Happy NEW YEAR! I've been writing sporadically because James and I have been spending a lot of time together. With our immediate family, with our friends and with each other. Tomorrow will be the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade. Raul R. Rodriguez will be riding on Indonesia's float; his 500th design for the Rose Parade. Mr. Rodriguez always has Sebastian riding with him.
You'll also hear the name of Isabelle Coleman. Ms. Coleman was a ground breaker - had several innovative ideas - began her involvement with the parade when she was 12. She began by pasting flowers on floats and continued to be involved with Rose Parade floats for the next 60 years.
Mr. Rodriguez was 15 when he created his first Rose Parade float. He was been winning awards for his designs since that time. He has probably won more awards than other rose Parade designer. He has been gracious and has even served as the Grand Marshal for our very local Latino Heritage parade.
5 years after Ms. Coleman retired the T of R estblished an award in her honor. I'm betting that the same thing will happen for Mr. Rodriguez...at some point in the future.
Mr. R floats my boat. His is the only name I know in the canon of Rose Parade. Long may he wave.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. And a class act, too. The first time we were going to have the Latino Heritage parade it was rained out. He came to Pasadena, despite the pouring rain, and was gracious with every person who hadn't received the notice not to come. Classy and kind, what a guy.
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