Small Fish

You must be able to tell by now when I'm busy having fun. I don't blog. Unless I have time to tell you about how much fun I'm having.

Happy Independence Day! (A day late, but still being celebrated by many.)

We finally made it to Cicero, Indiana for the 4th of July fireworks. Bill also got to experience the Symphony on the Prairie. 

I hope that it's been a fun way to celebrate our Independence Day and that he got a small taste of what I grew up experiencing.

Growing up near Morse Reservoir meant that we had fireworks no matter what (a few summers ago was the first time since my parents have lived here that they had to cancel the fireworks because it was that dry). For this tiny town, the fireworks show is amazing. The town has about 3,000 people. The fireworks are huge and last a good twenty minutes. I haven't seen a show this good since Bill and I went to South Haven a few years ago.

In 2009, the town celebrated its 175th anniversary. They had a huge celebration with civil war reenactments, vendors, games, and live concerts in the park. From then on the vendors and reenactors have come back. It's not just a one-day celebration but it all lasts for three days. Also, the 4th is when the fireworks display is set off no matter what day of the week.

The UMC I grew up in has always held a fish fry around the 4th too.

It has always been a big deal in this small town.

When Bill and I were first dating, he was in the boating business (retail, not marina). Summers were not his down time in case you aren't a boater.

Two or three years ago I said something to Bill about Symphony on the Prairie and he reminded me that he had never been to a show. It was then that I declared we were going to go to Cicero for the 4th. Last year he was unable to make it because the Sr. High left on the 5th for their work camp trip. Which was fine because I drove to Cicero and had food poisoning (I thought I blogged about it but I did not, instead I blogged about this, which I played the other day and got to 44 on our way to Cicero). Since the 4th was on Friday this year, I put my foot down and said we were coming to Cicero.

We made it.

I had a wonderful 4th just like the ones I remember.

I'm thankful for our freedom.

Take me out to the ball game...

Back at Christmas, Bill was sent an email from CMU to buy tickets to a Tigers game on June 6th as an alumni event. We asked our friends Chandra and Jason if they would like to come with us.

Friday, June 6th arrived and the four of us headed to Detroit (Motor City) to Comerica Park. We found the alumni reception where we each got our free popcorn and free CMU t-shirts. We had some refreshing beverages and then went out found out stadium seats.

There is no such thing as a bad seat in newer stadiums. We were along the third base line, well into outfield. There were only about four more sections to the end. We were also in the third tier. Again, not bad seats, we had a great view of the entire field. The down side only came when a ball was hit high; then perspective really threw us all off and we had a difficult time figuring out where it was going to land. Fortunately, the Tigers did not have that perspective and were able to make several easy catches.

My phone quickly died. But Chandra and Bill had theirs, so we have a few good pictures. Like this one.

Then there's this one.

 We were having way too much fun. Can  you see Jason in the background (just behind Bill's left ear) paying close attention to the game. I watched most of the game, but it is baseball. Talking is allowed.

And so are silly photos.

The Tigers beat the Red Sox 6-2. It was a great game with a couple of home runs. 

We stayed for the fireworks which were not disappointing. They were spectacular! And our seats were perfect. The majority of the fireworks were right at our level. It was a lovely evening.

Our independence

Happy 237th birthday to America.

As I sit here, in my dining room, listening to what seems like the entire neighborhood shooting off fireworks, scaring every living creature to hiding behind entertainment centers, curtains or whatever else they think will keep them safe (yes, I am talking about the same cat who caught a blue jay), enjoying the fact the the Tigers beat the Blue Jays, and having been slightly annoyed for the last year of the new law that Michigan now allows the average joe to purchase all kinds of fireworks; that is when it hit me.

This is independence.

This is what our rights and freedom mean.

We should be allowed to purchase and shoot off fireworks that I have only ever seen before in a professional show.

And we can shoot them off in our own backyard if we want.

I may not enjoy the fact that everyone in my neighborhood seems to have to turned into a ten year old boy who loves to play with matches, or that this can go on for another hour and a half, or that it can happen before, on and after any major holiday.

But it's freedom.

And I am happy that I can enjoy that.

God Bless America.