Opening Day - 2011

The pulse of a high school marching band drew me to the window. The Findlay Market Opening Day Parade was underway so I grabbed my lunch and relocated to the conference room. From 14 stories up only the most graphic floats and banners were recognizable but the parade was fun to watch nonetheless. Even at my lofty perch, I could hear the cheers and clapping of the spectators as the military groups marched by. I love that we honor these men and women, no matter our political views. I t was a shame that the weather was so cold and my grandchildren could not be at the parade. Brody would have loved watching Lightening McQueen and “Mater, cruising in front of Mack, the 18 wheeler. I also could not collect the coveted candy from up here so I had nothing but observations to share with them later. I watched for my favorite part of the long and elaborate parade and soon I saw four pair of Clydesdales pulling a shiny red wagon south on Race Street. Even though I have never been enamored with horses, I love the massive horses that prance proudly with their hair done up and their feathers brushed. I fell in love with Clydesdales at a County Fair in Boise, Idaho. In the early morning before the rodeo ground events, we were permitted to visit the stables and watch the preparations for the horses’ performance. Grooms meticulously braided their manes and brushed their coats. Each stall had an engraved plaque with each horse’s name as they stood patiently, enjoying the attention. Dressed up and ready to go, they were hitched to the tall, shiny red wagon then preformed precision drills around the rodeo grounds. You could tell, even from the grandstands, that these horses loved what they were doing and did it well. If I ever am crazy enough to own another horse, it would have to be a draft horse. Oh, yes, and I would have to win the lottery just to afford the feed, the stable, the handler and the ranch. So don’t look forward to riding any percherons or Belgiums at my house in the near future. Sorry. But for now, I’ll just sit back and enjoy more of the parade before I turn on the ballgame to listen to the Red’s first win on this chilly, opening day.