Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Just a quickie, I'm afraid

Today is the 4th of July.

When I was a kid this was a big deal, despite the fact that it pretty much rained every year. My brother and I would watch it glumly all day, praying it would clear up by nightfall so we could go outside and draw colored shapes in the air with sparklers, and use a punk to light those black snakes (the only fireworks we were usually allowed to light), while Dad set off the big stuff and the dog cowered terrified inside.

On the Bicentennial we went to a local park (whose name I've been trying to remember all damn morning and can't, and apparently the name has changed because Google doesn't help). My parents laid out the Snoopy sheet we used for picnics and to make tents, and we all sat on it and watched what promised to be The Greatest Fireworks Display Ever. I remember it was pretty cool, too, although being only almost 4 I was awfully tired. We used to be in awe of Bicentennial quarters, too, with the soldier on the back and the flag? That was coool, man. Special coins! Because it was America's birthday!

One year my Dad got chased by a Roman Candle. It tipped over and shot a fireball right at him. He ran out of the way, and it ricocheted off the side of my little playhouse and followed him. I don't remember how it all resolved. I presume he beat it to death. He used to tell us about the Roman Candle fights he got into with his brothers when he was a kid. I was in awe.

A few years ago the hubs and I grabbed a pizza that night and drove home listening to some sort of "Patriotism Mix" on the radio. The Fourth was irritating in our neighborhood, because the people behind us were, like magpies, adoring of Bright Shiny Things and turned the 4th into "America's Six-Week Birthday". The fireworks would start in early June and last until mid-August. When we went onto our back porch it was like the apocalypse was nigh and people were huddling around burning trash cans for warmth.

I miss it all.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone.


(BTW, I haven't been making my usual rounds much this week, and probably won't, because I am up to my neck in work. I did 6k words yesterday. My goal for today is 7500. Everything came due at once--unexpectedly, it wasn't like I lazed about. Pray for me, I'm going in.)

18 comments:

Robyn said...

Ah, yes. My friends up the street tried setting off some pop bottle rockets and blew a chunk out of the curb. Good times.

writtenwyrdd said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
writtenwyrdd said...

I don't miss the noise, but then I worked shift work too many years.

As far as praying for you, here's a good one: May the Dark Lady of Chaos, Eris, ignore you in your hour of need, my friend, because you have enough already!

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th, DQ.

I've missed you lately, but I totally understand the need for word count...my goal today is a mere 2K. I am truely in awe of your 6.

writtenwyrdd said...

I'm working on a full and detailed plot outline. Boy, is it easy to distract yourself from doing that!

Vicki said...

Awww...your post brought back some of my own fav memories of the 4th. Going to the beach, cooking out, making homemade icecream (the kind you have to take turns with the hand crank)and sparklers...always had sparklers.

You'll be missed around the blog neighborhood but we understand that and I'm so excited about your word counts.

Sending lots of good writing vibes to you.

Rebecca said...

Happy 4th December - and good luck with all the work!!

Rebecca said...

Hey - should be a comma between 4th and December - otherwise looks like I've got my month wrong....blah...I'll just try again.
Happy 4th of JULY, December!

Anonymous said...

7500 words?!!! Holy crapoly, December. What are you trying to do - kill yourself?

I'm with Seeley. Awed. (I'm a bit odd, too.) ;)

Scary Monster said...

You got me to remember "Magic Snakes" and that makes this post yummeriffic. Anytime me can go back to the idyllic moments of childhood where the influence of insane grown ups not be present; be a good time. Thx.

STOMP.

Anonymous said...

Go December! You look nice with that cat 'o nine gettin' them words to line up all nice for you :)

Camille Alexa said...

Happy Fourth!

Stacia said...

Heh, remember those days, Robyn? When you could conceivably really hurt yourself and it was fun?


Hey, thanks Writtenwyrdd! Thatis a good one! And I hear you on the shift work, and I know how easy it is to avoid outlines, oh yes. I'm supposed to be doing two proposals at the moment and just can't get moving, so all this catch-up work has been welcome. I think it's the retrograde.


Thanks Seeley. I'm hoping next week I'll be back in the swing of things. I hate not visiting everyone.


The funny thing, Vicki, is that as I get older sparklers make me nervous. I mean, they can really hurt if they fall of your skin, and this is what my parents gave us to play with as kids!?

Stacia said...

Lol Rebecca, I knew what you meant! Thanks. We basically lazed around the house--or rather, everyone else lazed, I worked my fingers to the bone. Still a good day though!


Yes, kis, that's exactly what I'm trying to do. :-) Nope, just trying to get stuff out there.


Yep, SM, it's always nice isn't it? I used to love snakes. That little black pellet that left smudges on your hand...so cool. I don't know if they even still sell them!


That's me, Michele, Mistress December. I'll have to take a picture of my whip one of these days. :-) And my sure-to-be-gnarled-before-their-time hands. Sigh.

Thanks LBB! You too!

BernardL said...

6K to 7.5K is seriously heavy duty writing. I hope that writing rate holds up for you.

Stacia said...

Well, I came close, Bernard. I did 6k on Tuesday, 4000 on Wed and finished up the last 2800 yesterday. But everything was finished, which is the most important thing!

I'm hoping to keep my pace up all summer. :-)

Anonymous said...

How do you do it? I am bouncing off the walls and wanting to give the kids all sorts of rewards because they gave me time to get about 2600 done today. That's just wonderful, and not really top-able in my book.

Stacia said...

I was lucky, Michele, the hubs was off work this week. :-) Usually I have to stay up past bedtime to get a good wordcount in.