The Fourth

We celebrated our holiday quietly. Tim went to the parade. I did not. I made a dish to pass for a family celebration, which, as it turned out was not until the following day. 

So instead, we went to the new house. I had steaks marinating, and vegetables ready to saute, and new potatoes. We had our first proper meal in the new house. 

When we were done eating, I gathered up the dishes, and popped it all into the dishwasher. It took just a few minutes to put the kitchen back to rights with only two pots to wash. I came out to the living room to where Tim was sitting in a chair and sat down too. I said, "I will enjoy getting used to this." 

And I think I will. 

Afterwards, we went up to Levi and Mattie's. We had fireworks for the children, which they love. We get the fountains and sparklers, no noisy ones. The kids were beside themselves with excitement as we waited for it to get dark enough to begin. We'd brought the makings for root beer floats which helped to pass the time. Levi and the boys had been in the hayfields all day for the first cutting, so it was quiet. Mattie was making new dresses for the girls when they go back to school in the fall. A neighbor stopped in to visit. Levi said, "We call him 'Blister'. He always shows up when the work is done." We all laughed, 'Blister' as hard as anyone. 

Finally, it got dark, and the fireworks were opened. The oldest 3 boys and their daring sister took turns running across the yard to the far end of the horseshoe driveway to light them with a blowtorch. (!!!!!) 

It was a satisfactory show, with some surprisingly good fireworks in the box, and there were 60 sparklers to keep the kids entertained. 

We drove home and the sky was the faintest pink and blue across the mountains and the lightning bugs sparkled in the hayfields we passed. 

It was a quiet 4th of July, but it seemed fitting. I didn't feel like celebrating, and it is not because I do not love my country.