Happy July 4th for real this time

Hey everyone. One thing that I like about some of the bigger holidays is that they contain some relatively unique element that helps them stand out in my memory. To put it another way, there are a whole lot of times when I watch fireworks in the summer* when it isn't related to Independence Day. So there are several memories that are distinctly exact years in the past.

* I wanted to specify the summer because I've seen a few fireworks mini-shows at colleges to welcome in the fall semester.

There were the many summers growing up where we would go to the lakefront and then a bunch of people would go right to the carnival. There were a couple years where we stayed home, but at least got a partial show since our house isn't that far away from the lake. (One year, we watched the fireworks on some scaffolding Dad had set up for some home repair.) Then there was also the big 4th of July parade where I went from kid collecting candy to helping other kids get candy to marching band member and then drum major.

More recently, I've spent a handful of July 4ths in Minneapolis with college friends finding a spot among the hundreds of people on the different bridges. I also had a few July 4ths in Missouri, where I got to have a rooftop show of the surrounding area one year. Two years ago, I remember wandering campus and just watching a couple families lighting off some right nearby.

That does bring me to this year and while I wish I could weave this elaborate yarn, I didn't end up doing much. I stayed around my apartment for the day and got a half-fireworks show from out of my window. (Some tree cover was getting in the way.) I've heard some fireworks banging and popping for a couple days so I've tried to spot them in the skies when I hear a little series.

 The only daily holiday that pops up for tomorrow is Bikini Day, but looking on a broader scale, tomorrow is the first day of Be Nice to New Jersey Week. Huh. Okay, going a step broader, July is the national month for grilling, ice cream, horseradish, and hot dogs. If that doesn't scream Independence Day weekend, I don't know what will.

DFTBA