For that matter, it won’t be one story either. I’m not sure I’m capable of that, since my career is pretty much that of a glorified storyteller. Oh, do I love stories. Even when I think they’re not that interesting, I prove myself wrong each time.
It’s very live and let live, unless you cut in line at the winter farmer’s market and get the last of the kale! (slight joke) I’m not here to say that any way to live is right or wrong, but I’m telling you like it is. Northampton and its surrounding areas have a high number of unique lifestyles. I could say gay, bi, trans, etc. but it’s much more than that. It’s like I said – live and let live. Be and let be. Rock out and let others rock out. In other words, “Who cares if it isn’t hurting you?” Unless someone cuts you off from their little hybrid car, that runs on corn oil. Then just give them a friendly wave, or a one finger salute.
Thing is, my kids don’t know any other way to live – other than letting other people live (kale and corn oil cars, aside) – and I don’t really want to tell them the truth quite yet. That there are a bunch of people in this world who aren’t comfortable with who they are, and they try to change it for the rest of us. This here is our land of rich greenery and rich Pride.
This was not our most recent Pride Parade and Rally. This was in 2016, but hey, that’s where my Photo Share Fridays have been taking place, so why change it now? It rained in May of 2016 for three weeks straight. I couldn’t bear it. I had all kinds of fantasies about pelting Mother Nature with kale and corn oil. And I wanted to leave. I’m really glad I didn’t, though.
We’ve been bringing both kids since they were babies. I would have come earlier, had I known about the parade! We only missed one year because I was photographing a senior beauty pageant in Connecticut, but generally we always go, and the sun ALWAYS comes out. It’s always a gorgeous day. Even last year the second the parade started, the rain clouds ducked away and revealed a sparkling sun over all of the rainbows and the fanfare. If that isn’t magic, I don’t know what is!
This is me linking up, as one of my favorite things to do, with Finish The Sentence Friday. This week’s topic is Photo Share Friday. And there’s still time to write yours. Come link up with your spin: HERE. What’s your photo? What’s its story?
Which photo most invites you to find out the story?
What can I say, but your photos seriously are always the bomb! I truly felt like I was marching with all of you as I scrolled. Then when I realized I wasn’t, wished I was! Happy Friday, my friend 🙂
Oh my gosh, amazing pictures! Looks like so much fun!
I took my girls by accident last month to a glitter event at the MOA that turned out to be the drag queen competition for our city. Don’t know how I missed that fact, but here’s the deal, bc we are who we are, my 16 year old learned some fab tips about putting on makeup from this years queen and my 10 year old learned how to draw her nose better from one of the contestants. The world is just grand!
Yep – my son and I shall never forget being treated by my then 90 year-old mom to the drag queen show at the top of the St. Francis in San Francisco. Live and let live, indeed.
I’m definitely going to have to find out if you have written about this one!
A full hour, that is a long parade! Excellent pictures. I love the one of the lady looking at you and she’s also holding a camera. She had a warm and beautiful smile. I’d like to know her story about being there that day.
I could actually find out for you! That’s my good friend, Heather. I believe that’s her church and she’s probably marching with her daughters.
Sweet!
What a colorful parade! Looks like fun and I love the diversity! Fur-people even!
Such amazing photos as always! Your intro really resonated – I was just thinking last night how stories are the gateway to so many others. It’s like you think of one and boom, 400 follow. Last week we had the same idea too with the intro on scents and music (or the week before??). I want to come to your town for this!
I’m sure this one event that is marked on many calendars every year, Tamara! One can’t help but smile looking at all of your fun filled photos. Scarlet looks like she’s really enjoying the colorful parade, and l love the photo of the humble bow of the head of the majestic looking horse.
I think I would love your town. I’m totally a “who cares if it’s not hurting you” person. What an amazing parade – it looks like so much fun to photograph!
heres a surprise* with photos of public events, I enjoy the background as much as the foreground. There they are… ‘real’ people, caught totally at random** but theirs is a world. They got there from somewhere and will (assumably***) continue on with their day, with their lives and, though I probably won’t ever see them again**** its still cool.
fun FTSF, yo
*not
** in the sense of non-intentionality of the photographer, mostly
*** I mean, I know a lot of my reality is in my head, but I still maintain my membership among the down-to-earth-rational1
**** though, how cool would it be if they turned up again
1) honorary membership, of course
Great photos, Tamara! What a fun parade. We have a really big one here in Vancouver, B.C. It’s a ‘summer thing’.
Such colorful photos. What a long parade! It matches the length of some of the Veterans’ Day Parades here. On a cold rainy day, I would think being dressed in a furry animal costume would be most comfortable, and riding inside the bus. 🙂 As usual your daughter seems to be having a great time. Is she giving out candy, or collecting it?
This is my kind of parade! I wish Texas did more parades like this, but Texas can be…sort of close minded. Which is sad. I know my daughter would love to see this.
Fab pictures! Really beautiful! Looks like a great time too!
Oh my gosh this was SO MUCH FUN to read and to SEE!! I absolutely LOVE this post, this message, coming from such a beautiful spirit with which it was written and captured. I want to live in that town, and I want to live near YOU.
Where you live always seem like so much fun, that I really do need to make it your way one day and join in. BTW I’m just loving all the colors of the parade.
I love that your town has this parade, Tamara! Every time I see photos you took at the parade, it makes me smile. What wonderful memories these will be for your kids, and for everyone living in such an inclusive town.
inspirational from so many different point of views: the NOHO community, you as a parent, your children. i know i have prejudices and biases, but i try to be open and receptive and surround myself with people from all walks of life. when people can feel happy and free, this world can be an amazing place.
I’m having so much fun catching up with your blog. What joyful pictures these are! I’m smiling a lot right now.