What a pleasurable Fourth of July we had here on the Cutoff. The 4th, of course is the United States’ national celebration of our founding and, like everything American, we tend to do it up in big style. From parades to picnics, cookouts to firework displays, July 4 is a time for fun, food, and frolic.
Our day started with the annual parade down the Cutoff. It was a long one this year, lasting a full eight minutes, rather than the usual five! Tom and I pottered about, watering plants and pulling weeds, until we sensed the line-up beginning, with neighbors and their machines heading to the start-up point. We perched ourselves upon the curb, for someone needs to WATCH the parade along the Cutoff, since, it seems, everyone else is in it.
A long, low honk of a big red fire engine signaled the start, and thus, the parade commenced. Our neighbor next door was the most creative, we thought, with a table, chairs, and an SUV sailing past in comfort. The “kiddie” brigade seems to have grown from the strollers of last year to the toddling tricycle riders of this, followed by the golf cart brigade and, my favorite, the rusty old tractors.
We followed the parade with a cook-out at Heather and Andrew’s; brats, burgers, and beer! Oh, I must mention the apple pie made by brother-in-law Mike! This is it, folks; as American as we can make it. The Fourth of July.
Of course, the 4th is followed by the 5th, which is my Antler Man’s birthday. He still seems to me like that 19 year-old-boy I met in college. Still the love of my life, and my “bestest” friend. Happy B-day, Tom! Let’s meet in the arbor for something cool to drink. Want to join us?
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