All the young people who got sleds, skis, snowboards, ice skates, or other winter recreation gear must be pretty happy. This January Sunday has produced a second supply of snow and should satisfy all winter sports enthusiast folks. I kept thinking yesterday how kind Mother Nature was to hold off the snow in Washington, D.C., so the inaugural parade could take place.

It was so nice to see that big sign reading “Newtown, Conn.” as the Second Company Horse Guard stepped briskly in front of the reviewing stand. The Trumbull High School Band, making its second appearance in an Inaugural Parade, ignored the rainy drizzle as it marched proudly in  front of the new president and all the dignitaries.

Television coverage of the big event was very good and so many of the images and events were the kind that make Americans proud. Protesters along the parade route did little to dampen the spirits. The musical units selected the best of the best as they stepped smartly to tunes of John Phillip Souza and other songwriters. The master of marches would be proud to know how much we use his work, so many years after it was written.

Several to whom I’ve spoken were generous in their praise of the men and women who have begun to guide the country. I agree with the many public as well as private commentators who feel we have restored dignity and morality and grace to our White House.

The only unappreciated note of the day seemed to be the embarrassing way the former President Clinton made his exit from the Capitol. His final day in office was noteworthy only because of its attempt to hang on to the spotlight. I have heard several commentators speak of that as a reflection of his need to claim the spotlight.

Perhaps for awhile, the young people of our country can find encouragement from the role models we hope we can hold up to them. They have some in the world of sports and now maybe they will find others to inspire them from the government of our country. There is a sensitive note of hope in the tone of things as they are happening. Let us hope we won’t be disappointed.

This Sunday is also “bird day” in my small yard. The cardinal is even now trying to get to the sunflower tube feeder to claim some lunch. The mockingbird has been to the water dish at least three times. The pair of titmice are back and forth from one of the feeders and the ground is busy most of the time as the small birds find the seeds I put out early this morning.

The quote in last week’s column was by Henry David Thoreau.

Who said “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”?