Rose Parade

I grew up in Pasadena, two blocks from the Rose Parade route, near its end. The Rose Parade and game were very big deals. In retrospect, what amazes me is how nice and flexible my parents and our neighbors were to the invading masses, who parked in our neighborhood for the parade. Strange cars parked in our driveway. No one seemed to care. Once dad took the invaders coffee -- well, they had New Jersey plates. I guess this hospitality was all part of the event. I doubt we'd see it today. Tow trucks would be called. Driveway parking places would cost $30.

I'll watch both parade and game today, perhaps mainly to see my beloved brown San Gabriel mountains. Oregon is a green state. I grew up on San Gabriel brown -- and miss it.

Ah, the parade has started, televized from the wrong angle for the mountains. I'll try another station.