I love Fourth of July.
who doesn’t love a parade?
Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.
I love how there’s no obligation, no shopping, and no religion. Nobody argues about Independence Day, all just unite in being American. Often while decked-out in cheesy red, white, and blue clothes and accessories, many of us drunk — but all united.
The foods are some of my faves — fruits, cold salads, PIE. Smell of barbecues and smokers waftin about.
Fireworks are awesome. I’m silly and unpopular in thinking I’d rather not have them a month before and a month after, but they’re awesome.
I’ve had bad holidays and plenty of them, but I have never had a bad Fourth of July. I was thinking last night on the drive home, one could narrow down my very best friends on the basis of whether I’ve shared fireworks on Fourth of July with them.
There have been some fantastic fireworks displays and experiences, and I’m always open to new ones. As a child, no matter where we lived, my father would drive me to downtown Indianapolis, early, to get front and center spots for the fireworks, and that’s often what I like. But there’ve been fireworks otherwise, local parks a few times, train rides to get elsewhere, oohs and ahhs reflected over lakes and rivers — Every one of them fabulous.
Last night we tried Symphony on the Prairie and I loved it. Picnic blanket on the soft green grass, symphony in the amphitheater, fireworks at the end.
So happy!
It was more patriotic than any Fourth of July I’ve experienced since leaving the army base behind, and we are were a pile of patriotic weepers.
Veterans dressed in both current and historical costume uniforms shook The Mister’s hand and thanked him for his service. A strange grin appeared when it happened twice, for he served two branches.
The Mister doesn’t love being thanked for his service, not that it isn’t nice to hear, but I know it sounds different to his ears when other veterans say it, because behind the words lies an unspoken bond of honor and duty that we civilians will never fully grasp. His real appreciation comes when he says, “It was a privilege to serve with you.”
I don’t think The Mister was expecting any thanks last night (I think he’da shaved, heh) but I know it made yesterday a richer experience for him.
peekamoo on the left
I always thank my husband for his service when anyone else does, but then I add how glad I am he no longer serves.
In a turnabout scenario, when other military spouses thank me for my sacrifice, it means infinitely more.
joeyfullystated 
The fireworks were gorgeous this year. Happy belated 4th!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a good one 🙂 Thanks, you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
4th of July is one of my favorite holidays too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Fourth is my favorite, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
The 4th is a great holiday. I do like that there’s no shopping, other than for food.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely post. Many thanks to the families who serve and sacrifice for our country. Happy Belated 4th! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was a special evening. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting observation – and one that I’ve never stopped to think about that before – the federal holidays (July 1st here and the fourth in the US) haven’t got the same obligation/commercialism/religion as do the other stat holidays and Hallmark days like Mother’s Day or Halloween.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. It had long been my favorite before I considered why. I believe it was one of Cee’s questions that prompted that reasoning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Before Downtown Fireworks there was Butler. Every year they had a big show, After my first show I was hooked. What I don’t like are those folks that just love firecrackers so much they set them off days before and after. Firecrackers have their place but they just make noise. I want colors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay!
I know. I enjoy the fireworks, but I don’t like them all damn summer! It’s not nice to my husband or my dog. And what’s with these people who fire them off in daylight?!? That makes even less sense! Gah.
Do they still do Fireworks at Butler?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so. I know there is a whole bunch of activity on the near Northside on the Fourth. Happy belated 4th.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, you too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the 4th, too. It’s easy to celebrate. I put flags out into our flower pots and the house was decorated in 5 minutes. I planned a dinner of brats and beer in less than one minute. I even dressed appropriately in blue and white without doing anything more than wearing what I normally wear. My kind of holiday– meaningful and stressless. 🇺🇸
LikeLike
I can understand a bit about not like being thanked for your service, but on the other hand, we do greatly appreciate it and it’s nice to be able to share that with someone who has given so much (and that would include spouses and families.) I think a service person should try to think of this when thanked, realizing that it comes from our hearts…and beats the heck out of the reception when coming home from Vietnam and the like. 🙂 So thanks very much, all of you.
I love fireworks, too. We saw some excellent ones here in Naperville and then on the Fourth, greatly enjoyed those in D.C. that Macy’s put on. I do love me some USA.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a serious hat. I enjoy the fourth, but this year kind of sucked.
LikeLike
Yeah, I understand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay, I won’t thank your husband for his service, or you for lending your husband out to the military so he can serve, but just know I appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a lovely day! I used to hate July 4th when we lived on an Army base. Primarily because it was always really hot. (China Lake)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes. Hotness does kill it. When it’s crazy hot here on The Fourth, we skip the parade. *nods*
LikeLike
I never celebrated Bastille Day in France, even though I love what’s behind this amazing day. It was just because back then in France it wasn’t trendy to be overly patriotic. But most immigrants to the US became among the most fervent Americans. So now I love the Fourth of July. The food too 🙂
This year, however, it was calmer around me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So long as I have lived, it’s been trendy to be patriotic. Perhaps since we’re a young country. I’m glad you love The Fourth too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we need more holidays without obligations & stress! I’m all for them 🙂
I am however very curious about the practice of vets thanking other vets for their service. I don’t understand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand you not understanding. I barely grasp it myself. I’ve listened and read a great deal, and I can say that those I’ve heard feel it’s like… Like they go in with a calling to serve, this sense of honor and duty, and when they’re in, they realize it’s more than love of country. They’re all in the shit together. Even in different places, different wars, they feel this connection to their brothers and sisters in arms. So when it comes down to it, they fight FOR ONE ANOTHER.
I hope that helps some.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually that helps a lot. I can wrap my head around that … “they feel this connection to their brothers and sisters in arms”. I guess it’s just a way of both acknowledging and respecting one another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do love the 4th!! No fireworks this year because of the puppy 😦
I also love that the commercialism doesn’t go too crazy and that everybody is always happy about celebrating it!
I’m glad you all had a wonderful day!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed your celebration day! That Symphony on the Prairie sure sounds nice. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really was, thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We failed Fourth of July this year — nary a firework to be seen. I had sparklers and snappers for the kids, but forgot. We had good food, though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is that right? In contrast, we didn’t have particularly festive food. Props to you on that, I didn’t have it in me. I made that big brunch and then we sorta snacked all day. We still have a case of sparklers, we never did play. I bet we will though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and your brunches. And linners. Makes me jealous 😉 You can get away with things there that are frowned upon at the non-portmanteau.
I was lucky that I didn’t have to do a damn thing for that dinner except shuck and boil corn. This was the year I found that my husband hates shucking corn, after he danced around not having it, so me and my truckloads worth of cornshucking experience (no joke) stepped up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Corn shucking is NOT a joke, totally understood.
I prefer brunch or linner, even without a cocktail 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday and your hubby got some well deserved recognition for his service to our Country. Please give him another pat on the back for me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do, thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like you had a wonderful time with that picnic on the prairie and celebrations. You look so happy in the photo all three of you! ( I could just see a alittle bit of Moo).
I think you and your husband both deserved to be thanked, him for his service to your country, and you and your children too, for your loyalty and sacrifices. 🙂
LikeLike
I like the 4th too. I have had some fun ones mostly with friends. This year we didn’t do anything special. Retained from the big carnival downtown to save some money for a trip in a few weeks. We did get to see the fireworks around the neighborhood which was nice. Thank you all for your service and sacrifice! 🙂 Good people can appreciate. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Mister gets my thanks! You can pass it along, after visiting Arlington last month when we were in Washington, I have a new appreciation for former military, not that I didn’t before, but Arlington was just a holy shit moment for me. And you are right, there is no way civilians can begin to grasp that bond and the ones that pretend to are full of freaking shit. The drinks are on me when I meet The Mister :).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somehow this post didn’t sit well with a lot of people, but maybe they should think about that, because it’s truthful, that’s fersure. I’m glad you had such an Aha moment at Arlington.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some people take themselves way too seriously!
LikeLike