Independence Day

As the years go by, the traditional celebration of July 4th change more than any other holiday.  Some of the change is due to age and maturity, some by the anti-fireworks laws in most cities.  A few years ago, Terri and I began a habit of playing golf on the Fourth.  That has not become a tradition, probably because of the heat and humidity that usually accompanies this holiday. 

When I was a kid, the Fourth of July was one of the largest celebrations held by my family.  My parents would host a Fourth of July picnic at our house.  Both sides of the family would attend.  Family friends would also attend.  Since attendance would sometimes surpass 40-50 people, it was always held outdoors in our backyard.  

The celebration would always begin early in the day.  Everyone would bring a dish, and the food would be spread out on a large conference size table in the yard.  Everyone would help themselves whenever hungry during the entire day. 

My uncles Jim and John would spend much of the day shooting M-80s or cherry bombs into the air using a high powered sling shot.  On a typical Fourth, they would ignite and launch a full gross.  Occasionally they would have one with a slow burning fuse that would reach earth before exploding.  I remember no major personal injuries, but do remember a few tomato plants in my parents yard that did not survive the celebration.

Over the entire day, fireworks were enjoyed.  Cousins Joe and Jerry always came to the event with grocery sacks full of fireworks.  It was a chore just to get to them all consumed within the daylight hours.  At night, as soon as it was dark, we bagan our our fireworks display.  My Grandfather Barr would always bring the watermelon and sacks of Roman Candles, sparklers, fountains, helicopters and mortars.  The display would continue non-stop for over an hour.  One vivid memory was that of my 400 pound Aunt Dorthy leaning back in her lawn chair to avoid being struck by an errant pyro-technic device.  The chair could not withstand the stress and deposited her harshly on the ground.  No injury, but I don't remember her ever participating in the picnic after that.

Once the fireworks were spent, we would carve the watermelon.  Once it was gone, the event was over.  Typically, this was after midnight.  We would all retire to nurse our fireworks caused wounds or burns.  The next few days would be spent cleaning up the yard of spent fireworks and collecting the gunpowder from dud fireworks in order to create one last memorable blast.

Today's celebration of the Fourth are much calmer.  Terri and I will go to church, and then relax before going to SILL and BILS home for ribs.  Later we will watch one or two professional fireworks displays in the local area.