"Awesome," said Maddie.



"I guess that means you like the horses."

She nodded. "Yeah. They're awesome."



We watched as row after row of horses passed. Three rows in, Maddie's ears perked up and she glanced up at me. "Why are there horses on our street?" she asked. "Hey horses," she called, turning back toward the magnificent beasts. "Where are you going?"

"It's Butter and Egg Day, remember," I replied. We watched as the horses continued queuing up.

"Oh, that would explain all the chickens and stuff at Our Best Friends on Friday. Y'know, that would be the coolest job in the world."


"Our Best Friends?" I responded, confused. "Maddie, you already work over at Our Best Friends."

"No, not that," said Maddie. "Sheesh. I mean the horses."

"You want to be a horse?"

"No, I want to ride a horse. That'd be the coolest."

I chuckled.

"What, I could be a cowgirl," said Maddie. "I could ride a horse."

"You have ridden Champion at Heebe Jeebe."

"That's just not the same," said Maddie.


The horses past, Maddie watched a young man roll a cart up the street in their wake. "What's he doing?" she asked. As if answering, he scraped up a cluster of road apples with his rake and deposited them into his cart. Maddie's gaze narrowed. "Ooooh," she said. "I take it all back. That would be the coolest job in the world."




One of several dogs that said hello to Maddie during the parade.

Spotted on American Alley:


"No way you're trying that thing on me," says Maddie. "I don't do trash hats."


Stencil graffiti panel.


Angel.


Worm.


"I'm not so sure about this art stuff," says Maddie.


The bug that tried to hitch a ride home on Jennifer's shoulder.