My 4th of July :) Red, White, and Blue

“Happy 4th of July. I’ll be celebrating this evening with my iPad, some ear plugs, a glass of RED wine, a WHITE Russian, and a PBR~ Pabst BLUE Ribbon beer. Just kidding… I don’t have any ear plugs,”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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RED
WHITE

BLUE

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Just a little 4th of July Humor. 

The morning storm threatened the McKinney July 4th celebrations and parade, but the skies cleared up a bit, and it was actually very pleasant for a Texas July day. The lingering clouds protected the celebrants from the extreme heat. My first thought was to stay under the covers when the thunder was booming at 8am. By 9, the rain stopped, so I donned my red-white-and blue and headed off to the square to watch the parade. I actually found a decent parking spot, but was a little embarrassed when I made a right turn onto Kentucky, not realizing it was blocked off for the parade route, and I was NOT supposed to be on the roped off street. Oops! I blushed a little, waved to the crowd, and proceeded to the parking lot.

I watched the parade with some friends. There was a huge turn out for such an iffy day. A wonderful small town feel. That’s my McKinney!

After the parade, my friends Sherri and Michael called to see where I was so we could meet for some ice cream or cookies over at Sweet Spot Bakery.

Michael was hiding behind a car and took a sneak peak picture of me rounding the corner.

We always take open arms photos of each other. It’s a inside joke. Aren’t they cute!

Me and Sherri, compliments of photographer Mr. Murphy.

Do you see that devilish grin? Yes! A huge ice cream cone for breakfast. Caught me, Mr. Murphy.

A very nice way to celebrate the independence of our country…friends, parades, ice cream and staying home tonight to avoid the fireworks and frenzy. I’m getting too old for that stuff.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Fourth of July Friday

“A procession is a participants’ journey, while a parade is a performance with an audience.”
― Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking
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Mckinney Texas is a fairly large city with a quaint small town feel. I always look forward to the Fourth of July parade on the Square. Hundreds of people line the streets to watch a single police car and fire engine start off the route around the square with sirens blaring, followed by the mayor and his family waving to the crowd. (It’s cool when the mayor’s wife waves and says, “Hi Toni.” Everybody knows every body.) Then, there are a couple of dozen old time cars, a few local businesses had floats, several boys scout and Girl Scout troops, Rotary Club, and my favorite, the Art Club of McKinney float. (Thanks, Lynda Kingsley, family and friends.) etc. Of course, you have to have horses. It’s Texas, there must be horses.

I think it took people longer to find a place to park than it took to watch the entire parade, but the point is, it’s all about tradition, family, waving flags and being proud to be an American. In the afternoon, there was a car show with dozens of old, vintage and souped-up cars. The shops were busy, the restaurants packed and the atmosphere, well, it was a fun place to be on the Fourth of July. I LOVE McKINNEY!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom: Anchors Aweigh!

As we look forward to freedom, the shining city on the hill and the best days of America lying ahead, it is the men and women in uniform who protect, defend and make us proud to whom we should look and give thanks every night.
Robin Hayes (brainyquote.com)

This is a very appropriate quote for our upcoming Fourth of July celebrations. Why in the world do they call it Independence Day? How ironic that we celebrate being independent, but actually, we are very dependent on our men an women in uniform who insure we retain our freedom and liberties. I vote that we rename it Dependence Day or TYFYS Day, Thank You For Your Service Day. OK, all those in favor, raise your hand.

The last place in the world I expected to see a couple of military uniforms was at my local Starbucks. Not that they don’t drink coffee, it’s because, I don’t drink coffee, and not a big fan of Starbucks also.(No offense to my “Starstruck caffeine-a-maniac friends.) It just so happened, I was meeting my friend, Julia, after Zumba class yesterday, and that was a convenient location. We were catching up and discussing our writing adventures or lack there of. As we said our goodbyes, I noticed two gentlemen in black-grey camouflage uniforms seated across from me. It wasn’t the typical green camo that I was familiar with.

Well, if you know me, I had to go over and shake their hands and thank them for their service. Then I noticed the U.S. Navy on the pocket. Ah, they were Navy guys. So, I plopped myself down and chatted with the delightful young sailors. Turns out that they were currently assigned to the recruiting station up on Route 380 in McKinney. The gentleman on my left had the word Pass on his shirt, and the other had Muldanado on his. I turned to my right and said, “I guess you didn’t get a PASS.” I asked the poor young man named Pass, who probably has endured that joke a million times, “I bet you never heard that one before, did ya?” He smiled and agreed, “Oh no, that’s a new one!”

We talked a while. I learned about their wives and families and where they were from. How cool is that? You meet the most interesting people by just sharing a kind word or a friendly hello. As I was leaving, I asked them what plans they had for the Fourth of July, and they said they were going to be in the parade on the Square. I told them that I’d see them there. I’d be the one waving and yelling, “Hey Jeff! Hey Manny!…ANCHORS AWEIGH!!!”

Jeff Pass…I asked him where he was from, he said, “All over. My dad was in the Navy and we moved around a lot.”

Manny Muldanado… Manny and his family are from the Dallas area. He’s pleased to be stationed around family right now.