Fizzled Out Fourth

We visited the Farm for the Forth of July this year as we do every year. The weather the day we arrived (Friday) was gorgeous. The weather the day we left (Sunday) was gorgeous. The weather on Saturday was cold and rainy!

Despite the rain, the parade went on as expected. For a tiny town in the heart of Illinois farming country, they put on a fairly large parade. It lasted about 45 minutes this year. The citizens of the town must save up all year long to provide candy, gobs of candy, for the parade-goers. String Bean stood in the rain, under an umbrella dutifully waving at every float and picking up the handfuls of candy tossed her way. One float full of junior high baseball players chucked candy at us as if were baseballs. Another float had good ole Abe and his wife (in honor of this being his 200th birthday) threw pennies which increased String Bean's life savings from 5 cents to 8 cents!

We were really looking forward to the fireworks display, as we do every year, since the town's display, lasting over an hour, rivals if not beats anything in our hometown. This was going to be String Bean's first fireworks show.

Due to the heavy rain we'd had all day, the fireworks were called off. Apparently the firemen did not feel the could safely get away if something went awry with the fireworks due to the soggy and slick ground where the fireworks are let off. As a sign in one town said, "July 4th has been rescheduled to July 5th." Unfortunately, due to that pesky thing we call employment, we had to leave this afternoon instead of sticking around for the rescheduled July 4th.

I'm hoping someone shoots off (illegal) fireworks tonight so I can feel like our nation's birthday was truly celebrated this year!

The Farm

Photo by Mandie

Every year for Independence day, Mr. Bean and I go to the Farm (his aunt and uncle's house). We enjoy the small town parade and an awesome fireworks show.

We hope String Bean will enjoy playing in the yard with the hose on. We *might* even try the pool!

What are your 4th of July plans?

Star Spangled Banner

15 Star US Flag (adopted by Congress in 1795).
Photo taken in Philadelphia, PA on July 1, 2006.
1st place photo for Patriotic category at the county fair Summer 2007
Photo by Mr. Bean

As our nation's birthday draws near, you certainly will hear your share of patriotic songs. Our national anthem has a unique history. I found this article which is thorough yet brief. Here are some interesting facts I gleaned from it:

• Our national anthem wasn't adopted as such until 1931 thanks to President Herbert Hoover. Now I need to go back and rewatch all the historical movies of the American Revolution and see how many play the Star Spangled Banner which would be historically inaccurate.
  
• The anthem has 4 stanzas. I am not sure if I have heard any except the first!
• The US Code 36 U.S.C. § 301 gives citizens the rules of conduct during the playing of the national anthem.
  
• The anthem has been translated into multiple languages which is fitting since we are a country of immigrants!
  
  

I hope you feel more educated about your American heritage!

Independence Day

Family. Fireworks. Picnics. Parades. If you are lucky, it is really hot out and the sprinklers will be turned on! It isn't just a 3 day weekend. This is the one day a year we celebrate the birth of our country. Happy Birthday, America!

Here are some fun America trivia for you as you prepare for your festivities!

• Besides John Hancock, can you name one of the other signers of the Declaration of Independence? I can! I'm related to John Morton, one of the signers from Pennsylvania.
• Do you know the name of the famous American symbol of freedom across the street from Independence Hall in Philadelphia? I do because my father and grandfather both took their oaths of office for the military there!
• What town has the oldest continuous celebration of Independence Day?
• This year (2009) is the ________ anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
• What year did July 4th become a paid holiday for federal employees?
• Where can you go to view the Declaration of Independence?