I realized I'm becoming a grumpy old woman when I became annoyed at the barrage of fireworks outside my window at 11PM. Yes, I know its one night a year and its in celebration of our country's independance. I'm as patriotic as the next gal. We have a flag in front of our house. I stand and salute during the national anthem. I root for the USA in the Olympics. However, as patriotic as I am, I also enjoy my sleep and when tired, I disdain anything that gets in the way.
The virtual invasion of Normandy outside my window got me thinking about the whole correlation between fireworks and the 4th of July. Why are loud banging contraptions really necessary? If my memory of history is correct, the Revolution happened AFTER the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th. If we wanted to celebrate the signing, we'd spend the day cooped up in a humid room debating the virtues of our nation, not blowing stuff up and keeping the tired mothers of the country up past their bedtime. If you think I'm responding this strongly to this holiday, just wait until I give my views on New Years eve.
Aside from the Battle of the Bulge happening outside, it was a nice 3 day weekend. We took the kids to see Wall*E on Saturday. The Live Wire (aka Siena) didn't quite make it through the movie so Daddy had to take her home. Mason and I both thought it was great. Highly recommended for adults and children alike...and this coming from one not normally fond of animated films though Pixar movies have recently become the exception.
Sunday was a fun day for all the Cruzes. The sun came out and we spent the afternoon at Joanne and Doug's house in their swimming pool along with Heidi and Dan and their kids (Ellia and Berron) and Jay B. and Chandra and their daughter (Jocelyn). The little ones floated on a variety of inflatible parahpenalia while the "adults" engaged in a world-class game of pool "HORSE" (note that there is a basketball hoop at one end of the pool).
The game went like this: miss, miss, miss, crazy make, miss...for a long time...
Ultimately it came down to the final two - surprisingly the only two females in the competition, Chandra and myself. It became a slam dunk competition between the girls. Finally, Chandra beat me on a jump shot from the free throw line. The crowd went wild. I went to the side of the pool in shame (not really).
Dinner was at Bruce and Mary Lou's house. Sadly, this is the only place I managed to bust out my camera all weekend. However, the few pictures I got should provide a good look at the Ham farm...I mean house...
Mason and Siena had a wonderful time pounding the keys on Mary Lou's very nice (and probably very expensive) piano. Not sure if this means that they need lessons one day. Their parents aren't particularly musically inclined so time will tell.
Here's a nice example of the wildlife Bruce and Mary Lou can view from their very own backyard. Yes, it appears the donkeys had a nice 4th of July weekend as well.
And Jim Bob...I mean Jay B....shooting birds away from the crops. It may be a BB gun and he was only shooting for small birds, but the threatining image still applies.
2 comments:
Fireworks have been part of the 4th of July celebration since the beginning. This excerpt is from a letter John Adams wrote to Abigail, his wife, about the Declaration of Independence.
"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
Of course when people get their sad little bottle rockets out it's not celebratory as much as just lame.
Well, cousin Craig stole my thunder; I was going to quote John Adams, too. But I can add that Adams was referring to the day the Continental Congress voted to declare America's independence from Britain which happened on July 2, 1776. Two days later, a second vote was taken, and 12 of the 13 colonial delegations once more voted in favor of adopting what would become known as the Declaration of Independence. After the second vote came the signing ceremony in Independence Hall but only two delegates signed that day; the rest didn't get around to signing until nearly two months later. So for 232 years we Americans have been celebrating the wrong Independence Day.
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