Dear Liza,
Once the Grand Floral Parade came down the street, we just settled in and enjoyed the show. Like the Tournament of Roses Parade that I grew up with in Pasadena, the surfaces of floats have to be covered with organic materials, like flowers, seeds, or bark.
As you can see by this loafing moose on the Alaska Airlines float, they are huge, funny, and beautifully decorated.
But for me, it is the personal connection of the Portland parade that makes it special. Sitting by the curb, we were just a few feet from the marchers, who waved, smiled or even came over to shake hands. These are our neighbors, friends, and shopkeepers.
And speaking of personal! The IBEW, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, uses Rosie the Riveter as their symbol. This reminds us of the valuable work women electricians did, and have done, since World War II.
This year’s float featured nine ladies who worked for Boeing during the war, who are now in their nineties (and one lady is over 100!) Seeing them waving and happy brought tears to my eyes, because my Momma did that job, too. That might have been her or her friends sitting and waving to the crowd.
Your Grandma Judy is a big crybaby.
And while I was still wiping my eyes, a large group from the local Ukrainian community came marching, carrying banners reminding us all that there is still a war going on that we have a moral (and very practical) responsibility to help win.
Between the laughter and the tears, I was pretty worn out when the parade finally wrapped up and the street sweepers came by. We walked down the street, got some cold drinks at PushXPull Coffee, and caught the Magic 15 home.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 