Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July, 

From a Baby Boomer, 

From a survivor. 

I survived 

Childhood 4th of July's 

Full of Roman candles, 

Cherrie bombs, 

Barbecues that went awry, 

Etc. 

Happy 4th of July, 

From a Baby Boomer Survivor. 

Saturday Contemplations: Sleepless Nights

Jalal (Glory), 10 Raḥmat (Mercy) 173 BE - Saturday, July 2, 2016 about 3:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

To sleep perchance to dream 

Without being woke up by a big bang. 

In my neighborhood the Fourth of July celebration started last night. The celebration will continue until Monday or Tuesday or whenever the neighbors have sit off all their fireworks. I always enjoyed the Independence Day celebrations and I still do. I just don't  enjoy being kept up until all hours of the night by exploding fireworks. All though I suppose it's better then being kept up all night by gunshots, but not by much. 

Fortunately, I can write, read, or pray while all this noise is going on. The problem about being kept up all night is that you schedule the next day is ruined. Not at I have much of a morning schedule anymore. My morning schedule consists of taking medication the first thing of a morning. After I take the medication I continue my other morning routines. Usually part of my morning routine is a walk, but for the  past couple of days that routine has gotten screwed up. 

I will attempt to get back on schedule Sunday morning. I'm not sure if I will or not  because tonight I expect to be kept up half the night with fireworks, Oh, well, that life. If ist isn't one thing it's another. Actually it's usually one damn thing after another. 

Have a Happy 

And safe Fourth of July! 

Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July

Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Friday, July 4, 2014 about 11:17 am Pacific Daylight Time

Have a safe
and Happy Fourth of July
while celebrating America's birthday
and don't for get to say
The Prayer for America today.

Have a Happy Fourth of July
while listening to patriotic songs
such as Yankee Doodle Dandy,
America the Beautiful,
or The Star Spangled Banner
while watching
red, white, and blue fireworks
decorate the night sky.

Thankful Thursday: July 3, 2014

Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Thursday, July 3, 2014 about 5:56 pm Pacific Daylight Time

 Today I am thankful...

01. ...for Canada Dry Ginger Ale because it was my Grandma Mary's favorite and every time I drink it I remember Grandma.

02. ...that I can purchase Ginger Ale in 16 oz. bottles because they are easier for me to carry, store, and drink.

03. ...for fireworks on the 4th of July because it brings back memories from my childhood.

04. ...that I can purchase individual watermelons because they are easier for me to carry, store, and eat.

05. ...for English Black tea because it makes good hot tea and iced tea.

06. ...that I have a container in the bathroom to keep an extra roll of toilet paper because then I know when to go to the store to purchase more. I live in a studio apartment and their is not a very much storage that I can reach easily.

07. ...for the news-feed on writing.com because it reminds me to post my weekly goals update.

08. ...that tomorrow (Friday) is the 4th of July because I do not have to worry about going anywhere except to the alley to take out the trash.

09. ...for Dijon mustard because it taste good on hot dogs which is another 4th of July treat.

10. ...that I have a Facebook account because I can wish my brothers a Happy 4th of July without worrying that they will not be home when I call them.

Evening on the Fourth of July: A Poem

Weariness sits in,
I yawn,
but I am not planning to sleep.

It is the Fourth of July,
Independence Day,
time to celebrate America's birthday.

I listen
as the celebration begins
with booms,
bangs,
cracks,
and pops.

I smile,
I laugh,
remembering my childhood;
the celebration has not changed
in the last 66 years,
we still commemorate
with noise abandon
and sparkling sky rockets.

Happy Birthday U.S.A.

 

Happy 4th of July

‘Idál (Justice), 11 Rahmat (Mercy), 169 BE – Wednesday, July 4, 2012 about 4:40 PM Pacific Time

Fireworks in the sky

It is the Fourth of July

Safe celebration

I wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July and Happy Independence Day.

Mom and I stayed home today. We ate hot hotdogs, watermelon, potato salad, and cherry berry pie with ice cream.

Today does not seem like Tuesday

Fidál (Grace), 12 Rahmat (Mercy), 167 BE – Tuesday, July 5, 2011 about 5:50 PM Pacific Time

I keep thinking today is Monday; it just does not feel like Tuesday. I think that is because yesterday was a holiday. On the Fourth of July, the adult daycare center did not open, so Mom stayed home. Mom attends the center Monday through Friday unless one of those days is a holiday.

I enjoyed having Mom home for three days straight; however, it threw my sense of time off. Today feels like Monday because Mom went back to the center today. She left the house about 8:30 AM and returned home around 4:30 PM. Mom was in decent mood today, she did cry this morning while she waited in her wheelchair for the Center’s buss to pick her up, but I think that was because she is not used to taking the wheelchair.

When she came home this afternoon, she was happy and not crying. I think she will eventually get used to taking the wheelchair to the daycare. In fact, for the past few days Mom has been in a good mood. Yesterday and today, she got up willing and did not fuss when I asked her to change her cloths. In addition, she went to the daycare without putting up a fuse.

I am happy about Mom’s good mood and I hope it last a while. Perhaps the medication is doing some good after all. I will just go with the flow and accept Mom’s mood as a blessing.

Fourth of July memories

Kamál (Perfection), 11 Rahmat (Mercy), 167 BE – Monday, July 4, 2011 about 3:45 PM Pacific Time

The fourth of July always brings back pleasant memories. As a child, I liked Independence Day because we spent it at Lake Blackwell with my grandparents. We set off firecrackers, grilled hot dog and hamburgers, and drank soda pop. Grandma always made her potato salad to go with our lunch and we always ate a cold watermelon.

During the day, Grandpa took us out on the lake in his motor boat. Grandpa also, water-skied. I remember sitting in the boat while one of my older cousins drove the boat and Grandpa skied. I enjoyed the Fourth of July because it was a day Mom and Grandpa did not have to work, so we could spend the entire day at the Lake.

At night, we would set off fireworks. Grandpa and the other adults lit Roman candles (illegal today) and we set off bottle rockets. I enjoyed watching the fireworks and I enjoyed spending the night at the Lake sleeping in Grandpa’s trail house (mobile home). Those were nice days and we were lucky no one in the family was hurt by the fireworks.

Tomorrow is America’s Birthday

Jamál (Beauty), 10 Rahmat (Mercy), 167 BE – Sunday, July 3, 2011 about 3:55 PM Pacific Time

For the past couple of nights, someone has set off firecrackers. This happens in this neighborhood every year around this time. Someone begins celebrating America’s Birthday two or three days early. I do not mind hearing the firecrackers because their sound brings back memories of my childhood.

I remember celebrating the Fourth of July in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Someone always wanted to begin the celebration a few days early. It was not a big deal at the time firecrackers were noisy and scary. On the night of the Fourth, we celebrated to occasion at Lake Blackwell where we barbequed during the day and set off fireworks at night. Grandpa always watched us and made sure we were safe.

A few times, we went to Lake Carl Blackwell for the Fourth, but most of the time we went to Lake Blackwell. I always enjoyed spending Independence Day with Grandpa and Grandma at Lake Blackwell.

A Happy Fourth of July

Kamál (Perfection), 12 Rahmat (Mercy), 167 BE – Monday, July 5, 2010 about 10:41 AM Pacific Time

Mom and I had a happy Fourth of July!

We stayed home all day on the Fourth. We ate hot dogs on buns with yellow mustard and sweet relish. On Sunday evening, I cut a small seedless watermelon in half for us to eat. Mom enjoyed the watermelon, so I am going to buy another one for us.

I still have to get some foods that Mom can fix for herself. All though, I should say will fix for herself because there is a difference. We have plenty of food in the house, it is just that Mom will not fix anything other then peanut butter sandwiches or cold cereal.

Mom liked the hot dogs we had yesterday. She put mustard on one bun and peanut butter on another. Mom seemed to like the hot dog and peanut butter on a bun. Mom needs to gain weight, so as long as she eats the food I do not care how she combines it. I know some of the food she combines sounds a bit odd, but Mom is the one eating the combinations.

I heated the hot dogs in the fry pan yesterday. I also placed the buns on the plates, but Mom fixed the rest for herself. If I cook something, Mom does the rest for herself; she just will not cook or open a can. I am not sure why she does not want to cook anymore. I suspect some of Mom's actions have to do with Alzheimer' disease.

Hot Dogs and Watermelon on the Fourth of July

Jamál (Beauty), 11 Rahmat (Mercy), 167 BE – Sunday, July 4, 2010 about 2:58 PM Pacific Time

All beef hot dogs on
A hot dog bun with sweet
Relish and mustard

Mom and I did not have a picnic outdoors today, we had the hot dogs for breakfast this morning. Mom ate two hot dogs and drank a couple of cups of coffee. This afternoon she at a hamburger sandwich with a cold can of soda. I still have the watermelon in the fridge, I will cut it this evening.

Cold watermelon
Waits in the fridge for supper
And a cold soda

The 4th of July 2009

Jalál (Glory), 11 Rahmat (Mercy), 166 BE – Saturday, July 4, 2009 about 8:04 AM Pacific Time

The 4th of July has arrived
with memories of yesterday,
memories of sparkling fireworks displays,
picnic and grandma's traditional potato salad.

Independence day,
a day to celebrate America's Independence
tell the story of freedom's struggle,
watch parades,
and eat at barbecues.

I had my lower plate adjusted today

Istijlál (Majesty), 9 Rahmat (Mercy), 166 BE – Thursday, July 2, 2009 about 5:40 PM Pacific Time

I had my lower plate adjusted today. I haven't be able to eat with it very well, so I went to the dentist at 8:00 AM. After having it adjusted, we went out to eat breakfast. I had an easier time eating this morning, after the adjustment, then yesterday afternoon. I don't know if I'll have to have it adjusted again or not. I'll know that after Saturday.

I'm going to a 4th of July barbecue on Saturday. I'll see how eating goes that day. I think I'll put the dental adhesive on the plate before going to the barbecue. I don't use the adhesive on the upper plate anymore, but I do use it on the lower plate sometimes. Life is an adventure and learning to eat again with my false teeth is becoming an adventure.

I remember Sunday afternoon with my Grandparents

Jamál (Beauty), 5 Sharaf (Honor), 165 BE – Sunday, January 4, 2009 about 7:14 AM Pacific Time

It is January. It is winter. I am remembering a Sunday afternoon in summer that I spent with my Grandparents. It was a Fourth of July holiday and we were waiting for sunset to "set off the fireworks". We were staying at the lot they rented on Lake Blackwell for the night. Grandma and Grandpa had a "trailer house" (most people call them mobile homes anymore) on that lot.

I remember the mobile home had a bathroom, but when we used the toilet, we had to go to a wooden outhouse. I think we could take a cold shower in the bathroom, but I am not sure about that because I was a child and the events occurred a long time ago. I remember the outhouse because there were spider webs in it and I was afraid of spiders.

As I said, it was a Fourth of July holiday and we were waiting for Sunset. My siblings and I were setting off firecrackers. In addition, Grandpa took us in his motor boat for a ride up and down the lake. Grandpa water-skied that day as well, but the real excitement would come after sunset when we set off the "real" fireworks.

Waiting for sunset
we passed time lighting
firecrackers and skiing.

I am working on a group of poems about my childhood and my grandparents. I also think I will write a poem about the outhouse. Most places have indoor plumbing anymore and outhouses are things of the past. I think we need to remember them.

The wooden outhouse
had spiders and smelled
the spiders made me nervous.

A Fourth of July Tradition

Istiqlál (Independence), 11 Rahmat (Mercy), 165 BE – Friday, July 4, 2008 about 9:32 PM PDT

For my mother and I, watermelon is a Fourth of July tradition. This year I bought two individual watermelons. I cut the first one this morning and we ate it while watching T.V. I'll cut the other melon this afternoon or this evening. When we eat individual watermelons, we divide the melon between the two of us. That way there is none left to put in the fridge and forget about.

When I was a child, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, my grandfather grew his own watermelon. We ate huge watermelons all summer long. Now, however, I don't like having large watermelons in the fridge, because they take up too much room. The smaller individual watermelons are enough for Mom and me.

Another advantage is that I don't have to have the entire kitchen counter empty to cut them on. To cut an individual watermelon, I need only a small area and a sharp knife, nothing more. I cut the watermelon and put them on the plastic disposable plates. I remember, my grandparents always used paper plates for the watermelon when we had them outdoors. When grandpa cut a watermelon indoors, we used ordinary dinner plates to put them on.

The thing I find most interesting about family traditions is how they change, yet remain the same throughout the generations. Growing up we ate watermelon on the Fourth of July, no matter where we celebrated Independence Day, we ate watermelon. We sit off fireworks as well as grilled, but a cold watermelon on the Fourth was the common thread in all our family celebrations.

The grilling was never the same from year to year. Sometimes we grilled outside on a portable grill. Sometimes Grandma Newland would fix us a picnic basket to take with us and sometimes we cooked dinner on a stove in a mobile home (my grandparents had one at Lake Blackwell). However, we always ate an ice cold watermelon no matter how the Fourth of July dinner was prepared.

I got up early again today

Istijlál (Majesty), 10 Rahmat (Mercy), 165 BE – Thursday, July 3, 2008 about 4:50 AM PDT

I got up early again today. This morning I rose at 2:00 AM before both the alarm and the sun. In fact, the sun hasn't risen yet; it's still dark outside and I've already made my second carafe of coffee. I've made entries to all my blogs and begun my Gratitude Journal entry for today. I've gotten a lot achieved.

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and I'm off. I have a three-day weekend coming; we're staying home on the Fourth. We're not planning on going anyplace all weekend. Today Mom has an appointment with a doctor and Monday she has an appointment with a doctor. Both of these are follow-ups from her last hospital stay.

I still haven't decided on my Fourth of July blog entry. I don't know why I'm stressing over a blog entry, but it's the Fourth and I feel that Independence Day requires a special entry. I'll decide today what I'm going to write about tomorrow. I have plenty of ideas, but nothing strikes my muse or me.

I'm still thinking about the Fourth of July

‘Idál (Justice), 9 Rahmat (Mercy), 165 BE – Wednesday, July 2, 2008 about 5:52 AM PDT

I'm still thinking about my Fourth of July entry. For three years in a row, my grandparents, parents and cousins went to Lake Karl Blackwell to celebrate the Fourth, four three years in a row accidents happened that were potentially fatal. After the third incident we didn't go to Lake Karl Blackwell any more.

I'm thinking back to those incidents and looking at them from my present perspective. Two of them could have been avoided, while the third was the result of technological failure and couldn't have been avoided. I think I'll describe one or more of those incidents in my blog entry. This means before the Fourth I'm going to have to write notes about those incidents.

It's been a long time since I wrote anything about those incidents and I need to review them a little more closely before I write more about them. I did write a poem several years ago concerning the happenings at Lake Karl (I hope that is how the name is spelled in this instance) Blackwell. I'm also going to have to do little more research on that Lake.

Writing another poem about them or perhaps three poems sounds like a good idea. I also used one of the incidents in a flash fiction piece. Writing two or three new flash fiction stories or a short story sounds like a good idea, as well. I’m not sure which I’ll decide on yet; maybe I’ll just make three different blog entries detailing the incidents.

Thinking about the Fourth of July

Fidál (Grace), 8 Rahmat (Mercy), 165 BE – Tuesday, July 1, 2008 about 5:03 AM PDT

The fourth of July is coming up on Friday. We're going to stay home again this year. There really isn't any use in going out of town, with gas prices so high. Although, I'm not sure that's why we're staying home. We usually don't go out of town on The Fourth.

Mom and I stay home and watch the neighborhood fireworks and those the hotel casino displays. We can see most of the fireworks going off from where we live, so why go anywhere. The neighbors, especially those with kids, usually set off some sort of colored fireworks. In fact, some of the fireworks set off are illegal in Nevada or at least Las Vegas So, with the water situation the way it is, it isn't a good idea to leave the place unattended on the night of the fourth.

I remember growing up in Blackwell, Oklahoma. My grandparents would take us to either Lake Blackwell (I think that's the name of the Lake outside of Blackwell) or Lake Carl Blackwell to ignite fireworks. I enjoyed going to the lake and watching the pyrotechnic displays. I still enjoy watching the displays; I just don't want to go out of town to see them.

Grandpa always enjoyed setting off the fireworks. He liked the way we kids reacted. Of course, the fireworks then weren't as safe as those today. We were really lucky we had as few incidents as we did on the Fourth. I think I'll blog about the displays and fireworks I remember as a child.