Moonless Night in November

It's a beautiful moonless night; stars in all their glory. A hot fire keeps the chill off. There isn't another soul on the south jetty tonight. Just me god and the crickets. Baked potato on the coals and reading A Christmas Carol. Most have only seen the movie, but the book and original illustrations, the work of brilliance. I'm all alone tonight, yet nit the least bit lonely.

Christmas Boat Parade By Surprise

Saturday afternoon I went down to the marina to see the annual boat parade. I got there early, thinking parking would be a mess. I got a good spot, abeit on the wrong side of the marina. I walked down to the main pavillion, and stood.

I played with my Iphone, listening to music, twittering, those things I do when there isn't much else to do. The man behind me tapped my shoulder gently,

"Is this the line to get on the boat," he asked?

I turned, paused and said,

"I don't know, Im just hear to watch the boat parade."

Turning back, I realized there were twenty or so people in front of me, in a line. I was in a line, for what I had no idea. I decided to hold my ground and see what happened.

Fifteen minutes later, two large boats pulled up. One named the "Warf Cat", a 50 person fishing charter boat. Behind her was "The Island Queen", a former car ferry converted also to a charter fishing boat. The line began to move forward.

A woman handed me a red "Ticket" as the crowd pressed forward. A few feet beyond a man took my red ticket and ushered me onboard.

"I'm going to be in a parade," I thought, "how wonderful this is!"

I was handed a Christmas Carol book. I made my way to the top deck. The next 1 1/2 hours we sang carols. We waved to people on the shore. I was so excited.

What a wonderful Saturday, Thank You God for getting me in the spirit of Christmas.

There are those who are in the parade,

Those who watch the parade,

Those who ask, "There was a parade?"

and now,

"Wholey Cow, I'm in a parade"