The Wizard of Oz, Homeschooling and Donuts

 

L. Frank Baum, Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

   

CHITTENANGO, N.Y. - Oz-Stravaganza continues in the Village of Chittenango. Hundreds lined Genesee Street Saturday to watch the annual parade.

There were plenty dressed as their favorite characters from the classic film the Wizard of Oz. Chittenango is the birthplace of L. Frank Baum who wrote the book "The Road to Oz."

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the publishing. The festival runs through Sunday afternoon.

A lot of good guesses as to what we were up to last weekend (see previous post), but I guess no one knew about the big "Oz-Stravaganza" in Chittenango.  'Cause Chittenango is such a big metropolis, ha ha. :-)  Anyway, would you believe thanks to my best friend M who we were visting, we were IN the parade?  It was SO MUCH FUN!  There were even three of the original Munchkins there from the film - that was pretty cool.  Can YOU say you've seen actual Munchkins?  Ah, I thought not.  :-D  Here's a little more info about the significance of Chittenango and the Wizard of Oz:

L. Frank Baum, author of the "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was born in Chittenango May 15, 1856. His family owned a barrel factory in Chittenango. In addition to his many "Oz" books Baum also wrote other children's stories and he wrote under other names as well as L.Frank Baum. His most famous book the "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was made into the 1939 MGM classic film the "Wizard of Oz". Baums's books and the "Wizard of Oz" movie are timeless and can be enjoyed by young and old alike.
   
And yes, you folks did figure out I was at the LEAH homeschool convention which was in Rochester.  No, I didn't decide to homeschool, but it was informative, interesting and a lot of fun being there with my best friend and her husband.  I did buy some books for DD and a 600 piece puzzle of the world which we did already (the world is on my kitchen table right now).  I also got a cool book with photos of Laura Ingalls Wilder's real homestead locations.  I love the Little House books.  I would love someday to visit the actual sites though they are all quite far away.  However, I hope at least to visit Almanzo's childhood home sometime which is near Malone, NY, which is a lot closer.

Tomorrow I have to try to mow our lawn in between the raindrops.  Tomorrow might be a good day to start off with a Dunkin Donuts coffee roll for fortification (plus I'll be getting some exercise to work some of it off, unless you know of a diet pill that works??).  The coffee roll is my favorite treat from Dunkin Donuts but lately when I've gotten it, it seems different.  Not as "fluffy" and attractive as I remember it looking.  I don't know if it's "my" Dunkin Donuts or they changed the formula or something.  Still very tasty, just a bit sad looking.  Oh, and speaking of donuts - I went to a Tim Horton's for the first time!  I had the frosted cinnamon roll and butter caramel (I think that was it?) flavored coffee (we don't have any Tim Horton's near where I live).

What's your favorite donut or treat from the donut place?

The end.