Positive Post
April 27, 2008
Sunday

Academy Awards

I'd like to thank myself for the lovely movie I created yesterday, inspired by a trip to Wickam Park.
I have to take credit for the writing, directing, editing and of course being the lead actress!
The script of course changed substantially as did the plot and characters.

I wrote my husband out of my movie, after reading aloud the Positive Post I sent to all of you yesterday, although he and I were laughing out loud, his vibe just wasn't up to playing the part. He was happy, when I
fired him, allowing him to have a Saturday afternoon to himself.

After pre-paving my day with the story of how it would go with intention, feeling and
emotion, when I stepped into the movie, my vibe became even more appreciation and
a even greater feeling of a BIG DAY OUT! I was excited and in the moment, ready for whatever!

I went to the book sale first.
The moment I walked into the book sale, the prices had dropped to half price!
How fun is that for me and my little book business.
Interesting!

I am so grateful that I packed my shoes, although as it turned out, I didn't
need my cushy volatile platform sled designed for walking shoes.
I never once complained about painful feet, thanks to the golf cart, we never
walked more than 25 paces.

Here's the thing about that golf cart:
I am grateful, they fixed it (the battery was dead for the last day or so)
They said when I called them on their cell phone from the north entrance parking lot,
they had just gotten it fired up and they would be right over!
Nice coincidence, right? After all else failed, they removed the truck battery. It worked
and the timing was perfect!....and it looked so cute, they had attached an American
Flag on a two by four to the back!

Lunch at Charlie and Jake's a local brewery, turned into a fast food Gyro at the park listening
to live music from the 60's.....ahhhhhhh.....it was delicious and we had some good conversation.
My friends were focused on the gathering and to leave would be going against the flow. They bought
me a Gyro and I will never forget sitting in the golf cart parked by the picnic tables and then all the razzing from other vets....about silly stuff. The way they talk to one another. It was FUN!

The weather was more than perfect.....ahahahaha

The "extras", you know the acting extras, were old yet colorful, the last of a dying breed.
The average age was 60 and up!
My age....it's just that everybody just seemed at least 20 years older than me,
through my eyes.
: )
Men everywhere.
Long beards like ZZ top
Long gray and white hair in pony tales.
Leather vests with embroidery "Vietnam Vet"
No young "bucks".....where were the young guys?

Tents
Parachutes strung like tents
Trailers
RV's
Monster busses

Picnic tables covered with red and white squared Italian restaurant material.

Huge stage with a curtain and a wood platform.
Music from the 60's and 50's
A minister with a hook arm singing on a mike with full orchestra.
Magical, awesome, mesmerizing

Vendors, memorabilia
Food.....ahhhhh...the smell of sausages, fries and Gyros

So many old men.
I adore old men.
I have a penchant for old men.
I married one!

Good thing I left before dark or I would have been up on a picnic table dancing all night
with whoever...hahahaha....not that I drink....the mood and the music was stirring!

The Wall was stirring as was the new Afghanistan and Iraq wall .
I felt myself welling up as the color guard marched
and
I felt myself stifling tears (a choice, I choose)
with the sight of flowers and the full bottle of beer left for soldiers past.

So much to see, so much to process.

My movie's high point was being read to by my friend.
He read a sign about freedom and how the protected would never understand.

I am grateful that others have the freedom to gather and celebrate and re-new
old friendships and have things to look forward to that stir them and that we
get to join or not according to what we choose.

I don't have to fully understand but I appreciate it all.
Peace,
Judy Barnhart