Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July, everyone!  

This is a copy of last year's 4th of July post that I thought was pretty good, and I wanted you all to read it this year in case you missed it.  

At the very least, please give the video and song at the end a watch/listen!  Happy Independence Day!

Growing up, my family put our half-hearted spin on most holidays, aside from the 'big ones' like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  By half-hearted, I mean we hardly mentioned it was even a holiday and didn't decorate or have a big meal with friends or family.  The 4th of July wasn't any different than any other day in my household, and when I think about the Independence Days of my childhood, I can only remember a handful of things.  

I always enjoyed helping my Dad get out our American flag and hanging it on the house.  He reserved this act for only Memorial Day and Independence Day, making it even more special.  After that, I can only remember waiting around the house and avoiding the heat while watching TV or playing games on the computer.  We'd count down the hours until Dad grilled some burgers or hotdogs that would make up the bulk of our "celebration."  

After dinner, I'd find something to do and try to catch the New York City fireworks on television.  Usually, my parents were watching something like Frasier, so I'd have to beg to watch a few minutes of it.  I know it's hard to believe, but we only had one TV.  Ok, to be honest, my parents had one in their bedroom, but I had to have a real good reason to use it.

Sometime while I was in high school, my parents began their own unofficial tradition of watching the Boston Pops Orchestra play patriotic music on PBS.  At that age, however, I'd have rather watched paint dry.

We never went to watch fireworks, as my Dad would always say he didn't want to fight the crowds.  He and Mom frequently took us to see fireworks at other points of the year up at Bear Mountain, and I guess they decided that was enough colorful explosions for one year.

My parents were also very against us having our own firecrackers and the like.  It was mainly because when I was about 5, my Dad set off some firecrackers, and one launched itself onto a neighbor's roof in a fiery blaze of explosive glory.  I remember him scooping me up and sprinting into the house, which was the end of fireworks in our household. 

After that, my parents would get us a pack of sparklers every year, and my brother and I would stand in the driveway and wave them around like lunatics, chasing each other for a few minutes as soon as it got dark.  One summer in middle school, I spent my allowance buying some fireworks from my neighbor after returning from his vacation in Pennsylvania, where fireworks were legal to purchase.  My Mom confiscated them, and years later, when I found them hidden in the cellarway.  I waited until they went out one evening and lit them off in the street.

Sorry, Mom.

When I met my wife in college, she invited me to her family's cabin in upstate New York on our first 4th together.  The homeowners association had an annual 4th of July picnic around the lake, and it became a tradition to head up there every year for a few days for the picnic and a fireworks display.  I jumped through hoops every year during the airline's busy season to make sure I had off that weekend, and I only can recall missing one year.

Like with most things, it only takes a handful of people to ruin everything.  As more and more people from "the city" started moving into the area, they began complaining about the noise and the safety of the evening fireworks by the lake.  The gentleman who volunteered his time and money to put on a pretty spectacular display each year decided it was no longer worth the hassle and retired.  Every year after that, the picnic lost some magic as they added more and more rules.  Due to COVID, there wasn't one last year in 2020, and there won't be another one this year for 2021 as everyone is still skittish about the whole thing.  I'm afraid another great tradition has been lost in the name of "modernity."

For those of you new to this site, I grew up in upstate New York, but I've lived on Long Island for nearly 20 years now.  I've traveled all over the country for work, and I've never seen a place like Long Island when it comes to fireworks.  Every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day, not a night goes by that people don't shoot off all sorts of rockets and grenades from dinner to well after midnight.  Some are of such professional quality they even shake the house on occasion.  I don't mean to sound like the curmudgeon I am coming across as, but with two little yipper dogs with anxiety issues, living in the fireworks capital of America wears thin quickly. 

This post is starting to sound pretty negative, and that's not my intention.  The 4th of July holiday is about celebrating all that is America.  My opinion on the direction of this country may have soured recently, but it's still the greatest place to live on earth.  We should all be grateful to be here, whether we're born here or not.  We should reflect on all who have gone before us that have worked hard, sacrificed, and given everything to build this into the greatest nation on earth.

Last year, the guys at The Retro Network asked what pop culture reference makes us think about America.  My answer then, as it is likely now and forever, was easy.

The nighttime 4th of July baseball game from the movie The Sandlot.  When Ray Charles' rendition of "America, the Beautiful" plays, it makes me feel happy and excited for the future, melancholy for the past, and proud and patriotic all at the same time.  

Please take the 3 minutes to watch the clip below.  It's worth it, I promise.  Happy 4th, everyone.