Boom! Bang! Fizzle---Schwap! 0o0o0o0o0o0o....

[mirium]

So, what's everyone doing for the 4th of July? Not much in Canada, Europe, etc. but for folks in the U.S. .... got any plans?

I'll be skipping the evening fireworks and getting some much-needed rest, but in the morning, there's the traditional neighborhood parade! No floats -- it's mostly kids on bikes that are decorated with crepe paper, and dogs with ribbons in their collars, and kids in little wagons being pulled by amused parents dressed in jaunty red-white-and-blue. For a few years, there was someone who marched with a cockatoo on his shoulder -- I'm not sure who enjoyed that more, the spectators or the bird.

It takes about an hour for the marchers to collect and get themselves organized; the actual parade takes maybe 15, 20 minutes. Makes me proud to be an American.

[csikt]

Awwwwwwwwwww I bet that's so cute!!!

We were not going to be doing fireworks this year, but half of the neighborhood were talking about how they couldn't wait to watch the Turner's firework show So looks like we will ;D I guess they always like it cause you never know what's gonna happen. Two years ago, Jay set the awfully large firework on a brick smaller than the box. Needless to say it tipped over and fired at us We got some good excersise in from running though!! We usually will grill and chill before the fireworks, just kind of a relaxed fun day

[mirium]

Apparently there's a Lawnmower Drill Team that performs in the neighborhood parade -- the neighborhood listserv just sent out a notice that anyone who wants to participate should show up with their lawnmower (push, power or ride) at the parade start site at 10:56 a.m. for rehearsal.

The parade starts at 11:00 a.m.

[mirium]

The parade was a great success! The lawnmower folks showed up at 10:59 in a bunch, but not because they'd been rehearsing elsewhere -- they were just all almost-late by the same amount.

The band was late but also arrived in a bunch, probably because they DID rehearse (for 10 minutes!) in a side street about 30 yards away from the starting point, in the back of a big pickup truck with plywood walls sticking up from the truck bed so you could hear them but couldn't see them except from behind the truck. They used to walk, until one of them pointed out that it was a lot to expect them to walk and play in tune at the same time, and since then they've been the main (and often only) "float" in the parade. No one mentions that this arrangement has not had any apparent effect on the music....it's a friendly neighborhood. The band this year included a saxophone, a clarinet, an acoustic guitar and a tuba. John Phillips Sousa, eat your heart out!

The driver wasn't used to the truck so it took about 15 minutes and many minor course corrections to get it backed 30 yards uphill to join the marchers -- two stands of shasta daisies and a hosta made the ultimate sacrifice, but a mailbox survived unscathed despite a close call -- the front bumper missed it by about 2 inches.

Before setting off on the Grand March, someone read the famous parts of the Declaration of Independance out loud, and noises that were intended to represent the Star Spangled Banner were made by the band and most of the assembled masses. (You could tell it was supposed to be our National Anthem, because it had the same words and many folks stood and/or held their hands over their hearts while it was going on.) Two dogs suddenly joined in on the high note.

Then they started off, and there were some folks who immediately strode proudly and swiftly and there was one elderly couple (with American flags sticking up from their hats and waving in the breeze) who finished chatting with bystanders before heading out, so the front of the parade was halfway along the route before the back end began to move, and the rest of it spaced fairly evenly in between. The front wave realized they were outdistancing the rest and slowed down to let others catch up, which resulted in kind of a "human accordian" effect.

But everyone finished the route and made it to the picnic, many hot dogs were consumed, and a good time was had by all.

Dang, this is a wonderful country.

[luf100]

I just walked to the store, and there are a ton of fireworks going on here. More than there were on the first. I think it's because we're a border town. There's a million cottages on the beach and they're probably all occupied by Americans. At least it makes my town seem more alive than it usually is.

[csikt]

Awwww Mirium that sounds like a good time!

On Friday I rode out with my neighbors to a cookout. That was quite interesting lol. Someone tossed a firecracker right behind me and when it popped, it hit my arm. But luckily that was the ony time that whole weekend anyne got it with fireworks.

Yesterday, we were playing volleyball and noticed some rain clouds so we put up one of those pop up tents over the grill. No shortly after, the rain came pouring down. After the rain let up, it was about 8:45ish so we went ahead and started some of the smaller fireworks. Just as we were about to start the bigger ones, the wind got real strong and my dad said nope, not right now. About a minute later, a really heavy downpour came. Trying to get three dining room chair, about 7 lawn chairs, and 12 people inside was quite interesting ;D

The adults stayed inside and the teenagers & kids went out on the front porch to do sparklers. A couple of hours passed and the rain turned to a light drizzle so we went out there and fired off the rest. When we were doe, me and my brother had to go pick of the firework mess (which was hard considering the fact that the were soggy because of the rain), so the dog wouldn't get into it. I was smart, I took an umbrella cause I had a feeling we'd get out there and it'd start pouring. We got the mess in the front yard picked up and went around back and that's when it did. My brother was soaked!

It was an all around great day Thank you to those who protect and serve this country and make it such a great and safe place to live ;D

[mirium]

Well, it sounds like everyone got through the 4th will all arms, legs, fingers and eyes intact -- so the holiday is officially declared A Success!