It's almost here. Even now as I'm writing this, I can hear the pops and bangs of juveniles with incendiary devices run amok in my neighborhood.Oh yes, the Fourth of July.
I've been dreading it since I saw the first trailers go up in gas station parking lots across town. To explain for those lucky souls who live in states where fireworks are illegal, they're always sold out of rickety looking trailers crammed packed with stuff set in parking lots in every gas station you pass. (Which never made a whole lot of sense to me. Wouldn't it be better to set them up in a grocery store lot or something far far away from gasoline pumps? In case there's some freak tragedy of some kind that would blow up a city block?)
Anyway, I'm all for celebrating independence and all that, but I find that most holidays have evolved to these weird convoluted commercial versions of themselves. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for chocolate bunnies and spiderman costumes, but when it comes down to it, they really don't have much to do with anything. Fourth of July is no exception. How cole slaw and small explosives became the symbols of freedom, I'll never know. Of course, it doesn't help that I really don't like cabbage or fireworks that aren't handled by paid, licensed professionals. Wonder what the 4th of July equivalent of "Bah Humbug" is? :)
At least I get a day off of work for it. (Which I'll probably spend making an American flag cake to take to whatever bbq I end up at.)
A lot of others are probably off today, too, so I'll make this brief...
My heartfelt thanks go out first to the founders of this nation. They had the nerve to do something that had never been successfully accomplished and would've led to their execution for treason if they failed. And to all the soldiers, past and present, who fought to obtain our independence and keep it... thank you as well.
Happy Independence Day.
SP
8 comments:
I hear ya. Fireworks in the hands of anyone with a couple of bucks -- and we haven't had rain in weeks. There's something about dry brush and bottle rockets that makes me nervous.
Hotdogs, hamburgers (hold the cole slaw) and watermelon. Maybe a sparkler. Yeah, not exactly relevant. However -- what about the rousing patriotic music? :-)
LJ
Happy Fourth of July! Not sure if we'll be doing hot dogs, but we'll definitely celebrate this great nation. Thanks to all those men and women now who are serving this nation and protecting us from harm.
And thanks to the families who support them at home!
I do like cole slaw, but not the explosives. At least where I live the fireworks trailers are not close to the gas stations. That's scary!
I'm bah humbugging right there with you. They started with the firecrackers a few days ago and it will go on until they run out. Did I mention I have 2 dogs that absolutely HATE loud popping sounds. Last year they ripped the screen off my new storm door. Arghh!
They do have nice fireworks over the lake here, but then you have to deal with all the traffic and and the obnoxious people that have consumed waaayy to much alcohol beforehand. Oh well.
Have a safe and happy Independence Day!
Hmm, guess I should make plans for the 4th, huh. That kinda snuck up on me.
But the park behind my house does an amazing show and we have a great view!
Happy 4th! I'm not sure what I'm doing tomorrow but I know I'm spending the day with Zilla and the girls today.
Instigator
One of the best fireworks displays I've ever seen was in New Orleans. We stood along the riverwalk while they shot off fireworks from barges in the river. A local radio station broadcast patriotic music that was timed to the display, so when Whitney Houston sang about the rockets' red glare, big red bursts filled the sky. Everyone stood speechless but for the ooohs and aaahs.
I'm not sure what 4th of July fare will be here though I do love a good hot dog.
And I can tell you why fireworks are banned in the city if you're interested.
Freedom isn't free. God bless our service men and women all over the world, in harm's way overseas or domestic. We salute you. :D
Shout out to my nephew who will be coming home from Iraq in a month. This is his second tour. His third son was born while he's been gone.
I love fireworks! We like to shoot off our own too. Loved getting to light sparklers as a kid.
Fourth of July is fireworks, grilled hot dogs, watermelon, dessert, swimming pools/lakes/oceans, watching ball games with fireworks afterwards (shout out to Omaha. Your shows ROCK), sunshine, movies like The Patriot, Independence Day and more, marching bands & military parades (sigh). Blockbuster releases from Hollywood round out the fun. Yes, I love red, white and blue decorations. When you come from a military background with a love of history, you cannot help but smile on the 4th of July.
Let us all stand proud of our country!
Andy Roddick is playing Roger Federer in the finals at Wimbleton!!
Go USA, Williams vs Williams!
Happy 4th of July to you all. I'm hearing the fireworks here too and probably they will continue on all the way until Monday. It gets irritating sometimes but beyond that, I'm like you in hoping that the people doing the fireworks remember the meaning of the day behind all those sparkles.
On another note, I posted an award up for your blog. Details here: http://ladyvampire2u.blogspot.com/2009/07/awarded-re-awarding.html
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