Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Happy 4th of July

Fireworks

When I was a little girl, I lived in a small town in southern Michigan.  Our town, Belleville, had a lake where each Fourth of July my parents would take my sisters and I to view the town’s fireworks display.    We would have our 4th of July picnic at home, then drive out to the lake, parking at the Bait and Tackle shop at the outskirts of town.  There was a little island way out in the middle of the lake where the pyrotechnics were organized, and I recall being so in awe of the brave souls who handled the dangerous materials that would put on the explosive, colorful show.  I  remember being so impatient for it to get dark so the fire works could begin.  Everyone sat on their blankets on the lakeshore, swatting mosquitos and watching the fireflies come out, all waiting for the magical moment when the show would start.  Kids would race around in excitement, waving sparklers in the air, squealing in anticipation and getting more keyed up by the minute.  Parents would sip beer, chat quietly amongst themselves, and make sure their kids didn’t set their hair on fire with the sparklers.  Finally, without fanfare, the first flare would shoot up over the lake, the crowd would become still, and the next half hour or so would be a blur of color, noise, and oohs and ahhs from the audience.  At the completion of the presentation, the parents would gather up the now exhausted children, pack them back in the car and head for home.  Hot and sticky, we would murmur sleepily in the backseat about what we liked best about the display.  It was all so totally satisfactory.

Happy 4th of July friends!  I am off to celebrate the occasion with my sister Andrea in Granite Bay.  It is 100 degrees there, but I don’t care, it will be lovely to get away and spend time with the family. I’m not sure if there will be fireworkds, but there may be Watermelon Margaritas!  I hope you all will enjoy the occasion with your nearest and dearest, and I will be back to tell you all about my holiday in a few days.

18 responses to “Happy 4th of July”

  11. Happy 4th from another former Michigander! Thanks for sharing your memories and have a great time with your family.

  12. Happy 4th from another former Michigander! Thanks for sharing your memories and have a great time with your family.

  15. Happy 4th to your & yours! It was so lovely reading of your memories…Living abroad, I sometimes miss the fun of real 4th of July festivities. Have a terrific day! :o)

  16. Happy 4th to your & yours! It was so lovely reading of your memories…Living abroad, I sometimes miss the fun of real 4th of July festivities. Have a terrific day! :o)

  17. Nicole – I was happily reading about your plans for the 4th, when the page became a blur, and my vision centered on 2 words – “watermelon margaritas”.
    I do hope you had one for me! LOL!!

  18. Nicole – I was happily reading about your plans for the 4th, when the page became a blur, and my vision centered on 2 words – “watermelon margaritas”.
    I do hope you had one for me! LOL!!