Another sunny, warm day. Almost too warm. Those in the Lower Lower 48 would relish weather like this – it would not be too hot for them. I can’t imagine and I hope I never experience 100˚ F plus heat here. Temperatures in the upper 70s good enough.

Got up at 6:00 a.m. It was still chilly. Took care of the animals. Ate breakfast. Got dressed for a parade. Wore my Bright Lights Book Project hat and tee shirt. We loaded Hrimmi into the trailer and took the back route to the Palmer Senior Center. We unloaded the horse and then got the gear out of the truck. I went twice to see if I could find our parade lineup number. Second time, made a phone call. Returned to staging area and there were Sharon and Harry – they brought along costumes and hats, enough for the dozen people who showed up to walk with Pete, Hrimmi, and me.

Dressed for a parade

Pete walked Hrimmi and the others pulled wagons. We ended up where we were supposed to be, spot #7. A woman dressed in a bee outfit led the cheers, which began as we started out. There were a few people alongside S. Valley Street. We turned the corner and looked down the street and saw it was lined with children. We filled their bags with books, not candy.

Got to the grandstand and sang a song and danced a dance. Hrimmi heard the music and spooked. We’d run out of books. I ran back to the hotel and grabbed a box of books. I then went and passed them out, then went and grabbed another box of books, which I also passed out. We finished at the Alaska Veteran Pioneer’s Home. The residents were outside, sitting in chairs, watching the parade finish up.

The entire way, the children were glad to get books, and their parents were glad to see their children get books.

I talked a bit with Logan of Alaska Nomad Cinematics. He always has this half smile – he thinks this whole book project idea is pretty outrageous. He said that, yes, he will post our video on our website.

Later, after the parade was over, we went to Bleeding Heart Brewery, and we were told that I am going to be in their first podcast – I had inadvertently walk onto the set where Logan was making the video.

It’s been a long few weeks, what with getting ready for the silent auction and the parade – I do feel bad that I didn’t have enough books – I should have known.

We did sell most of the silent auction items. Pete was a high bidder – he got his picnic basket with his wine and donated bread and honey back – of course making a donation to the BLBP. And my rocking horse and history of the rocking horse book sold for $85.00. I put a high bid on it so that I might get it back. I suspect that the person who acquired Charlie will give him just a bit more spit and polish.

Next: 163. 6/15/25: A Day at Home