City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York on Saint Patrick's Day.

It's been a glorious day, mild, blue skied, and in our city a wonderful parade made its way up Fifth Avenue for hour after hour.

I made my way across Central Park from the west side a bit after noon, and wore a bit of green in the subtle shade of my trousers and scarf. It was warm enough that many parade goers had not bothered with coats or scarfs.

The local schools have a day off, and so many students are out and about.

These lovely teenagers agreed to let me take their picture. You can see that some of them were on their cells, making plans. You can can also see that marvelous blue sky.

A few minutes later, I reached Fifth Avenue and began to figure out where I'd like to stand to view the parade, on and off the Avenue. The parade begins in midtown NYC amidst all the big shops and office towers, but I've always preferred to watch the show from further uptown, along the edge of the Park.

Lots of folks do make a grand gesture in their attire on March 17. Some are more traditional, others decide to find an edge worth exploring.

Very young parade goers have been dressed by their parents. Eventually, they will find their own sense of style. It is this generational progress that also gives much to the fun of the parade.

I asked permission to take this young lad's photo. He was so adorable.

Well, I have shown you so many photos of those along the sideline sidewalks, let me show you some of the parade itself. I love the bands!

The parade's marchers are a blend of civil servants (like police officers, firefighters, and Marines and Navy folks,) school bands, and representatives who've actually traveled from across the pond.

Some folks wore outsized and dramatic hats. Others take another approach to drama.

Here's another of those marvelous banners. It usually takes at least six men to keep these banners moving along erect.

I do love the various tartan kilts. Have you all been able to see the green stripe painted down the center of Fifth Avenue?

Look, I've spotted a green tu tu.

While I was watching, I saw several wonderful fife and drum bands march past.

I also saw lots of wonderfully talented Irish dancers. Their movements were not very easy to catch in still photos.

This young lady had a green sparkly shamrock appliqued to her cheek, and her attention was definitely on the text she was sending.

Here's another festive mohawk on parade down the sidewalk.

Here's a family group gathering together on the wall at the edge of the Park.

These two children were posing for a photo by their mom, and I took advantage of the opportunity.

Some of you all know that I enjoy knitting, and so here are a trio of beautiful sweaters. Sweater one.

Sweater two.

Sweater three.

And, here is another crowd-pleasing parade participant.

I'll show you all another family group who were showing us how to wear green.

Sometimes, the crowds along the sidewalk made it tricky for me to get a photo when I wished to do so. And this resulted, this time, in this view of flags above the heads of the viewers.

Ahh, here's another view of those flags.

More headgear.

This year, I did not notice as many sidewalk vendors as in past years. This gentleman was doing quite well with his long-sleeved cotton tee shirts, proclaiming that today was the 250th St. Patrick's Day parade.

This lovely little toddler got to see her daddy march past. There was much excitement on both sides of the barricade.

About this time, some of us parade watchers were getting a bit weary.

I think that the parade still had a few hours to go.

However, I decided that I had clicked enough photos to give you all an idea of what a splendid day it had been.

And so, I began to retrace my steps and find my way across the Park. Others were already on the same route.

How wonderful it was to have these hours in the bright sunshine, enjoying music and silly hats, and cute children, and a great annual celebration.

There are so many other serious, very serious matters in our world right now, trying to claim all of our attention. I was glad to be reminded of the power of fun.

Best wishes to you all.