Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Fourth of July
This is a holiday I normally enjoy for two main reasons: one, it's in the middle of summer, and I love summer. Two, it's my BIL's b'day, which means we always get to go to their house for a party, so it's already decided and I only have to bring something to the gathering. So, summer, and low-key effort-wise. And an extra day off? Brilliant!
Not to mention the fireworks. I love fireworks, and one of the best things is that we can either stay at my sisters and see the fireworks from her front yard, or it's an easy 10 minute walk to where they are. So no dealing with traffic. Here in Syracuse, we can usually see some from our front windows. I never drive to where they are, because getting back out of the traffic is ridiculous. I have sometimes thought about going up to Montreal to see the international fireworks show, but maybe someday.
The one thing I HATE about Fourth of July is that the people/kids in the neighborhood usually drag it out to 3-4 days of setting off firecrackers and whatnot out in the streets and back yards, making the dogs nervous, and me, too. I have to admit, if there's one thing that's not bad about this rainy summer is that I just realized our neighborhood has been quiet -- it's too wet to set anything off!
But all in all, this is a relaxing weekend for us, and I enjoy that. I wish it was hotter, but oh well. :) We'll throw some stuff on the grill, relax, and maybe take the kayaks out for a jaunt. How about you? Do you have any traditions or plans for the 4th of July, and what are you up to this weekend?
(PS: I am also blogging over at the Blaze Author's Blog today, and I'm giving away a goodie...if you are interested...*G*)
Sam
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Woohoo!
We actually have just about nothing planned this year! We let some friends know that if they want to hang out, to call and come over, otherwise we're just going to hang out and enjoy the free time! Yay! Hope you get to relax and kayak to your hearts' content, Sam! And hooray for rain, right? ;)
yes...
Against all common sense, a few firecrackers went off a few minutes ago, and I thought "hope it rains on them hard..." LOL
Sam
LOL!
There are signs all over our town reminding everyone that fireworks are illegal because of the fire danger. Apparently not every pays attention. Or maybe they can't read... ;p Unfortunately no sign of rain... (Don't I just sound like a big ol' party pooper!?)
A few of ours have gone off...
But I have to admit, though it's still on the cool side, it IS nice to be seeing the sun, and we're supposed to see a lot of it this week. :)
I'm also often a party pooper about noise -- I don't like things too loud or intrusive, music, firecrackers, etc. Have to consider your neighbors, but some people don't. If we leave the dogs inside, windows closed and AC or the dishwasher on to drown out the noise, though, they probably won't be too bothered.
Sam
well,
Really, our Lab could have a lightning strike right in front of her nose and would barely notice. The other is a bit more jumpy with noises. But they'll be fine...
Sam
Fireworks
I have the same problem here. We have had (and are still having) a severe drought and there are signs and news broadcasts all over saying no fireworks because of lack of rain. But I'll bet anything the idiots down the street will shoot off fireworks. And I can guarantee if they shoot aerial fireworks off I'm being a real party pooper and calling the police.
I live on a bay which is attached to the Gulf of Mexico and every year the city sponsors a FREE fireworks display on a barge out in the bay and anyone and everyone can see it so there is no need for one's own personal fireworks considering the drought.
fourth and fireworks and other stuff
Hey Sam, Happy Fourth to you and yours!
First of all, I used to play with fireworks when I was a kid. We lived near the water and would go out to areas where it was safe to shoot them off. However, someone decided to shoot some off near our house and our home caught fire. Fortunately it was stopped quickly before too much damage was done but that colored my view of fireworks in neighborhoods from that time on. I get so angry at my neighbors who shoot off bottle rockets and large fireworks displays in our small neighborhood with the fireworks going off above our houses on a regular basis. This area was in a drought for several years and this made me even more nervous. For weeks after the fourth and new year's I will find spent bottle rockets and other firework trash in my yard and in the streets of our neighborhood. Makes me upset but there is nothing I can really do about it except not sleep for fear my house will burn.
Okay, venting over.
This year for the Fourth my daughter is running in a very popular road race and I'm going to have to try and find her when she is done. We have family visiting so we'll cook out in the evening and make homemade icecream. I'll miss the cute little kids in the neighborhood having a Fourth of July parade, but I'm sure it will be really sweet.
Wishing everyone here at Cigars a very happy and safe Fourth holiday.
Hey Betty!
Same wishes back to you. :) It sounds like you have some nice plans. :)
So many people get hurt on 4th of July. We used to love waving those HUGE sparklers around -- and still do, LOL -- but really always with adult supervision.
I also used to love those snakes? You lit them up and the black stuff crawled all over the sidewalk? But they were quiet fun.
My BIL's twin blew off either a part of a finger or a toe -- I can't remember which. He was lucky it wasn't worse.
So stay safe everyone!
Sam
Snakes...
We just heard about how to make these at home on NPR--something like 4 tsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp baking soda. Mix well, pour it into a shallow depression in the dirt, add an accelerant (vodka?), and let 'er rip... Haven't tried it ;p
Aack on the July 4th injuries... that's a way to put a damper on the whole holiday! The sparklers are definitely fun!
I love fireworks!!
But none for me this year... Not many towns here in Alaska shoot off fireworks for the 4th of July. I think it has to do with the fact that the only time you could see them is around midnight, LOL! More towns have fireworks for New Year's. Much easier to see at that time of year! :-)
No big plans other than that. We don't know enough people here yet to have anywhere to go, so I will miss the traditional BBQ. But, we're having beans & wienies for dinner and will walk down the road to watch the parade. This year is Alaska's 50th year of statehood, so there are a lot of floats that will be dedicated to Alaska history. I'm looking forward to it!
Happy 4th!
I, too, love the 4th, though it doesn't seem like July with all the rain and cooler temps. But, hey, at least it's nice sleeping weather! Hoping to see some fireworks tonight...though will be avoiding the traffic if at all possible. Enjoy! :)
Cari
http://cariquinn.blogspot.com/
Did you go?
We piled us and the dogs in the car and decided to go down and watch -- it was a nice show, if short, but I couldn't get over how cold it was.
The traffic was heavy, but seemed to move pretty easily. I was glad we went -- I was watching the news, though, and think it would be cool to go to NYC to see theirs next year...
Sam
I watched fireworks out my window, actually...
Couldn't get up the motivation to go see them, but some of the neighborhoods around here have their share of law breakers. Didn't get to see a ton of them, but enough to make me feel like I'd experienced the 4th. And yes, it was cold! I was quite pleased with myself that I didn't have to go outside to see a show, LOL
The NYC show must be gorgeous!
Cari
http://cariquinn.blogspot.com/
Happy fourth ladies!
Well our fourht plans are pretty constant, every year in my family we usually have a cookout but skipped it this year. My husbands family has their reunion every year on the fourth so we went there today, and to make it more interesting one of the cousins got married today at the reunion. It made sense since the whole family would be in anyway.
They're a young couple who went with a cowboy theme, and in WV it amde sense. My favorite part was the groom riding in on his tractor to the song "She tinks my tractor's sexy" i had a great laugh on that one.
then after wedding, food, chainsg my son, more food then home for a nap. then to soggy fireworks tonight, and fighting 45 minutes of traffic afterwards. But it was fun and a memorable day.
My sister by the way was in gallipolis shooting her own fireworks show, she's a licensed pyro-chick. pretty cool.
Hey now i can say "My sister can blow up your sister!"
lol
happy 4th
jody
LOL on the tractor!
What a riot! That sounds like a lot of fun. :)
That is really cool about your sister... How did she end up getting into that? What a neat thing. :)
Sam
I love the tractor idea!
That sounds like a great wedding! Just the sort of thing my family would enjoy. We didn't quite go that far with our wedding, but we did leave the reception - still wearing the fancy clothes - in my lifted Jeep Wrangler with the top down. There are some great photos of me getting into it, LOL! And the look on people's faces as we climbed out at the B&B were great fun, too.
Hhmm...is your sister married? LOL - my brother has always been a little too fascinated with fireworks. He had a chance to work at a fireworks factory once, but decided to work closer to his house for more money. Still think that would have been a perfect job for him!
pyro-chick
Well she married a paramedic/firefighter who is a pyrotech who shoots shows, she went with him and fell in love with blowing stuff up. So now they blow up stuff together. Even when she was pregnant with her last sone, at 6 or so months along she went and shot a show. I have to admit running the board sounds cool. if its an electronic and not hand lit show then its run by a board. I could get into that.
Yup cathy she is happily married with three kids. And she makes wedding cakes on the side, she's a jackie of all trades.
lol
jody
July 4th
Hail to the Redskins!
Went to my sisters for the weekend. Her Birthday is July 3rd. Spent the day shopping for my dress for her wedding. Found one! Now to find the shoes! Went for a great birthday dinner. Fortunatly, have six months to make sure I still fit into the dress. Eating light and exercising for the next six months. Saw the local fireworks from near her home. Beautiful and wonderful. It was at the new county high school. Cool weather, in the 80's with low humidity for July in Virginia. Here in PA, we haven't even turned on the AC. Its amazing! Love it!