Inauguration Day Parade, Washington DC

Crowded events keep many people away.  Occasionally they even keep me away.

Many years ago in between living in Asia and Brazil, I was home in the USA helping my dad and mom in our family business.  1969 was the busiest year my dad ever had.  When the inauguration day arrived that "excitement inner clock" of mine went off at 4:00, 4:00 AM.  This time the thought of a crowded event did not keep me away.  Quite like the Olympic crowd!

My parents were sleeping and although I wanted to wake them and ask them if they wanted to drive to Washington DC, I knew they were exhausted and opted to write them a note that went something like this: "Mom and Dad, I happened to wake up very early and have decided to drive to DC to join in on the historical inauguration event.  I will phone you later."

I arrived in DC and found a great parking space close to where the parade was forming. Soon after I exited my car, dressed neatly in one of my spiffy hand tailored Hong Kong suits I walked by a few of the floats that were ready to roll. The driver of the Florida float chatted with me and explained that the girl that was to ride with him could not make it.  

Yup, you guessed what he asked me next..."Would you like to ride in the parade?"

Naturally I answered YES!  And soon found myself waving to thousands.

It is such a fun world...and THAT was SUCH a fun day!

The Profound Power of THE Flame

Just what is it about the power of a flame?

The last thing I emptied from my car prior to heading to help salvage some family history and some of my own history in NJ was to place the bonfire wood I got from Bill Holder out for neighborhood grabs.
Was planning to have a bonfire on the beach in November 2012 but because nothing is more permanent than change, had to give up that little stash of kindling.  Just love bonfires and once in while driving home by Aliso Beach in the evening we will just stop and enjoy the sight of bright fires on a dark night with the the melody of the ocean in the background. Mm mm good!

As a kid, candles lit on our dining room table and made our meals so ceremonial! Candles across Atlantic Avenue at Saint James Church made our prayer time more sacred.  Fires in our "6404" fireplace made our cold winter nights warm and cozy.  Lit candles on our birthday cakes always made us a bit breathless just as fire works did on the 4th of July.  ( For my kids, Don and Marion, occasionally I would light a candle for small meals, even if we were only having a tuna fish sandwich!)

The seven day candles in Old Serra Chapel in San Juan Capistrano made our family have hope in hard times and allowed us to give others hope by lighting a special candle for them. The iron workers out on the Mission grounds made useful tools with their fire, just as the Mission's ovens modeled from Spain's 13th century ovens were used making Capistrano the place where technology began in California.

Whether it be at the Kris Kringle night time markets of Europe, the fire dancers of the South Pacific or the flames that attract fish to the fishing boats in Asia, the warm candlelight of Chestnut Hill College's chapel, fire, when used for good, makes us feel incredibly good.

Whether it be the huge torches along the night beaches of Waikiki or simply a tiny tea candle in a jam jar hanging from a tree or placed by a flower in the center of the table during evening cocktail time, fire can make a serene lovely night lovelier.

But just what is it about the magnificently PROFOUND POWER OF THE OLYMPIC FLAME...

Montreal 1976 Olympic Flame

There is not one person that I know that has not been profoundly moved by the Olympic Flame.