To think we almost missed it

What a day-brightener! The Royce West parade was wonderful. We thought we might not be able to fit it in, but we're so glad that we did. What a shame that the turnout was low. Compare that with the Chuy's parade, which we wouldn't miss, but which lately has come to rely all too much on those silly balloons instead of on bands. This morning's parade was bands, bands, bands. Chuy's will bring in the Hardin-Simmons Cowboy Band, which we just love, but that'll about be it. That's how it has evolved from the early years. And then, tonight it was amusing to see that somebody had made a contribution listed in the Butterfly program as being "in honor of" Joseph McClain. We sure miss him. But at least we still have David Nancarrow on most productions, and the chorus is on the upswing again. And Cio-Cio-San sang very beautifully, with just the right color and volume to her voice. As somebody wrote recently, it sometimes does seem as though Butterfly is performed every year, but it's been only three times. And we're glad we didn't skip this one.