Your Grandmother Would Be Ashamed

It's time again for Porchfest in Binghamton, New York.

The very first Porchfest took place in Ithaca, New York (about an hour to the northwest of us) in 2007.  I don't think anyone dreamed of how the concept has caught on, but it is now nationwide and in Canada.

From noon to seven o clock today, the "Abel Bennett" historical neighborhood on the West Side of Binghamton, New York (a small city of about 47,000 population) is enjoying "Porchfest", where residents open their porches to bands, who play for free in a celebration of friendship, music, and neighborhood pride.  Although most streets remain open, it's a block party type atmosphere, and family friendly.

Some highlights of Porchfest 2018:

A video for you of "Roadhouse Blues", covered by The Watts.  (Sorry for the blurriness).

What a beautiful garden!

Krooked Knuckles

Alpha Brass Band (the sign at the extreme lower right, which I accidentally cut off, says "Hate has No Home Here".

Of course, there are some who would spoil it for others, and, this year, these signs were everywhere. But I do have to say, if I had a dollar for every can of beer I saw in someone's hands today, I wouldn't need to go to work tomorrow.

But heartache was waiting for me when I returned home for a breather, and found out about the mass shooting at a video game tournament in Jacksonville, Florida.  I'll mention only that Binghamton, sadly, knows about that kind of event, too. Ours happened, in fact, where I went yesterday for the Garlic Festival.

I know both my grandmothers would be ashamed of what our country has become.  And I should be, too, for not speaking out enough.  No one should have to go to a gaming tournament and wonder if they will leave alive.

And once again, we ask:  "why?"