Mardi Gras and Tornadoes

On Saturday morning we attended a Mardi Gras parade in Foley.  Actually, we were on our way to town and saw several people lining up along one of the downtown streets.  It looked liked a parade was about to happen, so we stopped.  It had been drizzling all morning so we came prepared with raincoats.  This was our first real Mardi Gras parade.

Of course there were floats and costumed participants.

But the parade was over almost as quick as it began.  It was no longer than 2 blocks and lasted only about 5 minutes.  However, throwers threw candy, beads, small stuffed animals and a popular marshmallow cookie called moon pies.  This is our haul from this one little parade:

It was quite fun catching all the stuff that was thrown.  However, we had a downpour just before the end of the parade so everyone got a little wet.

Saturday afternoon and evening we were under a tornado watch, tornado warning, severe thunderstorm warning, flood warning and high wind advisory.  It was quite a treat to have everything at once instead of spread out over several days!  About 5:00 PM the rain began to fall in buckets and dark, churning clouds moved into the area.  We were in the clubhouse (decided to be there during the brunt of the storm) and watched with a handful of others as it moved over us.  We survived.  However, the park was flooded wherever you looked. Arriving back at our site about an hour later, our truck tires sank several inches in the mud as we parked.  I spoke with one of our neighbors this morning, and per his rain gauge, he had recorded over 2.5 inches of rain.  No wind damage was evident though one fifth wheel has a plastic tarp draped over its roof.  We are quite sure it was not placed there to protect the roof from bird droppings.

Mystic Mutts of Revelry Parade

Mardi Gras has hit the area hard.  There are parades aplenty in this area through Fat Tuesday.  One of the things we learned when we came here was that the Mardi Gras celebrations that we are familiar with "up nort" actually began in Mobile, Alabama, and NOT New Orleans.  The parades around here are rated PG.

The first Mardi Gras parade we have attended was one for the dogs.   The Mystic Mutts of Revelry (MMOR) parade was held yesterday in downtown Fairhope.

Not all dogs hitched a ride like these two lucky pooches.  Most of the parade was for dogs being walked.  Masked owners paid a $25 fee to participate and the money raised went to the shelter.  Of course like other Mardi Gras parades, plastic trinkets--especially beads--filled the air and outstretched hands grabbed for them.

Some dogs were even canine rv-ers and brought their own houses with them:

Temperatures were in the low 50s with very brisk winds.  The old and the young stood on the sunny side of the street.  The others were elsewhere.  A lesson learned:  if you want to fill your coffers with plastic beads and other "throws" as they are called, stand on the right side of the marchers.  Most revelers throw with their right hand.  Of course the right side was in the shade.

Chair Caning

So a couple weeks ago, Donna decided she wanted to learn how to cane a chair.  A fellow SKP member here at Rainbow Park in Summerdale, Alabama decided to offer just such an opportunity for anyone wanting to learn.  About a dozen or so people signed up to learn the craft.

The instructor, Bob, provided the chair and supplies.  All that was needed was a little stick-to-itive-ness, some patience and a little elbow grease.  The purpose of the class is not only to learn caning, but to raise money for the Escapee Care Program by auctioning off the chairs to fellow park residents.  Last year the auction netted $1800!  What is the Escape Care Program you ask.  The program states it this way:


Located in Livingston, Texas, and it is called CARE (Continuing Assistance for Retired Escapees). Its mission is to provide a safe haven with professional assistance at affordable prices for members whose travels are permanently ended because of age or temporarily interrupted because of health problems.


In short it is an adult day care run by volunteers, staffed by professionals including a nurse and located at the Escapee headquarters.  Residents live on site in their own RVs.  The monthly cost is low as it is supported by volunteers.


Well, Donna gave caning the provided rocking chair her best shot.

Patience and perseverance is a virtue.  First weave one weaver then the other through much-too-small holes keeping everything straight.

And finally today the finishing touches were added.

The woman in the background is Barb, the wife of the instructor.  The finished product:

And below beaming with the final product and with Bob, the proud instructor:

Giving Birth

Donna gave birth today.  Yes, you read right.  She brought forth a new life.  It was not totally unexpected, however.

It began as a concept and then slowly took shape.  Pieces here and there were cut, organized and formed together.  

Its parts gradually assimilated into a whole being.

Bones and socket were organized.

Its parts gradually assimilated into a whole being.

Care was taken so as not to lose any body part.  And, eventually after a several day gestation period, it was near birth this morning.

It was delivered today and posed happily for a newborn photo.

It was an exciting time as its cousin was also born today.  Here is a picture of its cousin's proud mom as well.

Waiting impatiently for Mardi Gras.

No name has been decided upon yet.  Can anyone offer a good name for a deserving bear?