Friday, and it’s not just a beautiful day in Maine.  It’s an incredibly beautiful day in Maine, the kind of day when a man or woman might call in sick to their job.  I’m not that kind of woman, but it’s bright, clear, and lovely and I can’t judge others who might say “screw it” and go to Reid State Park or Popham Beach after making a quick, cough-filled phone call.

Here in Moxie Town, things have hit the “full nutty” phase of preparations for the Moxie Festival.

I can’t quite explain it; it’s something in the air.  I can just feel it.  From across the pond, at Moxie Festival Parade central, I get sporadic texts messages from Gina.  “Marching band headcount finalized” and “Kora clown car confirmed.”

The phone rings.

It’s a photographer from a local paper, she wants to take a picture of me “cooking with Moxie.”  Says she’ll even come to my house, to make things easier.  This necessitates a night of kitchen cleaning.  I’m part French Canadian, remember?  Spic and Span runs through my blood.

While shining things up, I make a Moxie Chocolate Cake, another batch of Leanne’s ice cream topping, and experiment with some Moxie-macerated strawberries.  Maybe I’ll serve it all in with some Moxie-infused Cool Whip with a pretzel on top.

Ironing…that’s this morning.  I might need to iron that blue check tablecloth I washed last night.  It looks good against my orange circle skirt.  Yes, I finally broke down and had my own Moxie costume made.  I’ve got the beads, too.

The photographer asked “Do you need me to pick up any Moxie?”

Seriously?

I wish I could sink my toes into some beach sand, but I’ve got work to do, taking care of the Moxie business.  We are going full nutty.

Klown Kar Konfirmed, with a pretzel on top.