Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. The two big festival weekends in Decatur. Our street, Ponce, is shut down and festival tents are raised. And I volunteer. In May, art. In September, books.
It’s hot. I don’t have all the answers. I wear myself out. I look ridiculous in the “uniform”.
But I love it. I love to get out of the house and be useful – I know the answers far more often than I don’t. I love seeing friends – both those that are also volunteering (or working) and those that come into Decatur for the festivals. I love saying hello, smiling, and welcoming everyone to our little city. I love the people watching – readers and art lovers alike are diverse groups!
And I also love that the festival ends on Sunday night, and I get the holiday Monday to recover from the double whammy of heat-induced exhaustion and people-induced exhaustion (as an introvert, this is a biggie).
