Happy Fourth of July!

Urban fireworks ~ street scene, Derby, Ct.

We went to see the fireworks last night ~ it's fun, but they always look the same.

So, why do we fight the crowds and traffic and go watch them each year?


To celebrate our nation's independence!  Happy birthday to the good ol' USA! 

Not the daddy ... but isn't this sweet?

Here's the youngest reveler at sister Michele's Fourth of July picnic Saturday. She seems content being held by a cousin.

She didn't want to sleep. She was too busy watching everything around her all day. ;-)

Happy Independence Day!

Oooh, aaah!

Had some fun with my point-and-shoot again this year. Love to get a fancy camera and a tripod, but whatever.
Went to two fireworks displays ~ one in an urban setting and one in a suburban setting.
The photo below is the urban one...as if you couldn't tell.

* Happy Fourth of July! *

Sparkly.

Ooooh...ahhh!

I ended up seeing two fireworks displays this weekend: one on Friday night and one on Saturday night. Woo hoo! I'm sure we could find one tonight, since it's the actual Fourth of July, but I'll pass. I did have fun experimenting with the point and shoot.

The above ones were taken on Friday night in Derby, Ct. Below are fireworks we went to last night with a bunch of relatives in Manchester, Ct. So many towns in New England have the same names as towns in England.

Hmmm...I wonder why that is?

;-)

And that's what we are celebrating today ~ our nation's Independence from the Crown. Like how I tied that all in?

I was further away from the fireworks for these photos. It made a difference!

Bonus shot: Our grand-nephew Adam using a toy tennis racket as a guitar at our family's Fourth of July party Saturday. Isn't he adorable?

Independence Day thoughts

To celebrate our nation's 233rd birthday, I share a few quotations, and a poem.


By The Rude Bridge

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set today a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

* * * * *

"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

~ Patrick Henry (March 23, 1775)

* * * * *

"Where liberty dwells, there is my country."

~ Benjamin Franklin

* * * * *

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.

~ Erma Bombeck

* * * * *Have a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!

Fourth of July revisited

On Saturday we went to a fireworks display in Manchester, Ct. Our daughter, Kid One (seen below at family picnic earlier in the day with Boyfriend) was in charge of the camera.

Our family had a fun Fourth, despite rather crummy weather. It was overcast and drizzly most of the weekend. We went to Ralph's sister's house, as we do each Fourth of July (thanks, Michele for everything!)
We had hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, watermelon, blueberries, strawberries, cookies, brownies, and, yes, Bee, we had yummy gold cake with butter cream frosting, in honor of several July birthday babies in attendance.
I only had one piece, and stayed away from all those cookies and brownies.
Really.



Here the Boyfriend dons special firework watching glasses, to enhance the experience. --->

I'm glad they sent her to us, aren't you?

I tried to put this Statue of Liberty comic on my blog but the art was too wide. Sniff.
So my son told me to just put the link to it here.
http://www.marriedtothesea.com/053007/take-it-to-america.gif

Check out Married to the Sea...it's fun.