReplyDeleteI've made one New Year's resolution which I can't share with anyone. I usually break my resolutions so I don't make many. I read Adele's comment about the Mummer's. Adele and I are chaptermates in the Valley Forge chapter so we are very familiar with the Mummers. In the 70's my husband and I attended the Mummer's Parade every New Year's day. We had a blast going in and out of bars in Philadelphia. The first time I saw the parade sober I realized what a boring parade it is. I no longer watch it. My husband watched the Eagles yesterday and now he's watching the Flyers. I'm taking a break from writing.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, everyone.
Thanks everyone for stopping by today. I hope you all enjoyed the second day into the new year. Let's make 2012 and banner year!!!
ReplyDeletegreat post (I'm late, sorry). I have 1 resolution:
ReplyDeletenot to make any.
well, that and get more books published and sell more beer!
cheers and happy new year!