Quirky

I went to the State Fair for the first time since before the pandemic. As always, I loved the bright lights, colors, and motion on the midway.

Today was the first time in 13 years that I didn’t spend the first Sunday in November at the Marigold Parade in the South Valley. I didn’t go because it didn’t happen — the organizers are taking a break this year to regroup and possibly find another direction.

The Marigold Parade has been one of my favorite days of the year for over a decade. It’s always happened very close to my birthday (some years on my birthday itself) and I must say, I felt slightly depressed all day. It seemed like a very special day that fell completely flat this year.

In honor of the many years of joy that parade has brought me (and countless others, no doubt), here’s one of my all-time favorite shots. I took it 5 years ago, on an uncharacteristically cloudy and rainy day. This little girl was standing close to me with her Halloween bag, collecting all the candy parade participants were throwing to the crowds. I took several photos of her when she wasn’t looking — but in this one she saw me. I thought her side-eye was incredibly impressive — and adorable.