Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Wednesday Gratitude #16: Heart and Home Parades, Pipes and Pretty Views.

                        

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul." - Henry Ward Beecher




Hi everyone. I'm glad you're here! I hope you had a wonderful, fun and restful weekend this Memorial Day.

If you're joining Wednesday Gratitude, be sure to give the address of your actual Gratitude post, and link back to Heart and Home in your post. And, remember, leave a comment, and try to visit other participants, too!



This was the scene in our small town this weekend.
Don't you just love a traditional, small-town parade?
I'm grateful to live in a place where patriotic holidays are celebrated with flair and exuberance.
We enjoyed the pageantry and the excitement of the participants as they marched by.



Some more than others.
There were a few spectators with fingers in their ears when these skirted marchers passed!
Most of the ear-shielders were under the age of five.
But I did notice some adults cringing when the pipes went by.
I'm always pleased and thankful when I have the chance to hear the bagpipes played in the parade.
I do love a good bagpipe!
Sadly, I realize it's not a love shared by all!




On the other hand, the fancy vintage cars were a hit with most everyone.
A funny sounding horn on a car is okay, I guess.
I'm thankful we have a right to our own opinions!


After the parade we spent a lot of time in the garden, working our fingers to the bone.
I'll show you what we did in a future post. I was inspired with a fabulous idea, but the ground around here is rock-hard in some places.
Especially the places I wanted my "art installation" to go. I needed help!
We (as in: my husband) worked very hard to make my vision (that sounds arty, right?) a reality.
I'm thankful for his support and encouragement.
And his ability to hammer things into rock-hard ground without complaining.

When we finished, we (as in: both of us, even though he worked much harder than I did) enjoyed our  reward:  lounging on the hammock.

I'm extremely thankful for the hammock, the opportunity to enjoy it, and the gorgeous view from our deck.


I love listening to the birds and the wind rustling through the tree tops.
The rhythm of the lawn sprinkler, the field being mowed next door, horses clip-clopping by on the street below, dogs barking and children laughing, are the sounds of summer around here.



I'm grateful for long summer days, spent outside with people I love, doing satisfying work.
And then reaping the benefits of a deserved break, swinging in the hammock.



I'm linking to Outdoor Wednesday, at A Southern Daydreamer. Thank you Susan!


Until next time
XO
Heidi

13 comments:

Diann @ the Thrifty Groove said...

Hi Heidi!

I was going to link up but I don't see the Mr. linky. Is he just hiding from me?

Unknown said...

i love parades, i haven't heard bagpipes in real life (only in movies) and i like the sound. i envy you for your hammock. great pictures.

Ebie said...

I love the sounds of the bagpipes. and the hammock is just a perfect place to relax!

Looks like a successful Memorial Day event!

Gypsy Heart said...

Heidi, these pictures are divine! You are so, so fortunate to live where you do. It's been in the
90's here already with awful humidity...heading for the 100's by the weekend. :-( I don't do heat! I am working on my attitude but I love being outside too...

xoxo
Pat

Atticmag said...

Hi Heidi, thanks for stopping by. I will look forward to what you find on your antique fair outing. We have an old fashioned hometown parade here,too. Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. Don't forget to come back Thursday for our giveaway ♥ Jane T.

Apron Senorita said...

I love small hometown parades. It remindes me of old movies. I always wanted to live in a small town that had a gazebo in the town square; now I do!! :)

You look so relaxed on the hammock. You did better than I this past weekend because my plans for working on my garden didn't happen. My kids are helpful but I was in a relaxed mood. We watered the garden this evening and picked out some weeds. Hopefully this coming weekend I will finally go out to get more floral plants. I'm going to be alone because the kids are leaving to summer camp tomorrow, so I need to occupy my evenings with something productive.

I'm glad you had a good Memorial Day and hope you have a great week!

Yoli :)

Unknown said...

Wonderful parade, growing up we had those types of parades and celebrations here, sad to say they no longer have them. Gotta love that hammock! Thanks for sharing.
Sandy

betty-NZ said...

I find it quite interesting that bagpipes show up all over the world. Here in New Zealand, the local bagpipe band are a large part of all the parades, especially the memorials.
Thanks for sharing.

Denise Marie said...

great post!! love the pic of the old time car.

Nancy said...

We have village parades where we are living now. I have yet to see one, but imagine it is even smaller. Hope to do so in October during Octoberfest in Stowe.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Heidi

Your town's parade looks like a very patriotic event. It is wonderful to honor the brave men and women that gave their lives for our country.

Bagpipes are always a big part of parades here in NYC, as the police and firemen all have bagpipe societies.

I'd love to join in on your "Wednesday Gratitude" event someday soon!

~Robin~ said...

I'm thankful that there ARE still towns that celebrate the patriotic holidays! Mine does not and in fact a neighboring city wanted to charge the vets something like $24,000 to have a parade! Hello - the VFW guys are like 90 - where the heck are they going to come up with $24k to walk down a public street?! Rediculous...and sad. Shameful really. I really wish I lived in a small town that cared...

Tracy F. said...

I'll go anywhere to hear bagpipes---I love them! Last time I heard some was a a funeral at sunset, in Key West---very moving...