It’s the 4th of July in the U.S. Come to think of it, it’s the 4th of July in lots of countries, except those who take the 5th (that’s a pun, sort of…I didn’t say it was a good one). But in the U.S. the 4th of July, Independence Day, translates to noise and crowds. Which is why my wife and I don’t really “do” the 4th of July (we’re the same way about New Year’s Eve parties).
I’ve never really liked crowds. Let me clarify: I actually do like crowds when they’re lined up to see one of my movies or buy my forthcoming book (he blithely speculated). I just don’t like being in crowds. It makes me feel, well, unfree — which is sort of the opposite of what Independence Day is about.
So, today Trudy and I are day-tripping, admiring our country from the open road, stopping to see the World’s Largest Horseshoe Crab Sculpture (there’s more than one?), and side-tripping to scenic outlooks — with liberty and elbow-room for all!
How do you celebrate the 4th of July?
Mitch Teemley 
I live in Italy, so….but i truly love Halloween and i’m waiting it to come🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃❤
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How do I celebrate the 4th of July? Independently.
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Yes!
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We will celebrate quietly, grateful to be free thanks to the founder’s wisdom and courage. Barbecued spare ribs and a glass of California wine will remind us of the abundance we are privileged to enjoy. And prayers of gratitude to God along with pleas for the preservation of this great nation.
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Yes.
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Hey, it’s your holiday! I’ve already had mine — on July 1st, Canada Day. It’s kinda like Independence Day but less so. I dislike being in crowds as well, so we watched fireworks all over the city from the peace of our 8th floor balcony. We have a great view.
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Perfect.
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Just getting together with family back in the woods. ATV and boat rides for the kids/ grandkids. The smoker grill is perfecting burgers, brats, hot dogs and mosquitoes.
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You smoke mosquitoes?
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Till they are crispy
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;>)
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Free🇺🇸
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With ear plugs and sleep around 10pm. 😉
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Happy 4th of July! 🌹
In Italy we don’t celebrate it
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Thanks, Luisa. Did you celebrate Festa Della Repubblica in June?
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Yes, we celebrate it on 2nd June
Have a lovely week 🙏
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You too!
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I just want it to be OVER! Where we live, we are surrounded by loud booming fireworks all through the night. Every year, they start a week or two before the 4th and continue for at least a week afterward. My husband has PTSD from combat. To him, the fireworks sound like bombs going off. To me, many of the explosions sound like gunfire, making me flash back to when I was shot at 5 times in fast succession by a drive-by shooter years ago, when I was working north of Chicago. And our big Boxer-Golden Retriever dog runs all over the house barking hysterically at the noise. I found her abandoned on the streets in the middle of July in 2014. Clearly, she was badly traumatized by the fireworks that were going on all around her back when she was so cruelly abandoned.
How do we get through it? We cuddle and pet our terrified dog. We hold hands. We pray. We remind ourselves that my husband survived combat, I survived being shot at, and we assure our sweet dog that she is safe with us and will never have to live out on the streets again. And… we count our blessings that the 4th of July only comes around once a year… until New Years! \@-@/
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We also have neighbors shooting off fireworks and guns. When they started up yesterday, my immediate thought was that I hope none of our neighbors are war veterans with PTSD.
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Awww. Thank you for thinking of our combat veterans.
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You’re welcome, Linda.
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Same. And I know at least 1 house has a new baby. People have been shooting off aerial mortars for well over a month now. Hard to predict what tonight will be like since most people have work tomorrow.
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Places we’ve lived before had noise ordinances. And fireworks were illegal in Virgina.
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Fireworks are illegal here. Doesn’t seem to stop anyone. And most are not the type sold at booths. They’re high power aerial explosives for professional shows orfrom Mexico.
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That’s very dangerous.
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And they’re going off now. Literal mortars.
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😦
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I’m so sorry that those sounds are traumatic for you. My Dad who fought in WWII was afterward always bothered by loud bangs and pops, so I understand how it can be traumatic. I wish neighbors would be more considerate and not Insist on setting off their own fireworks.
I appreciate the sacrifices both of you have made. This is the greatest nation on earth thanks to the wisdom and courage of our founders, and the bravery of all who have fought to preserve it. I pray you’ll receive a measure of peace this day.
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Thank you so much! Your compassion gave me happy tears. ❤
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Such a unique and poignant time for you, Linda. Glad you’re all still with us!
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Happy 4th! Here we have Canada Day which is the 1rst. Read a bit of your Declaration of Independence. The first paragraph or two was all I needed to read. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”…the rest is mostly political jargon…but the beauty of the statement is that there is no statement of it belonging to any one group….seems everyone has a right to these things… Amazing concept…and by the founding fathers over 300 years ago. So, Happy Independence Day. I hope many will meditate upon the one statement that I have copied from it (link to the document provided before). Happy 4th!!!
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oh, but it should be updated to show all people and not just men….but it is a 300+ year old article 😉
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My husband and I had the New Hampshire version of your fourth of July celebration yesterday.
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I’m doing nothing. Might manage some chores. Then making sure the indoor cats are all indoors early
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When we lived in the US we went to an open air museum about American history. It was a great way to spend that day with our little kids. Happy 4th of July, Mitch😊🎉
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Thanks, Erika!
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You are welcome, Mitch.
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Haha! I think you’re thinking of the quote by the late, great Red Skelton: “He who drinks a fifth on the Fourth rarely comes forth on the Fifth.” 😉
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;>)
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Yours sounds like a wonderful day! Keeping ours simple, flying our flag, and hoping for rain! (we live in the desert).
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When my kids were little we would celebrate with friends. But now you will usually find me inside where it is safer and much more quiet. Every year someone let’s off some fireworks that are so loud, the boom startles me.
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This year, a family hike in Colorado mountains. Fireworks from a distance. I’m with you on being in crowds.
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Sounds great.
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We went to a cookout and visited with people I only get to see once in a blue moon. The day prior to that was spent cleaning and cooking and having a relaxing time!
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I don’t like crowds either. You and Trudy’s road trip celebration sound much better. I hope it’s a great one.
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Thanks, Manette, it was. Although, I confess, we didn’t actually stop to see the World’s Largest Horshoe Crab, even though it was on the way to our destination.
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Great post, Mitch! Sounds like you and Trudy had a wonderful day together. Like you, Bill and I had a quiet 4th but we took it to the next level by doing absolutely nothing with the exception of a little gardening and grilling up some burgers. It was OUR Independence Day, free from obligations, grandchildren et al. It was perfect! God bless America and our God-given inalienable rights!
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Glad you enjoyed your independence, Nancy!
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Thanks! Sadly, it ends tomorrow lol!
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We didn’t have to worry about crowds. My wife and I made an unplanned drive to Clear Lake, Washington, and stopped at their City Park where about two dozen people were picnicking, swimming, fishing, and playing.
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Where is the horseshoe crab sculpture? I need to see it for myself. 4th of July? Celebrated with a firefly light show and watermelon!
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