March 13

....just a couple of notes to record the activities of the day....first, with the rain and illness, the party/parade free-for-all weekend hasn't become a reality....but that's totally fine. I'm still keeping the sun a-shining in this household! Lots of TLC and extra hugs. :)

Alan loves his umbella, so we walked through the village and had a pancake breakfast at the diner. Returned home, played all sorts of music, and I made a pot of chilly for lunch. After that, things started to get a little tense, and I was getting stir crazy. Alan became a little bossy with the drum/guitar jam, so after a time out, he pulled himself together and painted me a most beautiful picture frame (with a mishy flower)....Then he convinced me to go on yet another walk (this time down hill). The fresh air did us good. Then when we returned home, I filled the tub with extra bubbles, and had him take a long bath to warm up.

Pajamas were on by 5pm....and I introduced him to Jimi Hendrix. Seconds after a few guitar licks of Purple Haze, he could hardly contain himself and asked Bob to set up his amp to the electric guitar. He was very patient, and within the hour, we were playing "cold shot" by Stevie Ray Vaughn together. Alan certainly rocks! The fun was cut short by some cranky behavior, (can't remember, must have blocked it out)...so he had another time out. But the night ended on a very positive note with "Frieda Fuzzypaws" read to him about 5 times, and more extra hugs (and kitty kisses...YUCK!). He fell asleep to Krishna Das. All in all, a wholesome day.

Tomorrow is the parade, and I am still not comfortable bringing Alan given his bronchitis. He has a visit with his Dad, and if I am feeling better, I will float along with Folkloric. Last year, someone on our float had too much to drink, and flipped over the side of the float. He was so intoxicated (bleeding profusely), that he fought with the authorities, because he wanted to get back in the float! I am not an expert at all on alcohol problems (nor is alcohol my thing), but this incident certainly illuminated the denial or "lack of insight" that people have regarding the affects of alcohol. I wonder if this person will be drinking green beer again this year?

ANYWAY...........