Sunday, July 26, 2009

Mancos Days II (and III and ...)

We're reaching the Thank-Goodness-It's-Almost-Over phase of the weekend!

I think for me, most of all, it was nice to have my son Drayton here for a few days. It was a chance for him to see old friends, which we tried to respect, but it was just great to have him around and catch up with him on our lives. Scooby Doo, the doxigator, threatened to tear him limb from limb, and a few seconds later was in his lap, nudging his hand to pet her, licking his hand, etc. That's all part of letting him know, I guess, that the noble watchdog is under-appreciated! We're sorry Noi and her family weren't able to make it, too, but understand and we'll catch up with them another time.

First hurdle for the busy weekend was the high school centennial celebration at the football field Friday night. In the morning, we breakfasted at the Bakery and then Drayton and I helped set up the stage, tables and chairs. I held down the booth in the park all afternoon, selling the centennial books, calendars, T-shirts and umbrellas. The weather was perfect for the evening event and I think there were more than 300 people there. Lots of "Didn't you used to be...?" greetings, nice speeches (mercifully short) and a nice pig roast meal that didn't get rained on or blown away. It was a beautiful evening! (I'll post some pictures later, after we've had a little more time to sort them all out.)

Saturday was the biggest Mancos Days parade I can remember (except maybe in 2000, a big election year when lots of candidates had entries). Lots of enjoyment and lots of folks on the streets to watch. Drayton and I hit the traditional early morning pancake breakfast the Boy Scouts put on, then met Sandy at Artisans to help get ready for the reception for five new artists that morning. Before and after the parade, which goes right by the Artisans entrance from 10 to 11, there were quite a few folks in the shop, browsing and meeting the artists. In the afternoon, we had a little time to rest and clean up.

I went in and helped with the recording of reminiscences at the high school; one Class of 1948 or '49 graduate brought in his wooden desktop from seventh grade to show ... it had his and lots of others' initials and names carved in it and he had rescued it from the dump.

Yesterday evening we were treated to a small, two-family gathering west of Mancos, the family of a young woman who was in high school with Drayton and Noi. Good food, good company and a beautiful evening ... until I was getting sort of brain-dead and needed to get home and go to bed!

I had the early shift at the Centennial booth in the park this morning and it was the usual Sunday morning of Mancos Days ... kind of laid back, quiet, slow-paced and peaceful.

Nobody showed up for meeting for worship this morning, so we visited and got Drayton off on his trek back over the pass with some baklava to sustain him. Yesterday I wanted to take in the Cox Ranches Rodeo at Echo Basin this morning; this morning I didn't have the git up and go!

We're off to offer prints and cards and baklava at the Bauer House this afternoon. We'll see how that goes. For sure we'll come home and collapse and snuggle with the dog and cats this evening ... and start on the exercise and diet and weight reduction program tomorrow! tv


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