Today we're taking the kid (5 years old yesterday, Happy Birthday Jack!) to the brand new spray park's grand opening at noon.

Then, BBQ at my parents' house tonight. Burgers, brats and beer.

Later, we wake Jack up and take him to the church parking lot around the corner where we have an excellent view of the fireworks. I like it because we can wait here until we hear them go off and then scoot out the door and be there in 2 minutes. No waiting outside while fending off mosquitoes. And Jack thinks the display is in honor of his birthday!

I have to work today, but I'll be out by early afternoon, and my partner should have the grill fired up for round two of our grill-ALL-the-things weekend!

Woohoo! I am sitting around on my butt today. We saw fireworks in Astoria on Thursday night, so no pressure to try and find some today.

We did our big cook out last night. Today is a work day since most of the places we work with don't recognize American holidays.

Let's red, white, and blue it!

I am going to see an apt, then going to a series of barbecues (must remember to buy mushrooms or veggie burgers), then ending on my friend's roof to see fireworks.

I think I will just be spending some time contemplating the rather mixed blessings of independence.

Just got home from So Cal yesterday. . .long day of flights.

So, mowing the lawn, a bit of other garderning, a bike ride and not much else, hopefully.

Small barbecue. Me and the wife and the kids. Beer of course. Just aiming for laid back.

Slept in, likely going to work on school stuff and my project, and then try to go to bed early, but will listen to the fireworks at the park.

We will probably grill some hotdogs and then go see the fireworks later. Also laid back.

HAPPY 4TH JULY!!

Hooray! Indefensible Day! I'm doing as little as possible, but the more cleaning up and cleaning out I do the more free I'll feel, so I will probably succumb to some organizing urges. I found my cheap camera so I can take pics of the Yard Sale leftovers that are worth something for Craigs(not mine)list (punch bowl set, brass hanging lamp, walker/rollator, microwave, etc.). I have made dips (fake crab & cream cheese; salsa & queso; sour cream & whatever - Ralphs had 16 oz. sour cream for $1.25 AND I had a coupon) for easy all-day grazing, but I did start with a blueberry bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jam, a red white 'n blue breakfast. Eat, drink and make merry for tomorrow I diet. (And making merry because Mary wasn't interested) Pleasantly surprised the neighborhood trailer parkers didn't bring out any fireworks last night (they have in years past), but tonight should be an evening of bright lights, scared dogs and fire extinguishers at the ready. But mostly, I'm spending my 4th of July writing this.

BTW, Senyar, Mexican Nyan Cat already has almost 200,000 views. Americ-Nyan Cat has a way to catch up. On the other hand, nobody's following Windows 98 Nyan, but I kinda like the Deadmau5 Remix.

The juicy Lucy:

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OMGtasty, urp! Sorry.

I knew that the 4th was coming up, but didn't realize until a few minutes ago that today was the day. The US holidays continue to fade from me the longer I'm in Canada. On the other hand, we don't usually do anything for Canada Day and didn't this year.

It's raining here in NC, and my husband bought a bunch of fireworks that we probably won't get to set off tonight.

My daughter is hilariously and very sparkly dressed in patriotic garb.

I'm listening to the fireworks, but I am not there. Instead just thinking about the days when I was there. Other than that, though, it's been a nice day.

Woke up early to get in car with my patient Bear to drive to a local small town 5k, which I was happy to complete in 34 minutes. Then we walked the local booths at the town's teeny fair and bought some Shea butter lotion from a Nigerian woman. Then we went to the senior center, got lottery tickets for a nice quilt we failed to win, and ate excellent strawberry shortcake. Left to watch adorable children's parade ( average age probably 4), followed by a rather impressive full scale parade. My favorite marchers were the proud parents of GBLT children, followed closely by the dancing horses. Then we walked the classic car show. Some stunners there. Finally left and drove away, stopping en route to eat a really fabulous lunch at an Indian/Pakistani restaurant. Then we took a scenic drive in the perfect weather and drove home for a nap. Staying home to keep our Aussie as calm as possible for the fireworks tonight.

It has been a great Fourth.

Have a trippy patriotic cartoon!

≡ Click to see image ≡

Woo Hoo! Spent the day with my childhood best friend and her sister, their children and mine, swam in her community pool, and threw together a barbecue with burgers, pasta with pesto we made ourselves, and veggie kabobs. Fabulous day, I'm exhausted, a little sunburned, and really happy. Plus, the McMansion and Mansion developments on either side of my little neighborhood had a sort of Firework Competition going on: great fireworks right from my own yard!

Update: I went to two barbecues and then found out that my roof (which I had never been to because there are a ton of signs saying we arent allowed up there and there are alarms) was actually open and had a pretty good view of fireworks.
It was just me, bf, 4 kids from the building and their parents and it was a lot of fun.

Money quote from 6 yr old "If only the fireworks were a whole lot bigger!"

We are having what I would term an introvert's holiday -- we have told various white lies and/or obfuscations to everyone who has invited us to things so that we can spend the day by ourselves, which rocks. Ikkyu2 is grilling up margarita-marinated cornish game hens, and I made garlic greens beans with parmesan and a black bean & mango salad, and we will eat it on the couch while watching mutually agreeable horrible television, and I could not imagine a better holiday.

I have bronchitis and pinkeye so I bailed on the fireworks. Went to "The Polish Tearoom" with pips after the play Saturday and had a nice chat.

The doctor at NY Eye and ear gave me ointment instead of drops, so I can't treat the eyes until bedtime. Ridiculous.

Yes, the "Polish Tearoom" did not disappoint... great matzo ball soup! It was great to have a chance to hang out, too, brujita... hope you're feeling better soon.

Went to a barbecue at my brother's house in CT Sunday, got to see my mom. There was more extended family there than expected, but, all-in-all, it was relatively drama-free for a family day. And my brother makes a mean burger on the grill.

We are having what I would term an introvert's holiday

That sounds like a wonderful day! We did sorta the same, after one minor family thingee: I stayed home and experimented making jam tarts (NOT SUCCESSFUL) while The Fella drove north to drop in and surprise his parents, then he came home and made dinner (tortellini with mushrooms and broccoli), then we drank beer and watched Get Shorty and listened to fireworks boom outside.

I kayaked. We set up our grill and barbecued. I had a cheeseburger, coleslaw, potato salad, and watermelon. I went for a short bike ride when I got home and then went to minor league ballgame for baseball and fireworks.

I got all the makings for a peach cobbler and then our air-conditioner went out. The temp outside was 100+, the temp inside was 95. We did not turn on the oven. We packed a bag and went to a hotel, the cost of which will come off the rent check I turn in today. The plus? 4th floor window with a view of the fireworks.