Saturday, February 17: Very cool overnight so I had to turn on the furnace and warm up the place before showering. But, as soon as the sun starts hitting the camper it warms up quickly.

I was just getting ready for the day when I got a call from Trish – there was going to be a parade! We thought maybe it was a parade for President’s Day but it was Hank’s Day Parade. Hank Schechert was a local developer who purchased 3,000 acres of desert in the 1960’s. It was called Hank’s Folly because no one thought anyone would want to live out in the desert. Look at it now!

Trish came by and we drove to the end of the street, took out a couple of chairs, and lined up with the rest of the people along the parade route. There weren’t really very many people where we were but you could see more to the north closer to the area with stores and things. We weren’t sure if we were going to be at the beginning or end. Luckily, we were at the beginning.

There were a lot of classic cars, Harleys, elected officials, Red Hat ladies, Doggie Divas, dinosaurs, Shriner’s on tiny scooters, a bagpiper – but no marching bands. Turns out Tim McQuade had his car in the parade with passengers, Glenda, Tom, and Marianne.

Tim McQuade’s Bel Air with Tom, Marianne and Glenda along for the ride.

After the parade, Trish and I went to the 99 cent store and Fry’s to pick up a few things. When I got back, I decided to pull out the sewing machine and do some sewing. I had forgotten that the belt needed replacing on it. I had purchased a new belt shortly after I got it from mom, but had a bit of a struggle getting it on. It is quite different from my Pfaff but sewing memory came back and I remembered how to wind thread on the bobbin, load the bobbin and thread the machine!

My mom, being the organized type A that she is, still had everything that goes with the machine like the tiny little instruction manual as well as several attachments along with their manuals. I had used the machine in my first years after moving out but got a Kenmore around 35 years ago. Then mom wanted it back but never ended up using it. So, it has been sitting in it’s little case for all these years but ran just like it always has.

Not exactly the best set up for sewing, but it works.

I had found a free pattern for a bag online and used it to make a bag but it was tiny and I didn’t like the way it was designed. So, it was just the trial run for the machine. Sunday, I am going to try one that is more of a quilted bag.

Marianne and Lois came by for a while so we all sat around the Bryant’s for happy hour. They were going to the Eagles Lodge for a concert but the rest of us decided to stay home and wait for Carl and family to arrive. Everyone was on their own for dinner. Then while watching the Olympics, I heard a door slam and went out thinking it was Carl but it was Bill. I went back to the TV and a while later I went out to see if they had arrived and all the Bryants and Keenans were sitting around the fire pit talking. I hadn’t heard a thing and the windows are so dark on my camper they thought I was asleep.

No Misty misadventures yesterday but I did get her a new Cat Habitat. My friend, Karen Hazzard, had emailed me a link and said she had friends who had one for their cats and loved it. This will work well when I am back on the road. Misty has gotten used to being on the leash around here and is friendly with everyone again. But I can put her in the tent and not have to worry about her escaping if I am in the camper.

Best sunset I have seen yet.