I am S. L. Carlson, a proud and grateful BWL Publishing Inc. author. My books can be viewed and purchased by visiting https://www.bookswelove.net/carlson-s-l
I realize Books We Love is a Canadian Press. Realize, too,
that I am an American. Hence, 4th of July memories on this blog post
day of the 4th of July.
My dad loved the 4th of July. Actually, he loved
being able to buy and set off the illegal M-80’s. Loud-loud bangs. I grew up with
Dad exploding those as near to us as he dared. When I was engaged, Jeff and I
went to my parents’ home over the 4th of July. Dad threw an M-80 near
my bare feet. I was used to Dad doing that, but it was always unexpected. As it
went off, Jeff pulled me to behind him, protecting me. (My hero.) Dad was so
impressed with Jeff’s quick action, that he didn’t set off another firework
that entire weekend.
Jeff and I lived for ten years in Buffalo, New York. Our house was a fifteen-minute drive to one
of the bridges going over the Niagara River. Our summer vacations, when our
boys were small, were spent at our favorite Provincial Park: Algonquin. Canada
is dear to my heart. And we still have dear friends residing there.
Living so very close to Canada, and with Canada Day being
on the 1st of July, the entire area celebrated a weeklong Friendship
Festival. Events. Reenactments. Food. Parades. Parties. And, of course, fireworks
every night throughout many locations on both sides of the river.
[picture many fireworks shots here]
One year, we watched fireworks from about a mile away from
a third-floor gym. After about twenty minutes, the fireworks ended. We waited,
then we finally went to bed. In the morning, we read in the newspaper (pre-internet),
that one of the holders for the fireworks fell over. The lit projectile
miraculously passed through a crowd of hundreds watching, crossed the road, and
burst through the first doors of a hospital, exploding in that enclosed area.
No one was hit or hurt!
My one and only trip to England was over the 4th
of July. While there, Jeff and I kept rather hush-hush about our nationality,
because many Americans can be rather obnoxious travellers. Something we
actually witnessed. Needless to say, there were no fireworks, but some brilliant
memories.
We also lived in the Black Hills of South Dakota for nearly
ten years. That is a strikingly beautiful, but semi-arid land, and so for several
years no fireworks were permitted because of wildfire danger. (It only takes a
spark!) One year, a friend was visiting, so we decided to bite the bullet,
fight the crowds, and go hours early out to Mount Rushmore to watch fireworks set
off over the four presidents. Although we were there four hours early, we still
had to park more than a mile away on a 2-lane hill near Keystone. Walk-walk-walk.
No place in Amphitheatre left to sit. Found some free ground, quickly surrounded
by others. Plopped down. Wait-wait-wait. Fog rolls in. FOG? The Hills are never
foggy! There were times we could not even see the lit-up granite faces. Fireworks
delayed an hour. Then another thirty minutes. Then, about 11 PM, cancelled.
Walk-walk-yawn-walk downhill back to the van. Some kind driver finally allowed
us pull out. The following night it was clear, but we didn’t feel like going
back up for another long-long wait. We made designs with sparklers in our
backyard.
Then we lived in Battle Creek, Michigan, for about ten years. The 4th of July weekend was called Field of Flight, with air shows and hot air balloon races. The non-commercial airport was about a mile from our house, so we had the privilege of watching/hearing the US Thunderbirds or Blue Angels or the Canadian force Snowbirds practicing and performing over our house. What a thrill raced down me at each of their passes.
There were also hot air balloons each morning and evening, depending on weather and wind. It was so cool to hear the “fffffft” of fire air going into balloons right over our roof. I’d rush outside to wave and give a shout out to the pilots.
Oftentimes, it was
neighborhood dogs who set off the alarm of the hot air balloons approaching. Of
course, the end of the festival concluded with fireworks.
Happy celebrating, however you do. Build those memories.
S. L. Carlson Blog & Website: https://authorslcarlson.wordpress.com
BWL Inc. Publisher Author Page: https://www.bookswelove.net/carlson-s-l
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