Yankee Doodle Dandy.....

Happy Independence Day

So, I'm sitting around thinking about the blog. I usually take a break on Friday and Sunday, do I post today, or not? We have nothing planned so it's not like I'm busy. The nice thing about this dilemma is, who cares? It's my blog and I can do what I want. You know, I think that's a song but can't remember by who, or whom. (this paragraph was written yesterday, Monday) Today I remembered, Eric Burdon and the Animals, "It's My Life"..and I'll do what I want....a very good theme for today.

Younger Daughter Rebbecca should be arriving in Oregon very soon. She is visiting her Aunt Sandy, Uncle Greg, their kids and their kids kids. They live in Washington about 15 minutes from Portland, Oregon. Sandy was my sister-in-law when the bad spouse and I were married. I haven't seen her or Greg in over 25 years. The product of divorce, sometimes good, sometimes not so good, the loss of the entire family

Older Daughter Jennifer and husband Eric are celebrating their wedding anniversary today.

A couple of my notes from the holiday week end. I realize this is old news, but about the fatal auto accident.

I read the fellow from the Jackass movies was driving well over the limit for blood alcohol. He also was driving at reported speeds of between 130 and 140 MPH. This guy found a type of entertainment many people obviously enjoyed. He was doing what he liked and making a good living. I didn't read what Roger Ebert wrote about the situation but understand it bothered many people. Maybe he wrote what a lot of people were thinking? Fueled by alcohol and a very fast car, this man was a Jackass and paid the ultimate price for it. What a shame and what a loss.

The past few days our coastal fog has abandoned us. Our weather has been in triple digits from Friday up to and probably including today. Any foray into the outside elements was brief for me and Wanda. Early mornings we opened the house to hopefully get a breeze and some fresh air. By late morning we closed everything hunkered down and turned on the AC. It seemed like the heat was going to keep the "any excuse for noise" jerks at bay, it almost did.

In the "My World So I Can Do Anything" reality, here is what I would do, today. I would gather the holiday noise makers and give them a history quiz. I would love to find out how many of the sparkler lighting, fire cracker throwing, bottle rocket flying inconsiderate jerks knew the significance of the holiday. The historical importance, beyond the we fought the British and won, I hope everyone would at least know that.

Every friggin' year it's the same thing around here. New Years Eve and the 4Th of July bring the idiots out of the wood work. The worst noise was after eleven o'clock and just before midnight there was a feeling of urgency in the air. It was as if all the fireworks would soon turn into pumpkins. Even though a work night, two groups a block away continued to outdo one another.

If I convinced myself it was just kids having fun and put all the holiday aggravation aside. I still would like to know if I am the only person bothered by this? What do the other people around here think? Are they all hard of hearing? Maybe next year I'll pass out questionnaires. I sure as heck can't  talk to them.......ethnic diversity has it's problems.

When I reflect back on the good old days a common thread runs through every subject, respect and consideration. When I was a kid my friends and I raised Hell in the neighborhood. I'm sure the adults wished we would go elsewhere. The big difference, I think, is not WHAT we did but the WAY we did it. It seems silly to suggest we were considerate with the firecrackers but, we knew what we could get away with. Today it doesn't seem to matter, kids, people, just do what they want.

Anticipating a long noisy night Wanda said, "If I was smart I would call the Hampton Inn right now and book a room." I am very sure she said the same thing last year and the year before that. This morning she said, "Next year I am going to take the day after the Holiday off." I'm sure either one of those things would make the celebration a little easier for her. As for me, next year maybe I'll buy some Jack Daniels. I'll bet a fifth would help me on the fourth.

Remember, if you drink alcohol do not operate a car, motorcycle, bicycle or pogo stick. Also, fireworks are illegal and upsetting to many people and animals. Actually, now that I think about it, do us all a favor. Stay home, drink lots, and pass out in your living room.