Fourth of July

Fourth of July. I don't consider myself a particularly patriotic person in the general sense of the word. I love my country, more for it's landscapes and variety than anything else. I don't fly the American flag because it's use has been usurped by the hard right wing, sadly I think. I don't want to proclaim my love for wars and guns by flying it. Although I can remember in 6th grade and 12 years old, standing with my hand over my heart and crying when they played the Star Spangled Banner every day at my school.

But I love the Fourth of July. It somehow represents all the good things about growing up in the 50's in suburban LA. Yes, there were good things. A long hot sunny day at Santa Anita County Park in Arcadia, with a 6am arrival for biscuits that Dorothy made for the church picnic, long swims in the "plunge", bbq's and games, potato salad and watermelon, all capped off by the smoky sulphur smell and excitement of the fireworks. The hours before the show were full of anticipation as everyone spread out their blankets and lit their own fireworks, with sparklers and fountains and of course, firecrackers, which were always scary.

So, for whatever reason, I always try to recreate that feeling on this holiday, not for patriotic reasons, but to step back to a simpler time in my life, or at least a time that appears simpler from a distance. It was simple on this one day, and lovely. This year I had the same simple lovely day. My kids have learned that even though I make noises about, "Oh I am fine, you have a good weekend, sorry we can't get togeher"...if I am alone on the 4th, I whine, and feel really sad. Deanna knew this, and as Mo and I were settling in on Thursday evening after I arrived, she suddenly appeared at the door, 350 miles without a warning. I am soo glad we weren't camping at Lake of the Woods and we originally planned. Deborah arrived the next afternoon, and Sally and Savannah came over as well to share in the fun. We kayaked on the warm clear waters of the local quarry, ate lots of potato salad and watermelon, Mo made peach waffles for breakfast, and we sat around the porch table in the evening mixing bug spray and shots and laughing ourselves silly.

The fireworks show in Klamath was wonderful, orchestrated perfectly, not too much, not too little, and the crowds were just enough to feel full of energy and fun but not unmanageable. On Saturday we planned a do-nothing day of relaxation which turned into a marathon wood splitting and stacking day that was a ton of fun, or maybe 2 tons, but at least 2 cords anyway. Sunday we headed back to the quarry with the kayaks after Deanna left and Sal and Savannah joined us again for lazy cool clear sunny skies and perfect water.

On this day, once again, I felt that perfect thing that reminds me that life can be really really good.