small town minnesota
though minneapolis is considered a metropolitan, big city, it still retains that ‘small town’ feel. something both phil and i really like about minnesota. people still say ‘hi’ to each other in passing. random strangers will come up to you to offer advice or help if you look like you need it. and not freaky weirdo strangers, either! i can’t tell you how many times people have struck up random conversations with me while i was grocery shopping. an older gentleman even asked phil how we liked our car once while we were in a parking lot. turns out he was considering buying one and wanted to know if it was a good buy.
and it must be because the winters are so long and so cold that minnesotans really make the most of every sunny, summer day. earlier this week, we had just finished eating dinner when we heard something like drums beating outside. we all went out to see what was going on, and what do we discover? a good ole fashioned parade! it’s been years since i’ve been to a parade.
i just love when a marching band plays patriotic music.
next stop, the rose parade! no?
mikey was so happy to get a sticker and a tootsie roll from someone in the parade.
uh… looks like one of the storm troopers has been living the good life a little too long, eh? 
allie hung in there really well, but the parade kept going and going. so she decided to check out.
and just to show that it takes all kinds, here are some unicyclers! there were SO MANY of them. they even have their own club!
to each his own!
the next evening, we went out to let mikey play in the park and stumbled upon a little jazz festival! the best part was a fire truck parked there on display. the firemen let mikey and me go in it! they gave mikey a little firemen’s hat that he really liked. he kept asking me to put it on him. but darn, i didn’t have the camera with me!
8 Comments
pastordennis
the best thing about minnesota is Joe Mauer. do you know who he is?
joannaaaakim
isn’t that the street that’s right in front of your house? how funny!
mrssjlee
awww…. so fun!!! that strom trooper pic was funny.
mrsstellalee
what an unusual parade…such random things in it. i’ve always wondered if it was hard to ride a unicycle.
joesee22
South Pasadena has that small-town feel too. Everyone here is very friendly. Crime is almost non-existent. Many times we leave our front door unlock without the fear of being robbed. That’s why I told hubby that I would never move away from South Pas!
mrssjlee
yeah michelle. i signed austin up for private one on one lessons at the valley college. he goes twice a week but i’m going to do three times next session. he loves it so much!!!! the only thing is that i have to wait out there with him and it sure is HOT (but well worth it)!
greantea71
hahaha. i’ve never seen a chubby storm trooper before! how cute!
aw. sounds so sweet over there…
Kavedissian
too cool, paul and i are totally thinking about moving to the the midwest one day.