4th of July & Fireworks

It is indeed the day of flags, fireworks, fly-bys and freedom. I love the flags, we have one flying in the wind in the front of our house and I have another as a table centerpiece. I also love the fly-bys (after 50+ years of watching hunky hubby wave his wings), but fireworks is a viewing choice only. Is it me or does the male species have a gene that says "It is and always will be my duty to create noise (fireworks) and booms (fireworks again). I sure don't have it but it comes out (with pride and duty) every July 4.

I was raised in Nebraska where the fireworks duties were taken very seriously. My dad always had a cache to shoot and my mom always sat looking at her three kids wondering if this was the year someone would lose a finger, hand, toe or foot. I guess that's the opposite gene.

In California, it's trickier since fireworks are illegal. Except there is always one little community where they are legal to be sold but illegal to shoot. Right. We will buy them and just leave them in the garage waiting for the law to change. Right.

When our sons were young, we had lots of displays. None that we could shoot upward but anything that stayed under 50 feet was considered fair game and worth the risk that someone would call and report us. What great fun--once we even had a party at our neighbor's house--shot about an hour's worth--the next day all the guys had to return to the neighbor's house and scrape soot, ash and debris from their swimming pool. Was it worth it? Oh yes!

Today hunky hubby and I will drive to the coastline and pray for no fog. And hopefully we will watch a splendid display of fireworks that shoot way high in the air over the Pacific Ocean. Last year it was fun and beautiful.

There is also a little nostalgia for us. Hubby's mother lived to the age of 97 and her birthday was July 3.(photo is of her 96th birthday)

For many, many years, we flew to celebrate the birthday and the 4th with her in Idaho. We have wonderful memories but miss her too.

I hope your 4th is a happy one. Enjoy and remember "Freedom is not free" and many are keeping our USA free for us, even today. Jan