July 4th memories!

Aloha my OFF sibs!

It is still early here...7:30 a.m....and I'm sitting in my usual spot with the view of the ocean in front of me and to my left. It's a gloriously beautiful morning and all is shiny and golden on this July 4, 2009.

I'm flashing back over July 4ths in the past, and thought it might be fun to share a memorable experience that we have had on this particular holiday.

My most vivid memory is of a 4th when I was around 12 I think. I had a horse named Smokey who I LOVED, and I was part of a club that was invited to be in the 4th of July parade in a little town called Hillsboro, Oregon. My farm was about 10 miles from the fairground, and on the 3rd, many of us rode our horses the 10 miles and had stalls in the barns to sleep in for the night. You can image a group of giggly girls sleeping in the hay beside their horses!! Girls and horses.......seems to go together like ice cream and cake! (always the food references

We proudly rode in the 4th of July parade and then pigged out on hot dogs, potato salad, jello salad, chips, and red, white and blue cake with ice cream! My best friend, Karen (yes we had the same name) and I were like siamese twins in those days.....never apart. Her horse's name was Sugar.....a beautiful "red" quarterhorse. She and I got into trouble a lot......but never the destructive kind. After a day of riding the carnival rides and eating way too much (we were both skinny in those days) we settled down to watch the fireworks. We again slept in the barn and rode our horses home on the 5th. It was a FUN time and still vivid in my mind. My friend, Karen, died recently from an infection that got out of control and she neglected too long. Very sad ending to a wonderfully lived life.

I hope some of your will share a fun memory you have of a special 4th of July. I love hearing about how each of you lived your lives before WLS, and before OFF!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

I grew up in a small town called Lancaster, kansas.  Every 4th of July they would have either a softball game or a horse show at the ball diamond.   Then as it grew dark, men from the town would set off fireworks.  My Dad was always one who got to light them and my Uncle did the annouceing of what th fire works were called like "the Screaming MeeMee".   

A simpler time, and when ever I see fireworks now I think of my Dad and Uncle who have both passed away.  It is a happy/sad time.  

Aloha and thank you for your memory. It's funny how a day can trigger memories of past good/bad times isn't it. I'm glad you have a happy memory of your dad and uncle. I LOVE fireworks and although they have a terrific fireworks show off a barge down near Lahaina, I don't want to fight the traffic so I will just sit on my lanai and watch the fireworks that go on down the beach from me tonight.

Enjoy your day!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

MK,

My fondest memories are of backyard picnics at my mom and dad's house. Mom loved to be where the people were. If camping she wanted to go on a holiday or a weekend. My dad was more of a stay at home type of guy (you know how they say girls tend to find someone like Daddy? I did!) so. . . she would bring the crowd to her shady backyard.

After many years of planting she turned the desert into an oasis with hugs shade trees, losts of terraced rock gardens with rocks from every place they visited. Trees from all over including national parks ("They won't miss just one!") Way too much food. Everyone would bring food and then Mom was always worried about having "enough" and would make more resulting in way too many leftovers.

Dessert eating contests, spitting watermelon seeds on the lawn. . .

Karen, my best friend's name growning up was "Linda Karen" same as mine! She went be Linda.

Today will be spent at a friend's and then at a classmate's to watch fireworks. . . He thought we class of 1967ers needed  to get together to celebrate number 60! You all have a good one.

Aloha Karen.....Now I understand more fully why you are such a "travel bug." It's in your genes....Ha!! You describe such a lovely relationship with your mother, and I'm a little envious of that. My mother was a complicated woman and very much a controller which I did NOT like. Hopefully I haven't inherited that particular trait. She had many wonderful traits, though as in being a warm and friendly woman who was comfortable and easy with people. And she was a GOOD COOK!! Omigod......it's amazing that I was skinny most of the childhood and young adulthood. She was also obese in her later years......so I did inherit those genes as well......sigh.

I love hearing about your life's details.........fills in so many blanks.

With much aloha,

Maui Karen

I'll save the "deep" stuff for another up front and personal session! Mom and I were very different. I didn't share the real nitty gritty fears and worries. Afraid I would disappoint her.  Tried to always be strong even when I was quivering inside with insecurities. Mom was a take charge kind of woman, never met a stranger. I got the second from her but was always afraid of making a mistake. That kept me from following dreams sometimes; that fear, insecurity always wanting to be perfect. I don't know where I got that as she wasn't that way. Some things we are just born with aren't we.

I've said enough. Not a day for deep analysis. I've had way too much sunshine. It's 100 here today and we spent most of the day outside. Not going out tonight. We'll watch the fireworks from our deck. I already told my kids that I expect them here for the 4th next year. They can just stay over an extra day to avoid the crowds.

I don't have specific memories, but I do remember that, as a Girl Scout, I had to walk in a number of parades growing up. And carry a flag often, too. Lots of walking and, as I got older, flag-carrying. In the heat. Not a lot of fun.

When I was in Montana, I was shooting a lot of parades, but I don't think we had a 4th of July parade out there ... but I'm sure there was something I had to cover even on the 4th. I don't remember too many 4th of Julys that I have had off. Most of the time, I've worked because I had to, or more recently, because I got double time or triple time. This year, I asked for it off and here I am at home ... oh well, again, my choice.

Aloha Eileen.....I do seem to remember you working on holidays a lot. I've always worked in places where holidays were not paid overtime, or I would have been doing that too. Walking in a parade holding a flag does NOT sound like fun. No wonder you don't have happy memories of those days.

I'd love to hear more about your Montana days. I love what I've read about Montana! One of my very favorite movies of all time is "The Horse Whisperer" ....filmed in Montana, I believe. Why did you leave? Why did you go there in the first place? My curiosity is always in high gear...and you all would get very tired of me asking questions if I didn't keep it in check. Ha!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

I liked Horse Whisperer too ... "A River Runs Through It" is one of my favorite movies. As to why I moved there ... a job ... same reason I left. The reason I do anything, really ... work!

Karen,
     Thanks for sharing your 4th of July story, it was neat to read your post.  As for me I remember the sparklers we lit and ran around in the dark with them going off. Guess we were easily entertained in Oklahoma..hehe  Happy 4th
suzette50