I feel so great when I stretch myself and complete something on my "sure want to do list."
After Christmas, I had the opportunity to sign up as a Rose Parade volunteer so I signed up along with two of my kids and my parents. Christmas was a time for mostly being at home away from Covid germs so this was a big adventure!
Here is why this is the perfect activity for us...
*I LOVE roses.
*I LOVE the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. I love their work in conservation, education, and promoting local communities to participate around the world.
*I love the Rose Parade but prefer to watch at home in comfort (a balcony overlooking the parade in a comfy condo would work too but I don't have those kind of resources). So seeing the floats up close is awesome.
Holidays are great but distractions and new experiences can help us navigate as I am still getting a handle on the kids growing up and this being a widow thing. Trying new things really helps me feel adventurous and happy. Trust me, I could get an Academy Award in drama (not talented at acting just great at being dramatic) so I need to work to keep things light.
I put on my rose perfume and rubbed in some rose lotion and headed up to Pasadena with snacks, chairs, jackets, gloves, and scissors.
Here are some pictures from the day...
Note: The floral glue is quite sticky but it does eventually come off your hands. Another volunteer suggested bringing Vaseline because if really helps remove the glue.
Working next to the larger than life California condor was great. Just before my husband died, we took a trip to Big Sur. On a hike were we were up high and overlooking the ocean on one side and a valley on the other, we saw a condor flying and swoop into the valley. It was a highlight of our trip and one of our last adventures together. We call these connections "heavenly hellos." It is like Shawn is saying, "Hey, remember our trip to Big Sur where we saw the condor? Me too, so I thought I'd have you work on this float right by the big condor so you remember too and we can think about each other." My husband is romantic like that so that is how I choose to see things.
I love the condor story and conservation so much, I have created some products for my classroom. If you'd like some conservation activities for your classroom please check out my conservation products HERE. The Pacific Pocket Mouse project is great for 2nd or 3rd grade science. The Endangered Animal Project is great for 5th and 6th graders. I love the Condor Conservation Project. It goes well with 4th grade California social studies or 6th grade human impact units.
The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo's Safari Park recently rebranded their vision and launched the San Diego Wildlife Alliance. Watch the intro video below if you'd like.