Senior Spectrum
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Oct 2007
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Eydie's Excerpts
Feasts and Festivals
Cruse Control
We love it here. The festivals alone are reason to enjoy our new digs. Yes, we skipped the Burning Man this year but hit all the others.
It's here somewhere. Did I throw it out when we moved? Why would I save it? There it is, on the top shelf of the closet. I have to scramble and jump up to reach it. The old felt poodle skirt was not an original but it would work. The two girls, a granddaughter and her friend, would be buckled in the front passenger seat and I would sit atop the red 1967 Corvette, poodle skirt and all. Thumbs up and smiles greeted us. Instead of watching a cruise from the sidelines, we were in it. Next year, we'll throw candy so we can join the popularity set.
The poodle skirt got its second use. Mine paled in comparison to the others at the Sock Hop. A huge TV screen flashed our pictures as we danced to the familiar strains of 50's rock and roll. Another night we were swinging next to Fantastic Diamond, a wonderful Neil Diamond impersonator. This was a free and friendly concert that rivaled the best we've been to. Sparks is indeed growing rapidly on us. It's on to the next festival.
Eydie - A Red Vet & Hot August Nights
Tantalizing Taste
Nothing even vaguely considered healthy was on the menus. There were no signs of salads, not a shred of lettuce, and fruits were scarce. Wasn't anyone dieting? Certainly not here. Throngs inhabited the entire area of Victorian Square. What was I expecting? The newspaper said 250,000 would partake of this year's festivities. I think most of them were there on Saturday when we were.
It was hot, very hot. The heat intertwined with the smoke from the grills. The scent was delicious. Sticky fingers were everywhere and these were the adults.
Slabs were the order of the day. Ribs were slathered in sauce and dripping from lips onto clothing. Rolls of paper towels were handed out but to no avail.
Trophies adorned numerous rib stands. Help! Who do we buy from? Luckily, we were with savvy friends who assisted in making the right choice. Actually, there couldn't be any wrong choices. Names or cities and states such as Chicago, New Jersey, and of course Texas stood out.
The lines were long but taste bowled you over. These ribs were good. No, make that great. They were the best we ever had.
Oh no, my husband was heading back to the line for seconds. I grabbed his shirt in time and the threat worked. He settled for fried onion rings that were the largest I've ever seen.
He settled for fried onion rings that were the largest I've ever seen. Each was the size of an entire onion. Added to that were garlic fries and fried zucchini. An enormous ear of corn qualified as the only veggie.
David and his best buddy “ribbing” it up.
Attesting to the popularity of ribs is the fact that people were there from all over the country. Someone said they flew in from New York. Gee, don't they have Tony Roma's back there? But no restaurant can serve up barbecued ribs like these.
This was more than a festival for soothing the stomach. Craft booths were strung along the sides of Victorian Square. It was crowded and yet the festival maintained that small town feeling. There was no pushing or shoving, just folks enjoying the ambiance and the food.
Ballistic Balloons
The alarm clock didn't wake us. It's 3:40 a.m., and we're wideawake. We dress for winter, except for the shorts. The neighbors' outside lights flicker. We are not the only ones treading out at this ungodly hour. Blankets, check; flashlight, check; sweatshirts, check, and most importantly of all, the camera and we are ready. Headlights illuminate the neighborhood. We meet friends. Traffic is already building. We proceed to a top secret parking area that one of our friends knows about. The secret's out. It must have been blasted over the Internet! Parking spots are rare. We do find some. It is, however, much better than the option of the parking lot. The area is already flooded with people and cars. I guess we are not the only ones going to the Reno Hot Air Balloon Festival. According to the media, 180,000 people flocked to the park in the eerie darkness.
5:30 a.m. - The announcement is made, the music begins and hot air balloons light up the black sky. Breathtaking is a mild word to describe the sight. Newbies like us blinked in awe. The Dawn Patrol is up and away. Whoa, I did get some pictures.
Breakfast is served at a booth. It is still dark but sunrise is looming. The red sun rises over the horizon. We are smack in the middle of the field where the balloons are blown up and readied for flight. Over 100 balloons begin to swell up and rise into what now is a blue sky. The correct terminology, I find out, is Mass Ascension. It's a dizzying spectacle that belies any preconceptions we had about this event. The balloons are humongous. The sky is a vibrant array of colors. Cameras click in every direction. A huge eagle soars overhead. Twin bees buzz on by. Almost last, and not least, is the Energizer Bunny Balloon. Kids and adults are sporting their energizer ears.
I know what I want to do for my next birthday. Can you guess? I am going up in one of those balloons. Have any of you done it? Please do let me know so I can goad David into joining me, or maybe have the grandkids. It looks like so much fun.
Oh, just one more note. The Farmer's Market in Sparks had the best produce we ever had and it also, was such a fun place to hang.
I can keep adding to this. How about that fantastic Senior Fest? Then there was the air show, the likes of which we've never seen. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to plan my Halloween costume.
(Questions or comments are always appreciated: eydies@aol.com)