Finishing touches

On Monday morning, I went by to see Downey's entry in the 2019 Rose Parade. The workers were putting the finishing touches on this year's float.

According to the Patriot, "In coordination with the 2019 parade’s theme 'Melody of Life,' Downey’s 2019 entry into the Rose parade is called 'Let’s Go to the Hop' and will take viewers on a rip-roaring, swinging and jiving nostalgic cruise back through the 1950’s...Downey’s entry remains one of only six floats that are designed, built, and decorated solely by volunteers."

Downey is one of only eight cities that enter floats in the parade. That's pretty remarkable when you consider how many cities there are in the Los Angeles area.

Elaine's garden revisited

About three years ago, I wrote about this garden, created by Dave Lopez in memory of his wife Elaine. In those three years, the roses have flourished, to the point that the abundance of white made me stop this week for a closer look.

It has grown into a beautiful and peaceful place.

Rose parade aftermath

Joan wrote earlier this week about Downey's award-winning entry into the Rose Parade. Today I found the float in the Embassy Suites parking lot.

Each year the Rose Parade Float Association sells flowers off the float to advertise the float and to raise money. I stopped by and spoke with Kelley Roberts, the construction foreman, to learn some stats about the float. It runs on a 350 cubic inch engine to power all the weight of the float.

The Royal court is available to inform the public about the float.

This princess has crowned one of her subjects with a long stem rose from the float.

It takes a village

With only one day left to wrap up Downey's entry into the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade yesterday morning, there seemed to be an air of controlled panic at the "float factory" yesterday morning when I stopped by. People of all ages were working diligently on flowers and leaves and doors, and...

The Downey float, the "Dew Drop By," is one of the few floats in the parade that is made soley by volunteers. Around 350 people contributed to the effort, and everyone's help is greatly appreciated.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first Downey float in 1913. Make sure and watch for it tomorrow in the Rose Parade.

Heaven under our feet

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.

~Henry David Thoreau

As I walked past Our Lady of Perpetual Help tonight at dusk, I noticed the statue of Mary. She looked so serene in the little garden at the front of the church. But as I got closer, what really caught my eye was her toes peeking out from under her gown, and the roses that nearly covered them. I love the feeling of bare feet! I hope she enjoys it as well.

Click here for a picture of another statue at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.