Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Happy? Fourth

Hello,

The days just fly by and I find myself falling further behind in posting. I hope you all had a good Fourth of July holiday. 

I'm going to vent a little about ours. It was good, but we plan to try something different next year. Chuck and I got our chairs down to our usual intersection at 7am after they blocked off the streets. Got a good spot in the shade. At 9:30 all three of us came back down and settled in to people-watch while we waited for the parade to start. We're just two blocks from the beginning so we get to leave while it's still winding it's way through the streets. It's the perfect spot.


Not long after, a police officer came up and told us all that we would need to move our chairs because that part of the intersection was being used as an emergency exit. It never had been before but okay, we definitely understand. We moved our chairs over closer to the sidewalk, but still got to be 'in the street.' With the intersection now empty, we had a big, clear view toward the start, and of all the participants as they would come down the street!

What we didn't know was that he was going to allow people to stand in the intersection. No chairs allowed. Oh. As it got closer to start time, there were so many people that crowded into that space we could only see directly in front of us.

And there were so many kids! We've been at that spot for many years and have never seen so many. Then we hear a dad ask his kids, "Why are we here?" 
"Candy!!"
"And why are we at the front of the parade?"
"Because they haven't run out of candy!"
"That's right!"

So many of the kids had bags that they would fill, like Halloween. One girl even went out to the street to a parade participant and took the candy right out of her hand! 

It was different.

We had the usual participants:





  Some fun ones:



And a few that made you grateful:



And the horses. They're always a favorite!




But this year I would say 85% of the entries were promotions for local political candidates, or shops, or businesses. It was just one big commercial. 

Plus, in 2020 our town decided to stop doing the big fireworks show so you leave the parade and that's that. We've always loved celebrating July 4th in our town but this year was just meh. 

I did make our usual jello dessert. Diana even made it for Adelaide this year. She called it her 'wibbly wobbly.' 😄



I do want to acknowledge the victims of the Texas floods. My heart goes out to everyone impacted by them. I can only imagine what those families are going through.  

6 comments:

ellen b. said...

Sorry the parade was a disappointment. The wibbly wobbly is so fun and festive!

Terri D said...

What a shame that you were so disappointed with your town's changes for the 4th celebrations. A real let-down, for sure. Yes, I think we are all praying for those dear families in Texas who are grieving such terrible losses. I can't even imagine. Sending a hug!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, I am sorry about the parada snafu! That's frustrating, but at least you got some good pictures! And I think they should leave the politics out of the parade! That's just not right!! Oh, I like your hair cut. I think you did something different? It looks very nice. And that special 4th of July "wibbly wobbly" jello parfait looks wonderful!! What a fun tradition that is now being carried on into the next generation! fun stuff! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Regina said...

I wish 4th of July was like when I was a child. Fireworks at home. Yummy food and fellowship. Times sure have changed.

Billie Jo said...

I know how you feel. Sorry! Your dessert looks great! And I love your festive shirt!

Elizabeth "Libby" Day said...

Thank you for your visit to my blog; it was so good to meet you. How disappointing to find so many unpleasant changes to the 4th parade. We usually try to see at least one big fireworks display around us, but didn't this year. We could definitely hear them from inside our house, though. Enjoy the rest of your week.