Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Recovering from a Wild 4th

For so many years, our Fourth of July celebrations consisted of blowing stuff up on Roger's dad's property. I LOVE this holiday. I LOVE blowing stuff up. And I LOVE taking photos. The photo to the left is one of my favorites from our own little fireworks display. If you look closely, you'll see the trail of how the firework went UP...then DOWN...then started to explode. Did I mention that I LOVE this holiday? And this year? Oh...this year was SO different.

You see, we got invited to a creek party. In the middle of NOWHERE. And when I say in the middle of nowhere, I mean it. I honestly was shocked that I had cell service. It took us 20 minutes on the highway to reach the turnoff, then another 10 minutes on a bumpy lane, before we landed at the creek. The contractor who built our home owns the property, and he and his entire extended family had a HUGE blowout, complete with fireworks, food, and live music. As I enjoyed the kind of relaxation that is priceless, I reflected on the fact that just two weeks ago, I had been sitting in a revolving lounge, atop one of the tallest buildings in LA, enjoying a chocolate martini. For some reason, sitting creekside in my tank top with a beer was SO much better.Oh, and they blow stuff up the same way we do - only I think with a little more enthusiasm.There were some GREAT musicians at this gathering, and they let my husband sit in for a few jams. There was singing, and picking, and grinning. I think Roger was the one doing most of the grinning.The party was so good, we actually came back on the 5th! It was more low-key, and as relaxing as ever. I know I'm not the typical "country" girl, but there is truly something to be said for living in this area. The people are REAL, you know? I felt at home, even though I didn't know hardly anyone in attendance. I honestly can't remember having had a more fun time on the 4th of July. Or the 5th.

Back home, we still had fireworks. Now that we live outside the city limits, we can shoot fireworks off AT OUR OWN HOME! For the first time! So I set the boys in motion to make our annual fireworks launching pad:I know it was technically the 6th of July, but what else are you supposed to do with leftover fireworks? Besides, everyone around us was firing them that night, too.Last night, we even heard more fireworks exploding. Something tells me I've lived in the city too long. I think the country life was calling my name.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, the pictures of the fireworks turned out great! My husband took a bunch of pictures, then the battery died, and we are apparently too lazy to charge it and see how they turned out. This should give you some insight into my spotty commenting.

You and your kiddo are just the cutest. Someday please tell me how you wear that tank top without showing your bra strap. I need your secrets.

Glad you had a good time. This year was better for me too. Moving into a new place seems to have done us both a lot of good!

Lodo Grdzak said...

Fourth of July and Thanksgiving have got to be the (2) best holidays!

Desert Songbird said...

I still can't get over how y'all are allowed so many fireworks for private use. We are allowed NOTHING here in AZ, and in IN we were only allowed the very tame stuff.

Very odd to me.

Glad you had a great time!

willowtree said...

You sat on a revolving lounge? That sounds like a carnival ride.

That picture under you and the offspring is either defying gravity or is upside down.

Tiggerlane said...

melissa - once again, I think we are apples from the same tree!

lodo grdzak - I'm gonna have to add New Year's Eve - I always have a rockin' party.

desert songbird - yeah, HUGE suckers! You just need to come with us in Arkansas next year. MUST.

wt - it was, after the second chocolate martini - funniest thing was watching the waitstaff maneuver. And it's not upside down - just a trick of photography.

Kila said...

Glad you had such a wonderful holiday! You and the offspring are too cute together. And I love that last photo :)

karisma said...

I think I prefer creekside too! But tell me dear! What shoes did you wear?

Keith said...

No fireworks allowed here in Redding, CA. Too many fires already. Thanx for thje pics

Tiggerlane said...

kila - thanks! And thanks! I just hope the kid doesn't mind people saying she looks like me.

karisma - I rocked Merrell leather sports sandals - black, the first night. Went more dressy with a smooth leather 1-inch heeled sandal the second, with big metal loops.

keith - funny enough, I saw them shoot them at Disneyland around the 18th or so in LA...from my perch. Wonder if they can even still fire them?

Robocop said...

Nice photos. I am glad that you enjoyed the holiday.

bichonpawz said...

hahahaha! I was wondering about your shoes too!! and I absolutely love your fireworks shots. Creekside sounds pretty fabulous!