Let the season begin

 The little league parade is today! That is the parade in Greensboro that signals the spring, and the first parade of the season. I can't honestly say that I have watched every parade but the majority of them is a safe statement. I watched them when the grand kids were in them. Mark, the oldest, played ball for a few years. He moved on to soccer and retired his bat and glove. Morgan, his sister, chose not to play ball, but was in that parade as First Runner Up to Little Miss Greensboro. Little Miss makes her debut during the little league parade, sponsored by the Lions club. Small town America is alive and well here. Following the parade opening day ceremonies will be held at the Lions club ballpark. You had best believe old glory will be flying, the National Anthem sung, and prayers offered! There will be no kneeling, no protesting here! Apple pie may be available at the concession stand. Well, okay that is a bit of an exaggeration but thus far no liberal nonsense has been allowed. I hope it stays that way. 

 I do enjoy seeing the parade. It is the same thing every year, the same firetrucks, horses, and groups. It is small town America at its' finest. It's like seeing an old friend. Something from the past that is missing is a show of respect for the flag. Oh, I don't mean people are disrespectful but they just don't observe the same propriety as they did when I was a child. Remember when the flag went by and everyone put their hands over their hearts? I remember well my Father removing his hat and placing it over his heart as that banner went past. Maybe I remember so well because it was one of the few occasions you would see him without a hat on. The Policeman stood at attention and saluted. It's a small thing I suppose, changing times and changing sensibilities. Still it is these small things that make a lasting impression on young minds. Love, honor and respect are the blocks that form a firm foundation. The foundation of freedom! Freedom should never be taken for granted, freedom isn't a club to impose your will upon others, Freedom is a gift from our forefathers. We need to be vigilant in guarding that freedom. It starts with respect. 

 The weather is supposed to be quite comfortable, mid 60's. The grass could use a bit of attention. Once you start cutting it you don't get to stop until about November! Hopefully I will be able to throw open the windows and enjoy the warm fresh air of spring. You can still leave your windows open in Greensboro with little fear of a home invasion. Even in town I can hear the sounds of the night, tree frogs, crickets and an occasional owl. Yes, I hear the passing automobiles as well, as a subdued drone on the highway sometimes punctuated by the sharp staccato of a motorcycle. I have grown used to it having lived on Sunset Avenue for nearly 16 years now. From my perch on the second floor I have observed the passage of the years. I have documented the changes as they occurred. Some of my predictions have come true and others, thankfully, did not. Life has gone on basically unchanged here for the twenty five and so years I have lived in Greensboro. I've been here long enough to notice something that perhaps has gone unnoticed by others. When I first moved here and others asked where you lived the answer would be, Greensboro, Goldsboro, Ridgely, Henderson or the name of some other town. Today if you ask you are just as likely to get this response, the Eastern shore. That answer will come from those that moved here, seldom from those that have deep roots in the area. I came from East Hampton on Long Island. If asked I will always say, East Hampton but there are a great number of people now that would just answer, The Hamptons. Why? Because collectively the Hamptons sounds far more glamorous than East Hampton. Same reason people are now saying, the Eastern Shore instead of the actual town they live in.

 It is just the passage of time and the expansion of the world as we know it. In years past people didn't move around as much as we do today. We were all more familiar with the territory. Remember when you were young? People would ask you for directions and you could reply with, past the post office but before Mr. Cooks' house. It usually sufficed because everyone knew the area. Where do you live? I would answer Three Mile Harbor. That was the general area and a source of pride. Now the answer may be the Hamptons, it's the general area! It is more of a personal thing though. It has to do with familiarity. Our worlds are no where near the intimate places they once were. Is that a good or bad thing? Only history will answer that question. But today in Greensboro the parade will pass by my front door. Let the season begin.