It's a ..cultural event

Wow! What an incredible day at the local farmers and artisans market - just imagine one of the largest farmers markets in the area coupled with a car show! Two dynamite events.

My friend J, a Hmong man who came to this area as a teenaged refugee over 20 years ago, sells egg rolls in the booth next to ours. He was surprised to see the turn out at the car show and asked me if I knew the anticipated attendance. I was surprised to hear him use the word "anticipated". I was unaware he knew the word - obviously his english skills have improved greatly in the past few years. So, we chatted about the anticipated attendance, and then he asked what is the purpose of this "car show" gathering?

I stumbled around just a bit trying to explain just what is a car show. J wanted to know if there was a money prize for the best car. At Hmong festivals there is frequently a cash prize for the best soccer team, or badminton team or dance team. He seemed puzzled when I told him no cash prize at this event.

Well, I thought I'd try to explain why the car show was such a big deal that hundreds of classic cars would show up along with thousands of admirers. So I pointed out a 60-something year-old lady who was dressed as a bobby soxer - hair in a pony tail held in place by the folded scarf, white shirt - untucked, of course, blue jeans rolled up into big cuffs, white socks and tennies. I said - that's how she would have dressed as a teenager in 1957 - and that car she's standing next to would have been a popular car in 1957. Ah, J said, nodding that now I get it head-nod. He said, "This is a cultural event - you are showing your children how you used to live."

Ah, yes. Although I've never quite heard of a car show referred to in that manner, J did indeed get it right - it's a .....cultural event.

Art and Bikes

An invitation just came from The Flying Pig to attend an event with Terry Cannon. I'm just caught by his work - Assembled Bike is my favorite (well, so far). I love this type of artwork, have been fascinated with it since childhood and have returned to it myself - too many years after being told it was worthless. Thanks Terry.

Cool breezes

I’m so happy with my little nest – a cool breeze from the river is rolling through the windows and keeping me cool. I can tell from the skimpy dress of the pedestrians on the sidewalk below that it must be rather warm outside today. And I am all so cool as a cucumber, up here in the little second story perch.

I'm thinking a slow bike ride to the beach to fly the kite might be a good thing today. Our beach is ideal for kite flying - there's always a breeze coming off the water. I'll put my kite up as a signal to my friends that it's time to gather on the beach. We'll all fly kites today.

Good friends

Met my good friends S and J at the Washington House for ice cream. Rode down there on my retro 1964 Raleigh Sport. There's nothing like a bike ride and ice cream with good friends on a hot night to cap off the perfect weekend.

I just love my Raleigh bike, especially the white panel on the rear fender. People notice that little feature - yah!

And tonight's ice cream - marvelous, as usual. J had his usual half caramel half hot fudge sundae, and S and I had our usual - a Washington House. A scoop each of blue moon, vanilla and strawberry, topped with chocolate, pineapple and strawberry sauce, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry. yum, yum . . . . Especially yummy as the ice cream is created just 8 miles or so down the road from the Washington House. There is nothing like good, local ice cream.

Worked off part of that treat by biking to the grocery for a few items. I love that ride. It's a spectacular ride over the river where one can gaze downstream at fishing boats, gulls, ducks and just the beauty of the river flowing to Lake Michigan.

Ohhhhhhhhh, I do live in a little piece of paradise.