Minimalist

July 4th Parade Needless to say there are minimal requirements (none?) for entering the July 4th Parade at Cedar Creek, NE. Road-worthy? Well, it made it through the parade route. Looking on the bright side, I liked the flag-theme paint job (house paint?) and the visibility of the occupants. All in fun! Thought for the …

Splish Splash

Thought for the Day:Splish splash, I was taking a bathLong about a Saturday nightA rub dub, just relaxing in the tubThinking everything was alrightBobby Darin, 1958

Early, July 4th

8 AM - July 4th Beautiful clear day, slight breeze and full sun. The beaches are clean and dragged, the deck chairs are in position, no swimmers, no boaters -- not even a honking goose or quacking duck. It's just quiet and peaceful. The lull before the storm. Thought for the Day: Be Prepared!Boy Scout …

July 4th Tradition

Fruit Pizza A long-standing family tradition was upheld again on this July 4th; i.e. the granddaughters help grandma make a fruit pizza resembling Old Glory. The kitchen seems to get smaller every year, but the laughter that much louder. Love it! Thought for the Day: We all can't be heroes, for someone has to sit …

Happy Birthday!

Fireworks Stand July 4, 2022 -- the 246th birthday of the United States of America! Notwithstanding the worthless, no-display big-boom fireworks that prevail today, Independence Day is my all-time favorite holiday. Thought for the Day: The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself.Benjamin …

Normandy

Anonymous Beach This is NOT a beach in France's Normandy region, but I am on Omaha Beach today, celebrating the 4th of July, America's Independence Day, on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. I am humbly paying my respects to all WWII veterans, and praying that younger generations will learn to appreciate the privilege as well …

July 4th

Three years ago the grand kids painted bird house gourds on July 4th, while waiting for the fireworks.  All took them home but one; the 15 year old at the time, thought he was too old to hang a hand painted gourd in his back yard. This year mother wren selected the lone gourd for …

Fruit Pizza

One family July 4th tradition that has evolved over the years is the fruit pizza resembling the American Flag.  It started long before 2014, I just couldn't find the pictures. Hope you enjoyed the Fourth. Thought for the Day:  We have the right to express our pride in what our forefathers did, and our joy …

Small-Town July 4th

Cedar Creek, Nebraska (pop. 300) has its own parade on July 4th.  Unpretentious, spontaneous, last-minute entries, no rules and no politicians make it fun for all ages.  The parade winds around the four nearby lakes of summer homes, so no one has to leave their yard to see the parade.  The only vehicles on the …

July 4th Campfire

After a full day of swimming, boating, fishing, rope swinging into the lake, decorating the parade trailer, riding in the parade, badminton, feasting on bar-be-qued pulled pork and chicken wings, it's time to relax around the campfire, roast marsh mellows, eat s'mores, and watch FIREWORKS! What a great holiday ... my personal favorite. Thought for …

July 4th Parade

July 4th parades are de rigueur across the country, but nothing is more Americana than a small-town parade (Cedar Creek, NE.  pop. 310).  No public funds are available for fancy float contests, judges' grand stand, professional clowns, balloon artists, etc. The parade comes about from a hand-made sign posted a week ahead of time at the only prominent …

Gettysburg

I'm late again.  I was hoping to post a piece on July 4th, but I was out celebrating my favorite national holiday ... July 4th, Independence Day.  To me, every Fourth of July is special, but this one is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg lasted three days, beginning …