Weekend Warrior #25

by Tish MacWebber | Aug 13, 2017 | Weekend Warrior

Here comes another weekend.  I am relaxing with a bottle of wine on this fine Friday night.  It is well deserved and has been in the wine rack for a while.  I kept it so that when I wanted to indulge, I would enjoy it.  I have, indeed.

What else did I do?  I started an Orphan Black Marathon of season 5.  It is the last season, and it ends tomorrow night.  Oh, how bittersweet it will be.

Saturday will be a full on, all out Bouncing the House day.  I need to get some cleaning done, and except for the washing of my delicates tonight while I enjoy the wine, I am falling behind in the housekeeping department, and I need to give it some TLC. My husband will be drafted with a “Honey do list”, and we will get some work done here tomorrow.  Update: I am visiting a friend on Saturday, and I caught up with another friend while running an errand.

Sunday involves a volunteer event.  I am working with the Boston Terrier Rescue Canada group again.  I am an official volunteer, and we will have a booth at the Fredericton Pride Parade.  I have signed on for the walking time in the parade because if I am going to be there, I want to get some exercise.  Walking is good for me. BTRC needs fund raising by people like me to help the non-profit group rescue more dogs in need, foster them, and hopefully place them in homes where they will be adopted.

Volunteers ready to walk in the parade

These t-shirts are hilarious like the bandanas

Flags and phone covers and bling!

Magnets and information about the BTRC Recycling program

Bandanas for the dogs

One of the BTRC bandanas.

The chocolate cupcakes were delicious. They also had popsicles and pup-sicles!

Just like MasterChef! Hands in the air! All done setting up!

Action shot! There were a lot of people out, it was the best turnout ever for Fredericton Pride Parade day!

The Booth is ready for business!

Katie and Sally, all dolled up and riding through the parade in style!

I made it after walking in the parade.

I met some new volunteers today

Face painting success!

As a Catholic who believes in science and that the unexplained mysteries of how science and religion mingle will not be fully explained to me until I reach Heaven (which I sincerely hope to do, but realistically I expect to land in purgatory because nobody is perfect) I try to live my life guided by the church and the bible.  That being said, I have spent many years in conflict with myself.

I have come to terms with how I am able to be friends with different people.  That is the secret.  They aren’t fat or skinny, male or female, black or white, young or old, gay or straight.  They are people.  And as people, we all have our own belief systems.  Mine happens to be based in the Catholic Religion.  It teaches us to love one another, and also not to judge.  With these simple rules, I leave the rest to God.  I am able to be friends with some wonderful, incredible people, and because I do not judge them,  I think I am a better person for leaving the judgements aside and letting more friends into my life.  Like I said, nobody is perfect, and when it is not up to me, I am free to be true to myself.  I am able to open my eyes and see people as they are, people.  Like me.

I don’t usually write about my faith and religion.  I am not attempting to erase the past wrongs done by the Church, or by other Catholics.  I am only responsible for myself and my own actions.  I do try to be a good person, and live my life by example, with the 10 Commandments as my guide.  When I think about the state of the world today, I feel concerned.  I am not confident that humankind will survive the future of what might be.  I decided to write about it because change is possible.  It starts with one person.  I am putting this out there and making it known that I do not tolerate evil, no matter what form it takes.  Hatred is evil, and there is no room in my life for it.  If I had my way, there would be no room in the Universe for it.

The weather is iffy for tomorrow.  There is a chance it will rain, and maybe there will be thundershowers.  Not the best forecast for a parade.  It will happen, rain or shine.  I will try to dress for any weather (that will be challenging) and my sneakers are the best I’ve got for walking.  I am thinking about wearing something fun, in support of my friends.  I don’t have a costume, like some people, but then I am an ally.  It’s not about me.  It’s about allowing people to be true to themselves and to celebrate their acceptance of themselves and each other. Together.  The way people are supposed to be.  United in a common cause and belief, in a peaceful celebration.  I hope it does not rain on the parade.

It poured!  There was a thunderstorm indeed, complete with rolling thunder and lightning.  This happened after the parade, though.  People packed up as quickly as they could and ran for cover.  Imagine it, if you will.  I went to the Fredericton Pride Parade, and I left all wet!  A little (or a lot of) rain never hurt anyone.

Laughing in the rain!

YES!

Before heading home, we stopped at the Tiki Iced Tea Bar. Yes, it was shaken, not stirred, and wonderful!

The city has implemented a rainbow crosswalk downtown.  I think it is nice, and living in such a diverse city, and country, it fits in very well.

Feeling the love after the rain at Fredericton Pride Parade, 2017

That’s a wrap for another weekend!  I won today, but the house did not get bounced properly.  I will say the weekend won Saturday, even though I still had a great time meeting up with friends, I did not accomplish what I set out to do.  This weekend, it was a draw. What did you do this weekend?