The Meeksville Independence Day Parade is always fun and funny, too. And Chicken Harvest’s famous barbeque sauce recipe up at Harmony Park is to die for.

But, that memorable Fourth of July was as hot as a boiling boiler of grits. My friend, Mernie, and I weren’t perspiring. We were sweating and, as old folks said, like hogs.

Maybell, my distinctive Honda mobile, was even running steaming hot on the way to Meeksville.  Too hot to parade.  The parade was lining up very slowly.

“What’s the fastest getaway out of here?”

The familiar fireman didn’t hesitate.  “Pull up here.  Wait ‘till I say go …

We waited… until finally, “Go! Go! Go!”

Maybell kicked up sand. We were homeward bound. Or, we thought.

But, in the rearview mirror told a different story. The Stars and Stripes were waving, the Color Guard was on Maybell’s bumper, the band was playing Activity March. I remembered that for high school band.  Maybell was leading the Meeksville Fourth of July Parade!

What could we do? All we could do was parade! People were already waving and cheering for… Maybell! Some even called her by name.

She had been painted to look like an old quilt. Faded and dented, she was still recognizable.

People were clapping and waving and some calling, “Maybell! Maybell!”

When in Rome …….

So, we rolled the windows down, turned the radio up and blasted hillbilly music as we paraded a slow, slow mile but we were actually disappointed, when the parade reached Harmony Park.

Maybell had her picture taken with her fan clubs. Her windows were washed. Her tires were checked and her hood patted over and over. Cheers could be heard as Maybell honked her goodbyes.

Not long after, Maybell cranked for the last time at home. A hoodstone marks the spot.”

Happy and Safe Fourth of July!! From Maybell and from me.