.
Believe it or not, no alcohol is associated with that video!
I recall watching the Mummer’s Day celebration from Philadelphia on New Years’ Day. After all, there’s something about a band of saxophones, banjos, and accordions with extraordinary outfits that capture my fancy. Yes, I am a Mummers-want-to-be from afar. However, nobody does this song better than a Mummers band.
.
Once again, nobody in that video was influenced by alcohol. For those wanting more Mummers, here’s a melody of tunes with better sound quality.
How is your final week of 2013?
Following successful handbell ringing on Christmas Eve, we had a low-key Christmas Day afternoon with my father-in-law. A few days later, the three of us traveled cross-state to my sister-in-law’s home for the weekend – thus why you haven’t seen me. Meanwhile, we continue with preparing to sell our home and packing for the whenever-it-will-be move.
Glad to see that readers have been enjoying my Exploring series. Given the mid-week holiday, three more posts will finish the week before I return to my routine.
Given a new month and a new year, your calendars are eagerly anticipating new entries, so enjoy this bountiful list of celebrations!
(2014) Year of Crystallography, Year of Family Farming, Year of the Horse, Year of Small Island Developing Status
Month-long celebration for January include polka, soup, hobbies, eye health, book, hot tea, volunteer blood donor, life, Ok to be different, personal self-defense, wheat bread, candy, swapping soup, reaching your potential, oatmeal, letter writing, bath safety, get over it, bald eagles, mail order gardening, stamp collectors autism awareness, creativity, crime stoppers, bread machine baking,
(Wed) Guapo Surfing Day, Bad Hangover Day, Bowling Day, Copyright Law Day, Commitment Day, Ellis Island Day, Euro Day, First-Foot day, Global Family Day, Polar Bear Plunge Day, Bloody Mary Day, Surnames-Beginning-with-Z Day, Bonza Bottler’s Day
(Thurs) Buffet Day, Swiss Cheese Day, Motivation and Inspiration Day, Personal Trainer Awareness Day, Science Fiction Day, Cream Puff Day
(Fri) Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, Festival of Sleep Day, Drinking Straw Day, Humiliation day
(Sat) Spaghetti Day, Dimpled Chat Day, Tom Thumb Day, Trivia Day, Braille Day, Hypnotism Day, Free Flower Basket Day,
(Sun) Whipped Cream Day, Bean Day, Bird Day, Second-Hand Wardrobe Day
Hope everyone has a safe New Years’ Eve, and cheers to good health and spirits for 2014! Happy New Year!
A Frank Angle 
The bottle band must have a devil of a time staying in tune with all the evaporation that takes place. That was quite weird.
For those who are mummer-knowledge-challenged… http://mummerartist.homestead.com/history.html
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Jim,
Can you imagine the work it takes to get all those bottles in tune? … and I get the impression you are mummer challenge! Thanks for the historical link!
Cheers to your 2014!
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Things could get messy.
I’ve seen the mummers all my life. Never did look into their history. They are having a good time.
May 2014 be good to you. I hope the house thing goes well.
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Cheers to you knowing the Mummers … and I didn’t realize how far back they went! … and many thanks for the wishes, after all, it’s a combination of excitement or wonder of the unknown.
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I don’t know that anything ever associated with a polka band is alcohol free…
I’m more concerned with ushering out 2013 than worrying about 2014. It’s old enough. It should be able to take care of itself.
(And of course, I’ll be celebrating Wednesday.)
Happy New year, Frank!
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Guapo!
LOL … and hope the weather is good enough for your day tomorrow! Cheers to you and yours!
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Wishing you and your better a half a Happy New Year Frank.
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Catherine,
Thank you … and time is running out in 2013 for tormenting the kids!
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🙂
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Hahaha! I love that you put Wed is Guapo Surfing Day! Happy New Year, Frank!
(it will be wild in the Hood tonight….)
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Hood,
Thanks for catching the Guapo salute! Wild time in the hood? Well now, I think I can take that several ways! 😉
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When the clock strikes midnight, everyone that owns a firearm takes them outside and shoots them off!
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Wow … so … how did it go?
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C.R.A.Z.Y.
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YIKES! …. but you made it through!
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Yes, I made it through! (I audio taped it one year, but it’s just unbelievable…I couldn’t post it because I thought it might shock some folks…..)
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Wow … I made no clue about this.
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This week has been relatively quiet, Frank. I’m working today and we’re going out for fondue tonight to celebrate the New Year. Wishing you a fabulous 2014!
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Cathy,
Gotta love fondue, which is something we haven’t had in some time. Enjoy your evening!
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I need to put all these in my calendar, Frank—especially Guapo Surfing Day! Wednesday is also Prince Spaghetti Day (yeah, I’m old enough to remember that commercial). And thanks to you I now know to enjoy soup all month long.
Handbells on Christmas Eve! That must have been such a nice concert. Handbells were basically made for Christmas, really.
I’ve never been to a Mummer’s parade, just watched them on television. But they put on a heck of a show, don’t they. Happy New Year to you and the missus, Frank!!
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Weebs,
Get the binocs out on Wednesday to see if you can spot Guap catching a wave!
Here’s one of the handbell pieces from Christmas Eve … a lively rendition of a traditional hymn with a variety of techniques. Start at 1:20 …. http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=jwDEQko_5Nw
In terms of the Mummers putting on a show … absolutely … especially the big string bands. Hoping for more zins and Graeters for you in 2014.
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Hmmm, Mummers? Apparently I have been Mummers-deprived down here in TX all these years. Who knew such things existed in the world? Greatness!
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Angela,
Oh they do put on quite the show. I still regret not visiting the Mummers Museum on my one trip to Philadelphia! Cheers to your 2014!
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And Happy New Year, Frank!
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🙂
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month long celebration with letter writing, the lost art sounds like a wonderful revival…and Bloody Mary on Wednesday, Swiss cheese on Thursday, sleep day (yes!!) on Friday, spaghetti (yum) on Saturday and unlimited second hand wardrobe on Sunday. i can handle the week, Frank. bring it. 🙂
happy new year’s eve. sorry, still black out videos for me. i know they are great being handpicked by you. cheers!
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Sun,
Oh no … still blackout? Hmmm … you must be outside the US. Oh well … try right clicking on the video to copy the URL, then paste it into a new window/tab because they may bring a smile! Meanwhile, enjoy all those celebrations.
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no, it is one of the challenges of rural america…trying to get decent internet. ha-ha. it will come around soon, i hope. happy New Year, Frank. ♥
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OIC. More importantly, Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year! Going to try and catch the Mummer’s this year—should not be too cold! Oh, and there is a lot of alcohol going on!
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Jeff,
Being that’s your state, I imagine you have attended the parade in the past … but I can imagine Mummers are highly correlated to alcohol. 😉
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Oh how FUN!
Please join me for SERENDIPITOUS LIVING in the New Year http://wp.me/pP1C5-1f8
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Laurie,
I was there … so thanks for the serendipitous moment!
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Toss up which is more entertaining: the Mummers parade or the bottle music. Always a great read here (and such a lovely crowd) Thanks.
May you and yours have a new year full of joy, warmth, and adventure
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Mouse,
Cheers to you enjoying each of the bookends in this post! (Actually glad to know someone watched them … ;)) Will return to more visits soon! All the best to you and yours in 2014!
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Always dance when asked – whirl around a few times for me (you’ve heard ballroom dancing is recommended cancer rehab and general exercise now? Some always knew!)
Dance on!
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Not surprising … check this out … https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2009/05/14/on-dance-and-parkinsons/
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As always I enjoy all the videos. The Letterman video was pretty cool. Guapo Surfing Day! Good to know. I will be thinking positive surfing thoughts for him. Cheers to you, Frank! Have a wonderful year!
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Bumble,
Guap may have touch weather, so I’m eager to see if he gets his wish. Cheers to your appreciation for the bottle band as they are unique!
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HAPPY NEW YEAR FRANK! A fun post and the bottle band was great! Have the best year ever in 2014!
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Resa,
Glad you stopped by for a toast by the Bottle Band … and cheers to your 2014!
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There are several ways to celebrate, we’ll stay home and see a movie on dad’s PC 🙂 since we don’t have TV…
The time for larger parties is gone… I just returned from Egypt, now I’m enjoying a bit of peace before resuming the grind of every day…
Serenity for 2014, Frank… see you around! 🙂 claudine
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Claudine,
Cheers for your return from Egypt, and I hope you had a good trip. Serenity for your evening with hopes it continues throughout 2014. Happy New Year!
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My dear Frank, I wish you a beautiful 2014 – in every way and in good health, for you and your loved ones. My warmest wishes, my friend! 🙂
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Marina,
Thanks the overly kind best wishes … and I hope your move is going well. Cheers to your 2014.
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Overly? nuh! 🙂
Thank you, my friend we’re at the 1/3 of it… 2 full weeks to go! :rol:
Cheers and yamas!!!! 🙂
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Oh my … a long move … nothing like stretching out one of life’s stress events. Keep smiling … PS … wine helps.
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Oh, it’s the shortest possible with all the stuff accumulated, believe me!! Smiling is a must!!! 😉
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… along with wine!
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I am ushered Frank – It is a very quiet, still, overcast but warm morning here in the almost far south of New Zealand. Happy New Year to you and your family! It has been fun following along these past couple of weeks and I look forward to enjoying your posts through the coming year!
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Pauline,
Cheers to you successful crossing into 2014 .. and wishing you positive days ahead!
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I didn’t like this post Frank. In fact I tried to get caught up with your posts and visit a lot of them today but I didn’t like any of them either. Don’t take it too bad though, I didn’t like any other blog either. Yes, you guessed it, not your fault, the folks at WordPress have stuffed up on the last day of the year. Never mind, we’ll have a Happy New Year anyway.
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Fasab,
Oh no … what the heck happened at your end? Maybe this classic will help cheer you up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkTHtWX7CCY
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Ice one 🙂
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That a way!
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Nice to know that Friday is Festival of Sleep Day, Frank. I’ll be back at The Grind and will very likely be doing just that — taking up where 2013 left off.
Happy New Year to you and Mrs. AFA!
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Lame,
Glad I was able to help with your Friday work assignment! Thanks for the best wishes.
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Happy New Year, Frank! Looks like I’ll be spending my New Year’s day driving home from New Hampshire early. Supposed to be a storm along 90 from Ohio into New England on Thursday, exactly where I’ll be driving. In my Prius. With two teenage boys. Bet you’re jealous. 😉
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Carrie,
Now there’s an exciting New Years’ Day! 😉 … More importantly, safe travels … and all the best to your family in 2014!
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Thanks! Same to you. 🙂
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Happy New Year Frank. Really enjoyed you this year. Hope for more of same.
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John,
Glad I was able to entertain … and Cheers to your 2014.
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I was gonna rag on ya for not giving me a day, but then I saw National Humiliation Day. I figure, that’s any day I post something. 😉
Hope you’re having a great New Year’s Eve, and have a wonderful New Year’s Day tomorrow!
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John,
Because Guapo has done a post about his surfing day, I hope you do a post on Friday about humiliation.
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Frank these videos are great 🙂 Ha ha, no alcohol involved. Hard to believe… but makes it all the more truly joyous! Just wonderful. And the bottle band was great.
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Noeleen,
The Mummers are classic … and I’m sure they have more than their share of fun!
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(pst. Pst!) Hey, Frankie, over here! Don’t want to intrude – just wanted to let you know some idiot is slandering your good name. Check out the most recent post from some crazy goof called the “Windy City Wonderer”. Oh – and I was never here. Right? 😉
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No reminder needed as I’ll be over soon.
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Soup and book celebrations-what could be better–Happy New Year Frank!
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LouAnn,
Keep in mind that those are month-long celebrations … so enjoy!
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nothing better!
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No drink! Hardly….. Happy New Year Frank and I am a keen advocate of Guapola surfing day.
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GFB,
Once again, a ginger can’t be fooled.
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Thanks for the great ‘Bottle Band video’. Just the right thing to watch with my first cup of green tea of the year. Happy new Year to you and yours Frank, and good luck with the house move. 🙂
PS: Isn’t there a “Get over a bad cold day?” 😦
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Sylvia,
Bummer on the bad cold … so hopefully the green tea helps do the trick. Meanwhile, cheers to your appreciation of the bottle band.
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I hope you have a fantastic 2014, Frank. 🙂
Happy New Year!
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Alex,
All the best to you as well!
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While listening to iTunes radio recently – I heard a trilingual version of the first song you share. I found it on YouTube. Here it is if you wanna’ check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH6S2xwurC8
Happy New Year!
Happy that 2013 brought us together & I look forward to hangin’ out with you in 2014…
{Hugs}
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RoSy,
Now that one made me laugh!
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🙂
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Stay warm up there!!!!
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I’m trying. It’s not easy. They are calling for extreme cold temps. School might be cancelled on Monday. We just got a recorded message giving us a heads-up.
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Cold is one thing … bitter cold another … then extreme cold is off the charts!
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KayJai and Ted @ SightsNBytes, on The Rock, do mummering a bit differently, less organized, more alcoholised. A great 2014 to you! 😀
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Archon,
Those Newfees are quite the unique breed …. but SnB doesn’t seem to be interested in stopping by here.
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I had seen Mummers once when I was in New Orleans. They were all having a blast and so were the viewers. A happy bunch of people enjoying life without image being self-conscious.
Enjoy it and the others videos.
Happy Happy 2014
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Isadora,
I like the way you put it … Enjoying life with image being self-conscious through Mummers!
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ok a few things:
1. the mummers are (in my observation) a bunch of guys, dressed as girls, doing the Ralph Kramden dance.
2. i can’t imagine any, not any of the mummers not being drunk while “performing.”
3. did you know the mummers have various divisions, including a “wench” division? this, for me, is their only saving grace.
happy new year, and a year of new happiness to you and yours, and those who are not yours but wish were yours, specifically, bb, ak, cr, ip, eieio. and that goes double for me.
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Rich,
That’s JG clip is a hoot … and that’s one that I don’t recall. He has the Mummer’s Dance down! I wonder how many people saw that and never made the connection – which is part of his comic brilliance.
Knowing your ties to the area, I’ve been waiting for your comment about the alcohol.
Now that is one of the best New Year’s wishes ever! Happy New Year!!!
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i have never attended, nor likely ever will attend, a mummers parade. however, i can’t imagine those guys doing it without alcohol. i know there are different levels, such a the “comics” who just prance around like gleason, and the “fancy” ones who have some very elaborate performances. so i won’t argue if someone says that there’s no way the elaborate ones could perform while drunk. but it looks like you have to lose a bet to even be out there, and a few shots of tequila would make it a little easier to paint your face and dress like a bad clown.
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…. Thanks for your report … now back to John in the studio.
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can’t we go to indra with the weather first?
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Good idea … http://youtu.be/ASYltVgu7E8
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uh oh. hold all my calls.
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apparently, an obsessed fan made a site for her. indra.tv
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Obsessed through a channel is a bit over the top.
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BTW …. congrats on #2 commenter here!
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woohoo! i don’t have much, but what i have, i am proud of.
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LOL … and you say it so well.
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in the above video clip, skip ahead to 22:40.
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Well the Mummers are at least very festive. We have a Doo-Dah Parade out here…it makes little sense to me either, but is a big hit. It sounds to me like you have a lot of transition to come in 2014 and I hope it will be an abundant year, Frank. We have a lot of family transitioning going on in our lives, too, with older parents and a variety of challenges, but I am hopeful that we’ll adjust with the winds of change. I plan to pour myself into gardening therapy, so the Year of Family Farming may be a nice way to go! Cheers!
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Debra,
Thanks for the tip on the Doo-Dah Parade. Courtesy of YouTube, it brought a smile! The Mummers Parade is a big deal in Philadelphia, and the bands have elaborate shows.
Good luck with those challenges ahead, and the garden therapy will work! … and I hope you got all of these celebrations into your calendar!
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Love the Mummers, there is a compilation (it is long so I won’t post it) of the best from the 70 through 2010. The bottle band is interesting, they are so serious!
Happy New Year Frank. I wish for you and yours a peaceful one, full of joy and dancing!
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Val,
Cheers to your appreciation of the Mummers! The beginning of the bottle band cracks me up .. that is the conductor’s hand go up, the heads go down to the bottles. Happy New Year to you … and may 2014 bring more smiles as it moves along.
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Wow, now that’s some Ushering in of 2014!…… I am just pooped out reading! I know it will be a great 2014 for many.. 🙂 Happy New Year! to you and Yours Frank may it bring all your Dreams, Health and Happiness..
Sue
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Just Brilliant … love that “looking for a 4 leaf clover” – ages since I listen to it .. last time. At least 40 *laughing. Very enjoyable post and it made me sing along … tomorrow I think I will celebrate whipped cream day. *smile
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Viveka,
That a way to get in the spirit! You made may day … If you celebrate Whipped Cream Day early, you’ll have to celebrate again on Sunday. 🙂 … A shot for the can directly into my mouth for me!
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