fussy mcwiggles reporting on the 201st...

I'm here at one site of the Stairs of Death!

No, those are not on the route of the 201st St. Patrick's Day Parade, here in sunny - but cool - Savannah, G-A.

I recall going up and down those steep steps in high heels, once upon a time, when I was a much younger lass.

Ah, the follies of youth!

I'm not completely sure, but I think my last time on River Street may have been when Melaness was in town.

I'm not there now, that's for sure - far too chilly to hang outside by the water!

Too chilly to hang outside for the Parade, too.

That's why I watched it on TV, at home, with a cup of (decaf) coffee in hand.

I'm so fortunate to not be one of these marchers!

I cannot imagine how early they rose today to get into their assigned place, but It was much earlier than I got out of my warm bed.

This band of 180 members was from Orlando, Florida, and this was their very first time being in the Parade.

I sure hope they get a chance to enjoy Savannah before their return!

A few minutes later, along came the man I wait to see every year!

Yes, I'm talking about that saber-wielding, belly-dancing, Shriner!

This is his 27th year in the Parade, in this role, and he's been doing it come rain, come shine, come cool breeze from the north!

I've not ever kissed his belly, but lots of others have, and I wonder: how many of those lips have done so for 27 years?

(smile!)

My thanks to WSAV and WTOC for providing live coverage of the Parade, as they have done for the last few years.

That certainly makes it easier for me to watch the many entries from the Shriners - the clowns, the pirates, the Dune Cat riders, the Alee cops, and others - multiple times, switching back and forth between the two local channels.

My thanks, also, to Patrick Young, living down in Jacksonville now, for the mock-Irish name!

I wonder what my Irish stepdad would make of this little game?

Frank Barry would become Fussy O'Gratin using this scheme - that's pretty funny!

I'm sure he would agree.

(smile!)