About Lamb's huge flag

As you motor over Bullwhacker Hill, heading into Prescott, you can't miss the giant flag that flies over the Lamb Chevrolet dealership. I especially liked these pictures taken at dusk as the Sson and I returned from our visit to the model shop down in Glendale.

The flag is a bit of an expense. As big as it is, the colors fray in the wind and need replacing once or more during the year. A good $ grand or thereabouts, so I'm told.

Here's a view of the flag during the bright daylight. It really does dominate the scene.

And, as long as I am posting flag pictures, I thought of this pair which includes the state flag -- which I just now discovered was coming apart at one of the seam lines.

Showing the colors on Flag Day

As ever, the much decorated house on Park Avenue was prepared for Flag Day this morning; in fact, it's been ready since before Memorial Day, though my impression is that a quite a few extra little flags have been planted in the lawn since.

Over at the WalMart today, these bolts of fabric with a patriotic theme caught my eye and, when the sales clerk asked what I was up to and I explained, she proudly displayed the little sun dress (below) that she made for her granddaughter.

Some displays are more permanent, for example the representation above in the forge at Memphis' National Museum of Ornamental Metal. And of course, Americans like to wear their sentiments on their cars, as below.

In fact, automobile dealers appear to be the merchants most likely to feature the Stars and Stripes in a big way. The huge American flag that flies over the Lamb dealership on SR 69 was sufficiently visible to my camera that I took the picture above from a half mile west of downtown. I've heard that this particular flag must be replaced two or three times per year, at a cost in the thousands.

Another flag, not quite as big but almost, flies over auto row in Memphis, where I took this and the next picture. But if commercial use of our flag disturbs any reader, he or she should think about all those British products that sport the Union Jack...

Flags to celebrate springtime

I suppose that if I really checked out the local True Value thoroughly, I could locate the proper hardware to mount my own flags. I like 'em; they're bright, colorful, seasonal and generally of good cheer. Thus far, I've left it to others.

Sandy's Corner on Gurley Street obviously owns an excellent collection; the flags are changed quite regularly. BTW, a question of old-timers -- what did the original occupant of this store sell? There's that hint of a Dutch windmill building on top of the roof, which is symbolic of dairy products in the USA, which, in turn, says that the primary product must have been ice cream.

Another business with a big-time collection of flags is JB's. Currently the theme is obviously Spring!

Happy bluebirds (above) & a pissed-off bluebird (below).

My neighbor has furled his dog and is now flying a stylized sun, seen through the aspen catkins. What could be more springlike?

Was tempted by the pretty swallowtail butterfly when I stopped by Tuesday Morning on Wednesday. But, again, there's that business of the necessary hardware. And the installation. And making up my mind just where to put it. Decisions, decisions, decisions. I hate to make decisions.

7 flags over Gurley

My furnace man showed up and the house is finally warmer. In fact, our whole world has warmed. So the bro and I walked downhill to talk to the bankers. (My, that sounds classy; actually, what we both needed was some cash.) What we noticed on the walk were the flags. At the Bead-It shop, the banner was partially wrapped around its staff, so I don't know what the picture was.

It was Christmas three ways at Sandy's, the house of stamps. Hark the herald angels very much in evidence above and a classic Santa below.

What really impressed us, however, was the super- patriotism at Porky's. Those dang stars and stripes are down to waist level right in the middle of the sidewalk. However, it took the bro's sharp eyes to see not one but three flags in the picture below! That brings the day's take to seven flags total.

Waving the Flag

Don't know if it's current politics or what -- but I've seen more flags around and about this year than is usual. It may just be that the big flag factory in China has doubled production. In any event, flags are definitely in this year. On sale everywhere, too. Today, the Niece from Memphis took me out to Home Depot to get a few more flowers and a replacement hose for the ratty item I'm currently using and there was this casual bucket of flags for one's yard. Very interesting -- these flags, unlike most, had been prewaved. No need for wind any more with one of these.

Easter Parade, 2007-Style

Easter is upon us. I've seen four different Easter-themed flags around town today. For example, the jolly rabbit at JBs, above.

There was also this curious sign at the cash register as I paid for my breakfast. I wonder 1) just how big is the world's largest Easter bunny and 2) who certifies that this particular animal fits the billing. Spoil sport, that's what I am.

This afternoon, when I called on Mom over at Las Fuentes, she was with a group who had been coloring Easter eggs.

Here's some of their product!

And look at the dye all over Mom's hands.

The house of holiday lights has been decorated for Easter for a good week or so.

This was part of the promotional decor at the CVS pharmacy.

Plenty of seasonal merchandise, including chocolate bunnies. After all these years, I suppose they comprise a tradition of sorts. As a kid, I preferred my chocolate rabbits to be hollow. Don't know why, since a filled one adds up to a lot more candy. Maybe it's because the nougat filling diluted the sheer chocolate-ness of the hollow form.

They also had bean bag peeps...

...and, wonder of wonders, one item that rather diffidently brought up the subject of why Easter. It set me to thinking about this totally Disneyfied holiday. Chicks. Colored eggs. Bunnies. Is that all there is? I'm not a religious person, but Easter, after all, has major historic significance. It is the high point of the year for most Christian congregations. A pity to see it so trivialized.

Seasonal note: There have been a surprising number of referrals from The Google to my post about the Shrine of St. Joseph. The shrine must receive many visitors at this time of year.

Flags for the Current Season

Brrr! That's the message of this seasonal flag I caught when walking the neighborhood this afternoon. Its setting, among the pines, is appropriate to the frosty mood. Looks very Kinkade-ish on closer inspection.

The local proprietors of the local JBs also make a point of changing banners to suit the season and/or holiday. Reminds me of the house over on Park Avenue that has lights and other yard decor for major holidays.

I've no idea just what this grand frog symbolizes. I don't think the Chinese have a Year of the Frog--besides, it was supposed to be the Year of the Pig across the Pacific. Perhaps the frog is an appeal for more moisture. With suction pads like those, he must be a tree frog of some sort. He's green like the tree frogs I recall from Florida -- but they weren't as fat as this guy. Believe it or not, there are two species of tree frog in Arizona, one of which is the official State Amphibian, beating out the spadefoot toad! (Getting back to the original subject, here is a site with flags and banners for every occasion or fancy.)

Banners & Flags: Color For Every Occasion

The idea probably originated with the peace movement of the 60s and 70s: "why not an anti- nationalistic flag." Like everything else from that period, colorful flags and banners celebrating, well, whatever, have been co-opted by the general culture and you find them here, there and elsewhere.

There's one house near Park Avenue that flies a flag for each season of the year. Currently, of course, a monster suitable for Halloween, a universal for autumn.

In keeping with its cottage look, this nearby home welcomes visitors with old-fashioned apples.

Here's a barn, plus a patriotic touch...

...while this house with a landscaped wall features a robin on its banner.

Businesses, too, fly these flags with light-hearted themes in company with the American colors. Here at the stamping craft shop on west Gurley Street...

...and over on Miller Valley at the sunglass emporium.

JBs hangs a couple with seasonal themes on the inside of the restaurant. This one shouts "Thanksgiving".

And, not to be outdone, the city has its own standard decorating light poles downtown. I believe there are at least two other designs, one featuring the "Christmas city" logo.

Note: Already I'm out of date! The Christmas City banners are already up. And Halloween hasn't even happened yet.