Yep folks, there are reasons we live in Southern California. OK so we had rain for three days and mudslides ALWAYS follow wildfires - duh! But, come on! There are actually people who feel sorry for those of us who are planted here. They act as though we are either just too stupid to leave or that we're in some sort of purgatory. They're afraid of earthquakes and would 'NEVER be able to stand it here'. I guess it's all relative but I can't imagine sitting around in a bathtub with a mattress over my head just WAITING for a trip to Oz. And then, let's not forget the weirdos who live here - you know, the fruits and nuts? I guess we're some of 'em because we'd take it all with a side of earthquakes now and then to be near all the great things we have here. Of course, we frequent Disneyland, the zoos, aquarium and Sea World as regulars but we've got great museums, botanical gardens, theatres and incredible and diverse cultural experiences. We don't have enough time to expose our girls to it all as fast as we'd like so we try to take it as it comes. There is, quite literally, an event of interest every weekend.
This weekend we took advantage of one 
of the first events of the year. Though we are years away from bundling up for a night on Colorado Blvd. with the girls, we can still go see the main attraction - the floats! Dad had to pretend that he didn't get held up at a signal the night before as the floats drove through our neck of the woods to Pasadena and he was a good sport. Since we all had been sick from Christmas on, it was nice to get out in the crisp, January - feel sorry for us again here- 68 degree day.
As always, the parade entries were beautiful and amazing and made mom long for those Christmas weeks in high school and college when she spent dawn 'til dusk in the float barns. (She only recently came to the realization that, while she and her friends were having the time of their lives, they were really giving their parents a break while school was out of session) They didn't have to worry about us as long as they didn't know how high on the scaffolds we were. Anyway, it's hard to be walking around the floats and not comment from experience - we all hate those people who try to let everyone know how much they know, right? At least there was an excuse in Hallie asking mom 'what made all the different colors' and 'how they get the plants like that'. She thought it was particularly funny when she learned that mom spent a good week coming home with calluses from cutting straw flowers and onion seeds glued to her socks (and they NEVER come out). It also is hard to see the floats
as new when the frame is recognizable as a float from your decorating past. Ahh, but the photos from 1985-1991 show the truth (and the trophies!) All in all, it's a one of a kind experience to be part of the Tournament of Roses in any way. So, pity us - and our shaky sunshine - if you must, but we will always look forward to any time when we can be up close and personal to one of our many great and unique 'SoCal' opportunities. (Nobody who lives here says that, by the way)
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