Saturday, July 4, 2009

The 4th


Today is the 4th of July

I used to go camping as a child. We would celebrate the 4th on a river watching the bumping meet the rocks. I would try to ride an old tube down the wilds. Sometimes I would just sit on a rock and watch the water pool in a circle.

When I was 18, I was touring the United States on a bus with a load of girls. My Mom's version of a graduation present. A historical tour it was called. We spent the 4th in Boston. I walked for what seemed like forever and ended up at a huge park. (I came from a small town so this was a really big park) I got to enjoy and listen to Arthur Fiedler perform. They sure know how to celebrate the 4th in Boston.

Other 4th's were driving to one of the big hills in my hometown, Tacoma. We would have the radio on and listen to the music that went along with the fireworks that we could see from our car. As soon as they were done, we drove like crazy to get out of the crowd.

One 4th we went to a river and had a picnic with watermelons. I was young young then.

In later 4th's, I spent time hiding inside. I lived in a cul de sac where they did fireworks aimed at my house ... yes, lovely neighbors I had. They didn't care about anyone but themselves. Never and I put that in capitols ...NEVER ever buy a house in a cul de sac.

Now, I enjoy 'it' on TV if I'm still up by the time 'it' goes off. The last couple have been spent here at the beach ... where I am today ... July 3rd. We bought tons of fireworks from the local Indian reservations. Mary ... sells them all year ... well, not all year but almost.

Last year we did them on the big lake ... what I call our beach place. When the tide is in, which it seems to be a lot, it looks a lot like a very big lake. My family did fireworks down near our bulkhead ... the area that holds up the hill near the big big lake. It was a bit rainy so I stayed inside with the cats and dogs.

Very pretty ... people do fireworks all around the lake which is fabulously colorful ... loud but still pretty. It went on for hours.

This year we bought a load of fireworks and I actually participated in the buying. I do hope 'it' goes well. It's been dry and windy here ... no rain til Tuesday. I plan on enjoying the display of wild colors that my family shows our portions of the very big lake.

That's my 4th of July plans ... what's yours ?

12 comments:

ellen abbott said...

This will be a quiet fourth this year (well, relatively speaking). None of the horde is coming down this year so it is just me, Husband and granddaughter. They have gone off to buy some fireworks. We might go to the next little town over for their display.

JC said...

That sounds like fun.

The little beach area here actually closes off ... they are a gated community which normally doesn't close the gate. They have a security guard and it gets crazy.

Our beach house is four houses before the bridge that leads to this small beach area.

Normally very quiet but on the 4th ... crazy.

Fun though ... we might go on a canoe ride ...

Shaggy and Scout said...

Your lake place sounds nice. I'd like to have a place like that to escape to. Many people around here have lake cabins "up north".
Anyway, just relaxing at home for us. We've had lots of stress the last several years and just quietly relaxing is perfect!
Happy 4th!

Anonymous said...

Happy July 4th!!! Even on Canada Day, I did nada...just no festivities around in French Quebec, very sad...next year I'll be celebrating on PEI with bells on though!

Nancy said...

Hope you have a great day. The lake sounds just wonderful.

Karen said...

JC we live on a cul de sac...I know what you mean. Next time we buy a house I want a country place. Happy 4th, sounds fun where you are!

Lori at Jarvis House said...

Today I did a blog about Red,White, & Blue flowers that are blooming in my garden. Check out the new post http://wwwjarvishouse.blogspot.com/and e-mail me your e-mail so that I can put you on my contact list. I am trying out a new version of my e-mail and things got jumbled a bit. Happy Fourth

Sultan said...

I hope you have a nice day.

Pop and Ice said...

I'm just listening to the fireworks going off all around our house while the cats watch in fascination and then run off because of the noise! They are my evening entertainment.

critterlover said...

Sounds like fun! We're laying low, I just gave my sweet scardy Purdy some Valerian Root in hopes of calming a very anxious big dog. We'll hide out here and hope to keep the critters safe and calm.

Noll's Nip said...

LOL about the cul de sacs...(aren't they supposed to be quiet?) Happy Belated 4th to you!

Judy said...

On Canada Day, I was very quiet - a long walk, and a nap, and a good book. In the evening, the dogs were in a panic because of the fireworks, though, and husband took them to the basement. But with the kids both being thousands of miles away, there was just us.
The cat totally ignored the commotion.

There comes a time in your life when you walk away from all of the drama and the people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right and pray for those who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life, getting back up is living.

~ Jose N. Harris

Characters In My Garden

Purr Gang ~ My five cats

Cats ~ Al, Ashton Rosevelt, Jasmine Marie, Riley Andrew & Meredith Ann

Fur Gang ~ Jodie Isabella and Sally Jean
(The Original member, Sweet Bella is in memory only now. Maddy Jean, another original member, past away in August of 2014)

Mr. Boatman ~ my husband who likes boats

DD ~ my daughter who graduated and is now out living in the real world

DS or Dson ~ my son is studying computer science and math



Maddy Jean & Bella

Maddy Jean & Bella
Both gone but never forgotten

Jodie Isabella

Jodie Isabella

Al

Al
I adopted him from our local Humane Society

Ashton

Ashton
Adopted from my local horse supply store

Jasmine

Jasmine
I adopted her from Purrfect Pals

Riley

Riley
I adopted him from the local Humane Society

Meredith Ann

Meredith Ann
I adopted her from Purrfect Pals