Long-time-no-post! This week I am updating from our residency in the city of Vernon, British Columbia in Canada.
***
Our performances in Friday Harbor, WA (U.S.A.) went very well, and Alyssa and I even extended our stay for a day and a half in order to spend July 4th on the island! Lori, whom Alyssa stayed with during the week, graciously offered to house me for the extra night, so we could attend the annually anticipated Fourth of July Parade. It was my first live-parade (save for Disney World!) and I was absolutely enchanted by how much the community got involved in the festivities, whether it was walking alongside a float throwing candies, or simply stopping their morning routine to support their fellow neighbors. Almost every kid from our cast participated in the parade, and some of them got so giggly and animated to see Alyssa and I in our lawn chairs on the curb that they would give us the candy and completely ignore the other children around us! Just a perk of the job, I guess!
Following the parade, everyone trekked over to the Pig War Picnic. Way back when, San Juan Island was half occupied by French and Americans. Apparently some feud over a pig arose between a Frenchman and an American, and voila! A war was started. I’m told that the Americans eventually won this battle, but relations between the two “sides” were currently on good terms (I would hope so! I mean, c’mon…it was literally over just one pig!) After consuming the traditional hot-dog and pop, we headed back to Lori’s house for a quick nap, and to help her ready the house for her Fourth of July party. Soon guests were arriving and we were munching on delicious finger-foods, discussing the importance of programs like Missoula Children’s Theatre, and then had front-row seats for the big fireworks extravaganza that literally took place on a barge in the harbor right in front of Lori’s deck (and the Friday Harbor ferry dock). Despite being very far from home and with none of my usual suspects, it was a great holiday, and I felt fortunate to be sharing it with such caring people!
(rest of the post to follow soon…I told you this would be a long one!)
Lisa, Sounds like you are enjoying yourself no matter what. Good go, girl. I was in Indiana for a week so didn’t get your card ’til I came back home. Thanks so much for keeping me updated and informed. Do appreciate it. Love you, Jan