4th of July is my favorite secular holiday – I love anything flag-waving with patriotic music and bands playing plus it’s always hot and the day usually involves plenty of picnic food ending with fireworks. But it’s not just the events of the day that I love – it’s what the day stands for – freedom that we often take for granted, those before us who fought for the ideals on which our nation was built, our soldiers who now defend our country and try to bring freedom to those in other countries who are less fortunate than we are. It’s knowing that even our corrupt politicians (was that a redundant phrase?) haven’t yet succeeded in completely undoing 231 years for this great country. I’m proud to be an American and thankful for the blessings that are bestowed on me as a citizen of this great country.
I won’t bother going into my song and dance about illegal immigrants who come here and feel we should give them the same rights – and even kowtow to their language – if you want to live here, learn to speak English and don’t knock the system. End of that sermon!
We had a day that was a true slice of Americana – started with the Marshfield parade at 10 this morning – Burl rode his mini-bike with the Shrine Cruiser unit and it was fun to see these big guys on little bikes doing their maneuvers. The Marshfield parade is one of the largest in the state and it didn’t disapppoint – veterans, Little Miss Firecracker, the high school marching band playing “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, clowns throwing candy and kids walking their dogs. The square was packed with concession stands selling corn dogs, snow cones and cappucino – and there were craft/crap booths selling a wide assortment of stuff – all of which I could do without!
Following a Shriner picnic at the home of friends, we came home to allegedly float in the pool all afternoon – however the pool is currently a lovely (?) shade of green from all the rain so while Burl mowed the yard, I vacuumed the pool and then decided to attack some of the weeds that mysteriously appear overnight just when I think I’ve gotten them all!
After a quick shower we were off again – to the Willard parade which started at 6. It paled in comparison to the earlier one but still had lots of church floats, the high school band, cheerleaders, plenty of John Deere tractors and the mini-cruisers.
A packed day that reminds me of the real reason we had a holiday – and I hope you’ll take time to reflect too on what being an American means to you. Now it’s off to the backyard to watch a couple of fireworks extravaganzas from afar. We saw the ones up close and personal last night at our golf club.
