July 4th, Past and Present

July 4th usually means a barbecue, fireworks, family, a day off. Yes, it was a day off for me today. I did not go to Gridley. I can't make plans at the last minute so yesterday I made my plans and they did not include going to Gridley. I am sad about that, truly.

So let's go into July 4th ramblings of the past.

July 4, 1971 when I was 14, my Grampy Schafer died. We were on the road to pick my brother up at camp and did not hear about it until we got home early that evening. He was the first grandparent to die that I had memories of, that I really knew. My other grandfather died right before my first birthday.

Typically what I have done on July 4th is what everyone else does although the last couple of years it has been in Gridley with Susan and her family. Before that, the first year I started living by myself (2004) I did absolutely nothing. Kind of like what I was doing for all the holidays. Just another day off.

I watch "Yankee Doodle Dandy" every year. I was desperately searching the channels for it starting at 7:30am this morning. I see it is on at 11pm, just a few minutes from now, so I will grab some caffiene and stay up to see it. And no, taping it and watching it later just won't do. I have to watch it live.

I had dinner tonight with David and Dad and we watched "Jaws" which is David's 4th of July tradition. I also bought myself a stand fan for the livingroom since it's supposed to hit triple digits (up to 110 Wednesday) and I need extra air.

I remember what July 4th truly stands for. Having been brought up on the east coast where access to historical places and memories is easier than in California, especially when you're talking about the founding of the nation and our freedom, means I enjoyed many wonderful experiences my children never had. I cried at Valley Forge. And at Gettysburg. I held my breath at Plymouth Rock and stood on the green, green grass of Mount Vernon and stared in awe at the beautiful site. And at Monticello. Never have I not cried at being near Boston. Concord. Old Ironsides. Washington DC had an effect on me but nothing quite like my good old New England.

Never take your freedom for granted. I don't. I vote. My ancestors worked hard to make sure that I could. Men AND women.

Before the day closes I will do what I always do - include the soldiers in my prayers. My dear son-in-law was one of those over there for a while. Just because he's home, safe, doesn't mean I have forgotten the others. I haven't.

Sometimes we need to stop and think about what the holiday really means. Memorial Day. July 4th. Labor Day. Thanksgiving. Christmas. Think. Feel. Remember.

Guess that's why I have those two stones on my desk at work... not just about my work but everything - REMEMBER and COMPASSION. I try to live my life like that each and every day.

What does that song say... "Life is but a dream, sweetheart."

Six words.

Easy Addiction - Six Words

This is technically not craft related although writing is, in fact, a craft. I got involved in a swap that was based on the principal of telling bits and pieces of your story (or a story) in a sentence of six words. For instance, here's one I put on my list of "Six Word Memories".

Fire destroys homes, not a family.

And...

I miss my Shannon every day.

So this, obviously, got me thinking. Not only that, now I can't seem to stop thinking in 6 words pieces. I find myself thinking of things in 6 words or less (but not blogging in 6 word sentences as you can see!).

On a bad day:
Life sucks and then you die.

On a good day:
It's good to be above ground.

On me:
All my life I've been short.
I'm short, round, generous and loving.
When you're cruel I bleed inside.
(or from the title of a poem I wrote... I bleed inside, the wound unhealed.)
I'm as soft inside as outside.

Anyway, this is a wonderful way to not only exercise my brain but also my heart and creative talents and I really like the necessity of really thinking about what to say to get the point across.

I urge anyone reading this to give it a try. You might find it's an easy addiction, too.

Summer in Chico

Yes, it's hot. The only reason it hasn't been hotter is that there is so much smoke hanging over the valley from the 31 fires going on in this county that the heat can't get in. I will be glad when the smoke has cleared. I can't stand how hard it is to breathe. And this morning even though they say not to, I had to open the front door to let in a breeze. No fresh air gets to me after a while.

I have been busy completing swap-bot swaps and now I have to get myself in gear to finish up a doily I am making for another swap. Yeah, I know, that kind of talk belongs in my Crafty Rantings blog. But this is what I've been doing. I will try to post there before I have to go to work.

I am looking forward to having Friday off. I may be going to Gridley to spend the 4th with my second family. Saturday I will be having dinner with David and Dad. I admit I love the Saturday tradition. I am going to see about making something to take and maybe that will be chicken again or a dessert. I have to see towards the end of the week.

It is just about time to start shopping for airline tickets to New Hampshire for October. I will go looking and then consult with Mom and Den and if I find something close to affordable, I will book the tickets, put in for vacation, notify Torse, Bev and Jeannie and start putting together the plans. I know it's early but it will give me something to look forward to and get me through the summer.

Jo mentioned going overnight to Reno and I am super excited about that. That could be a ton of fun! I hope we can fit it into our schedules. I always love spending time with my best friend. I enjoy how we can sit in a room and not talk and be comfortable or how we can talk about anything.

I admit that I am looking forward to being able to get into a pool on Friday. If everyone is there I will get to see all the kids and that is always fun. Isabelle's birthday party was yesterday but I just had other plans and didn't go. First time in a couple of years that I have missed Miss Isabelle's birthday party. Ouch.

Matt babbled to me on the phone last night. So did Andrew! Den brought the phone over to Andrew and had him say "Hi Aunt Lynn" and surprisingly, I could understand his attempt. The "hi" was definitely clear. Matt would rather push buttons. He muted me which was interesting. Probably something his mother wished she could have done back when she was small and I was telling her not to do something.

I am off to post to Crafty Rantings. Hopefully this week I will get to spend more time with my friends. I have been kind of a hermit lately. Too hot to stay home and be a hermit.

Summer in Chico. Makes it hard to knit or crochet. Or, lately, breathe!