Memories of July 4th

Day 18, "Every picture has a story"

I don't need to say much about this picture!!!  In the spring of 1978 Craig, the paper supervisor, came to ask why we had complained about our paper service.  A short time later we had a paper route.  Among the "perks" were plaques, rings, a computer, some profits and as you can see Pioneer Press jackets!  After papers++++++++++++++ and years++++++++ we delivered our last papers July 7, 2007.  In between there were snow storms, firing of me, hiring back of me, way way too many early mornings and the list goes on forever.  A lot of memories, many good and many not so good.  End of story!

We had a great visit with John/Mary and kids yesterday.  I don't know if I like to see those kids as Henry is now WAY taller than Grandpa!  I do have him in weight👎.

I have some memories of July 4th:

• July 4th, 1966 I rode my motorcycle all day in the hills to the south of the farm.  I know I stopped at Roy Lake and at Buffalo Lake as well as others.  It was a good 4th.
• There was more than one July 4th where Gary P, Arnie P and Jack N teed it up on my golf course most of the afternoon.  I was stuck at home with NO transportation so why not watch them.  And of course Arnie always won!
• Way way back when most of my siblings were still home there were picnics at the lake.  Mom would pack sandwiches and it was a fun afternoon by and in the water.  Of course we had to abide by Mom's rule of NO swimming for an hour (maybe half an hour?) after we ate because we would get cramps and die!  I do remember sneaking into the water early and for sure never getting cramps.
• In high school there were more than one 4th when John and or Ronald had their boats on the lake and we would water ski.  Look Mom, one ski!  At one of those days I skied pretty much all around the lake.  Today, the lake is for fishing.  No boating and therefore no fun.
• There was the 4th when all the family and Josh, a friend from across the street, drove to the state capitol grounds to watch fireworks.  As we drove home the boys stuffed tissue in their nose and claimed, as we drove on Snelling Ave, that it was smelling ave!  What the heck, they were boys!
• I could not write about the 4th without talking about the "black cat firecrackers" and also the fun fun "cap guns" that we could shoot Indians with!  NO bottle rockets or such for the Lees.
• One for the present.  A few years ago Terry and I were on a camping trip along the North Shore to take in Isle Royale  National Park.  We camped in Grand Portage.  We we were about ready to fall asleep in our camper when we heard noise.  We opened the camper door and watched fire works explode over Lake Superior.  It was grand.

It seems like I said this before but I don't know.  A couple days ago Terry bid farewell to her first ever road bike.  She rode it a lot in the summer of 2010.  It had not been ridden for several years so it was time but still memories were strong and the good-bye was sad.  The bike alone with a toilet and an AC have gone so I may not dislike Craig's List so much now.  In an hour someone is coming to look at the vanity and top.  MAYBE another "thing" will bid farewell.  I can only hope at this time.

As for today, it will be quiet.  Maybe no company. For sure no black cats, no caps, no sparklers and I think no fireworks displace.  Maybe some work will be done and then a refreshing drink with a burger and brat left over from yesterday.  Having said that I am content and have no complaints.  I just "bottom upped" my FP so will sign off.