February 12 – “Hips and hamstrings”

Well, aren’t we the celebratory ones?  We did something yesterday we haven’t done in years.  We went to one of the Mardi Gras parades.  Yep.  We braved both the elements and the traffic to be a part of the insane practice of tossing beads at a waiting crowd of revelers.  Did you catch the way I said that?  We didn’t just go to watch the parade.  Oh, no.  We actually joined in.  See, we had two different connections.  For one thing, it was the fire fighters’ children’s parade that we attended.  Didn’t get there in time to see the pet parade just before this one, but we did see a lot of the pets still roaming around in their outfits.  But I had to support my fire fighter guys.  The union fire truck was leading the way.  There was even a truck from Fort Bend County fire department.  Several of our fire fighters drove their infamous scooters through the route. 

And then there was the fact that the Galveston Lassie League softball organization had a float in the mix.  And Cailyn plays softball.  And April is actually on the Lassie League board.  We ended up walking the entire parade alongside their float.  It was actually a lot of fun.  We tossed a few beads, and even walked over and handed a few to those Moms we saw holding little ones who were having a difficult time fighting for the worthless baubles.  We were surprised that we didn’t see anyone we knew screaming in the crowds.  Guess everyone we knew who would come to this parade was already in it.  By the walking app on our phones, it appears we walked around two miles.  Felt like it to me.  I was pretty sore.  But we weren’t done yet.

As everyone else drove away to their homes and after-parties, we turned on our sore heels and headed back into the fray.  But here’s the thing … the fray was gone.  There were hardly any people left.  Oh, the food trucks were still there all right.  And there were some stragglers.  But for the most part, Mardi Gras is over.  Well, except for the parade that I think still happens on actual Mardi Gras – this Tuesday.  We made our way to MOD Coffee shop and grabbed a hot chocolate.  And a seat.  Ahh.  Sometimes it sure feels good to just sit down.  As it turned out, however, that brief respite caused my hips and hamstrings to lock up.  When we stood to head to our next destination I had a difficult time getting the old muscles to respond. 

We made it to the site of our evening frolic, however.  We went to a place called Sharky’s Tavern to have a pizza and listen to a band called Salty Sounds.  The trio consists of our worship pastor Jim, our church violinist Corey, and John, a guy who is actually our neighbor here in Gulf Village.  They were excellent, as usual.  I couldn’t hear much beyond the music (ah, the joys of hearing aids), so I focused on watching the one lady who was alternatively dancing, playing pool, and screaming in delight over whatever song the guys were singing.  Oh, yeah … and the Olympics.  We also watched the Olympics.  Guess that’s what you do in a tavern.  We’re just not very experienced at such rabble rousing. 

Psalms 33:4-5 says, “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.  The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”

Father, be with all the youngsters we saw at the parade yesterday, both the ones on the float and on the parade route.  Speaks highly of Galveston’s future.  Amen.