Here in the United States, we celebrate Independence Day on July Fourth. It’s a big, rollicking, firework shooting, backyard cookout, sort of holiday. My little town of only 5,000 inhabitants has an “Old Home Day” the weekend before the fourth. There’s a parade. With balloons.
A band.
A fire truck (we’ve very proud of our truck and our on-call, volunteer fire fighters.)
There are Minutemen. Behind them are a group of folks dressed up as ticks for “tick awareness.” We’re that sort of town.
Townspeople with vintage cars are encouraged to join the parade. This year my son has the perfect car for the procession.
We also have the perfect parade dog!
I could leave this post at that – with Scooter’s smiling face. I never write about politics on this blog, but read the news. There are tens of millions of people in countries where this sort of parade is unimaginable. Too many live where there is brutality and violence driven by ethnic, tribal and religious zealots. The horrors are hard to fathom from my sweet and safe little town. I am so grateful that I am here. I am so grateful to live in a country where freedoms and tolerance are written into the constitution and those laws are respected and upheld (and even expanded – I’m all for same-sex marriage.) Happy Birthday, America.
Agree – I am grateful too!
Happy 4th! How do you think Tonka would do in a parade? Maybe you’ll ride next year?
Before riding in a parade, he’d need a lot of road work, which I’d rather not do, as so many people in cars don’t know how to drive past horses :( In any event, he wouldn’t like the muskets going off.
what a perfect small town parade
loved the old car what is it?
an thank you for your statement of freedom for ALL !!
It’s a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300TD! I love it too.
That is a kick-ass fire truck for a small town! (fire truck envy :) )
And I, too, am very, very grateful to live in this country. Watching the nightly news has become a gut wrenching ordeal. Will humankind EVER learn? I swear we are some of the dumbest animals on the planet.
Happy Fourth of July, Terry! Hope there’s lots of good food on your table!
Happy 4th to you and your family, Terry.
We had a similar parade a couple of weeks ago – the Hockinson Fun Days Parade, in which my grandson marched in the middle school band. Great fun here in the Pacific Northwest. Looking forward to our first 4th here in WA. Judging from the number of places selling fireworks it should be a loud and sparkling event.
Happy Birthday USA! I love it here!
BTW, I think that’s the most awake I’ve ever seen Scooter!
Happy 4th July Terry! We would love to live in the USA but your government wont let us :o( . Have a lovely day!
It appears you live in the perfect small town! I wish mine held parades. :-)
Love Scooter driving that sweet vintage Benz! And the people dressed as ticks for Lyme awareness.
More pictures of fire trucks, please!
Happy Independence Day everyone! Have fun and be careful.
I am very glad your oldest son is home and your family can be together during this holiday. Carlisle does seem like a great little town. As always, enjoy the pictures and am grateful you share them with us. Happy fourth Little Pond!
PS Scooter seems to be giving us his best smile along with your son. Just love it!
That Car is Fantastic I love old Benz wagons… I have a 1989 300E not a wagon but she is strong and sturdy as could be.
Happy 4th of July America! I love the small town parade pics. Thanks for sharing Terry!
Happy 4th Terry!!!! BTW…are you getting any rain from the hurricane????
I too am SO grateful to live in a county where we are free to have parades like this. I am also grateful to live in a country where people can have a difference of opinion and not go to war over it, as I differ with yours on same-sex marriage, since I am NOT for it. Happy Birthday, USA!!
That’s the wonderful thing – you don’t have to marry a man if you don’t want to. But someone who does want to can have that option.
Happy 4th, God Bless America…..Land that I love…..Stand beside her…..And guide her….through the night with a light from above
Ooopppps I forgot ….who knew Scooter could look so alert! Love the car and Scooter!
Yes, it turns out that Scooter loves cheering crowds. Who knew? :)
Love the awake version of Scooter smiling and happy to part it of all. Your son seems to bring out another side to Scooter. Its absolutely adorable.
Terry & Family: Happy Independence Day! Small town, old-fashioned 4th of July celebrations are true treasures. So glad your town partied early and didn’t have to contend with soggy old Arthur. Blessings to all.
When one watches the evening news and sees what is going on around the world one becomes VERY grateful for living in a free country and EXTREMELY thankful for our diligent military men and women who stand guard.
Terry I too am in favor of same sex marriage, very personal for me.