FIRST POST FOR JULY

Time goes way too fast. Here it is, July already. Yesterday was Canada Day. I remember when I lived in Michigan, our city bordered Canada. The 2 cities used to celebrate their big holidays together. It was a fun week of sales, parades, food and fireworks. On the 1st, we'd go down to the river and watch the fireworks on the Canadian side. Then, on the 4th, they could see our fireworks.

When I was a child--from age 2 to 12, we lived in Indiana. The 4th of July was always fun. The day would start off with a parade down Third Street. We lived right along Third Street (well--West Third Street) and the parade went right down the street in front of our house.

Now, you would think we'd get front row seats. And we did get front row seats--but had to spread our blankets out about 6 or 7 in the morning. Otherwise, people would come right along and claim their spot--in our lawn! Well, I guess technically, it wasn't our lawn--there was a sidewalk between our lawn and the grass down by the street, but still--it FELT like it was our lawn. Anyway, we felt like it was ours and defended it as if it was. My Dad used to get so mad at all teh people who would park on our street, then cut through our lawn to get a spot to watch the parade.

Eventually, our Mom would send us out in shifts to sit on the blankets and reserve our spot. We would bring out our camping chairs and picnic baskets and stuff and put them on the blankets. If we didn't, then other people would come along and just claim the spot as their own. A family I only remember as the Hendersons used to drive over from where they lived and watch the parade with us. I remember one of the boys' names was Jay. Otherwise, I don't remember too much about them. We only saw them on July 4th.

Sometimes other friends would come over--the Brockschmidts maybe. Anyway, the parade would finally start and it was such a great parade. You always knew when it was almost over because you'd hear the sirens of the fire trucks coming down the road. I remember how Doug and Russ used to cover their ears because of the noise.

One year most of us kids marched in the parade. Therese was in it with her baton twirling group. Our 4H club marched in it and it was a lot of fun. I remember that Janie and I did flips and cartwheels every now and again. Otherwise we just marched and waved to the people. That was fun.

In the afternoon, we'd have a picnic in the backyard.

In the evening the big event was going to Bricky Bowl. The football field for the local high school. We'd grab a cooler, blankets, bag with snacks and all walk downtown. Mom and Dad would find our spot and we'd sit and wait anxiously for the fireworks. I think the youngest boys would fall asleep, while Doug and Russ would sometimes cover their ears again for some of the loudest ones.

Always fun memories for me.

After Bob and I got married, we always went to fireworks displays. But, it wasn't until we moved to Duncanville, TX that I finally saw a parade on July 4th again.

I think it always was about 100 degrees on parade day and my favorite float was the cub/boy scout float because they had some of the kids walking down the street with spray bottles and they sprayed the crowd with water.

We had the usual cookout and then we'd head to the fireworks. I have always loved fireworks and wish I could live in Orlando near a theme park so I could see fireworks every night.

Now, we rarely go see the firworks. We usually just stay home. I don't know why we quit going. I love them. I guess we just got tired of crowds. No matter, I at least watch the special from DC. The fireworks are nice and it is a bugless night.

Have a happy and safe 4th, everyone!