Monday #15

It's Groundhog Monday! If I can find, and kiss Andie McDowell, it'll be only 5 more workdays til the weekend.  Seems like only 3 weeks since the last one.

If, as Tuna suggested, blogger had a sarcasm font, the next paragraph would be using it, in bold, underline and italics.  Be forewarned!

I love this time of year!  There's a strong sense of anticipation in the students and teachers coupled with an intent to do their best in every endeavor.  There's a calmness that descends upon the district as school starts and faculty and students settle into the learning routine.  Patience is abundant and an understanding of what's important and what's not is widespread.  As I said, I LOVE this time of year.

So, take that for what it's worth.  School has started and "it is, what it is!".  With enough blood pressure meds, and rum, we will get through.

But, the first week does have one blessing 'round here.  It's only 4 days long as the Friday is always County Fair weekend, and the County Fair always starts with a parade.

Yep, you got it.  I'm relying on Parade pics to cover my lack of pithy political commentary and soulful analysis of the way of things in the world.  You lucky dogs, you!

Parade start is at the trees on the left behind the old Marine's ball cap.

The parade is a down and back.  It starts at the courthouse heads east 3 blocks to the Nimitz Museum, turns around and heads west for 7 blocks just under a mile and a half.  The turnaround for some of the floats is a sight to see.  

Temperature at kickoff was a balmy 80 degrees with 86 percent humidity.  Our rain gauge showed 10 inches over the last week.  I haven't seen our hay looking this deep green in August ever.  While I pray for the folks in Baton Rouge, I was glad to see us get some.  But....It was humid!

Refreshing Ice Cold beverages! (It's a civilized town)

The parade started precisely at 10AM, led off by the NJROTC detachment from the HS.  Not because they're particularly prompt, but TXDOT only allows us to block traffic on the main street (a major US Highway) for 1 hour.

The color guard did a very presentable job for being high schoolers.  Their Captain is a Hawkeye backender, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't his doing.

Pride of the Texas Hill Country

The Colors were followed by the HS Band, playing some marching music as they went by.

A mile and a half walking backwards builds some hefty calf muscles

It's always nice to see a marching band. Especially when you know most of the kids in it.  Lot's of hootin' and hollerin' from the sidelines as it went by.

Drummer Addy helps with Mrs. Juvat's store (when she's not keeping the band in step)

Next, I was sure OldNFO was on the next entrant.

The next two entries were from the Texas Ranger Heritage center

Alas, not him.

I don't think OldNFO has lost this much weight!

So, maybe he couldn't make it.

 Current County Fair Court

There was quite a bit of gasping at this float, all bedecked in Maroon.  Seems most of the gaspers preferred burnt orange.  I thought it was a FINE float!

Contenders to ride the float next year.

There were a lot of antiques in the parade.  As this fire truck drove by, a friend of mine seated next to us (on his pickup tailgate) remarked to his grandkid how OLD the truck was.  He's my age.  I looked at him and mentioned that it was made after we were, so lets be careful with our words.

1965

Speaking of old, there was an old Bat in the parade.

From the Old Railroad Tunnel Bat Cave

And her Bat Dog.

What are you laughing at juvat?  At least I don't have to walk!

Then the tractors started.

The wife said "NO!"

 Rats!

Still upright, backwards and in step.

The band made the turn.

Then came the Shriners, or as I like to call them "Old farts having too much fun".

A new venue in town

This is a new way to tour the town.  In the middle is a large cooler filled with beer and wine.  You drink while providing the locomotive power via bicycle pedals along the side.  Seems popular, but...no thanks.

The statement originated in Texas

There was some political statements made.

"The best little band in Texas"

Then the other HS in the County brought their band by.

Recruiting volunteer fire fighters early these days.

Another frequent sight at Texas Parades, the mounted Posse.

From Parker County just west of Ft Worth.

This time I was positive OldNFO had made it.  The Posse's from his neck of the woods, (Texas standards, not RI standards), and the Mustache is a dead giveaway.

I'm jealous

OldNFO is pretty stealthy.  I yelled out his name and he just looked at me kinda puzzled like.

Not sure how a T-Rex sells Country and Western Radio, but what do I know?

Evidently there's a follow on career in the parade industry for retired Air Force.  Ya hear that, Sarge?  Something to look forward to.

  Mrs. Juvat is giving my future career choice a high five.

Then came this group.

From Palo Pinto County (the county just west of Parker County)

The unit won Best in Parade, and wasn't shy about letting everyone know.  

This vehicle and I have something in common, and my friend on the next didn't say anything this time.

The Nimitz museum had their entries.

Trigger discipline is important even if the weapon is inop.

More Shriners

These guys really were having fun!

Old farts having WAY too much fun!

Add caption

A float advertising for Oktoberfest (the first weekend in October, the town is crowded, but it's a lot of fun).

Float advertising the burgeoning local wine industry

The Texas Hill Country is now the second largest Wine destination in the country (some place named Knappy or something like that is first. )  Seems like there's wineries going up all over.

Das ist Alles!

And this group, a local trail ride association, brought up the rear.

Well, except for the young lady who had to scoop up Equine you know what.  She paid extra for that, I'm sure!