It's been four weeks since we got the news about SparkPeople.com being in its final days. Are we getting settled in for what our plans are for continuing to Spark beyond that? I think I'm close... I will be blogging here, since blogging is a big part of keeping myself motivated. I've settled in to using Cronometer for tracking of both food and activity, because for me, it seems simple and easy.
This morning a friend shared a music link that has become part of her Independence day tradition. Fanfare for the Common Man This made me think of my own holiday music traditions. So I played music to start my day. And I mused over how it is that a piece by a Russian composer commemorating Napoleon invading and facing Moscow's resistance came to represent the US Independence day for me. It's all Arthur Fiedler's fault. 1812 Overture - Tchaikovsky
It is an annual tradition with me to get out the morning after the pops and bangs and take a walk in the neighborhood, and see the source of those pops and bangs... and the garbage it left behind. Normally this would be on July 5th, but to be honest, it works on July 4th, too.
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The park is decked in flags, and I was not the only one out enjoying the cool of the morning:
The welcome flag was out at one home. 
I came home and put out my own US Flag for the day. 
Celebrate safely, those of you who are here in the US! And everyone, wherever you sit in the world, be kind to yourself and others, this one and only Sunday, July 4, 2021 we'll ever get.
LIFE is good.💖💥✨
Love your music selections! Lots of flags here, too. Had some fireworks last night (neighbors) but the village has cancelled it for this year. I'm ok w/that.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful INdependence day!
Hugs
The first is from akaStrongDawg! The second was my own from childhood. Hope you have a great Independence day, too.
Deletehappy 4th hugs
ReplyDeleteThanks, same to you!
DeleteHappy 4th! Individual fireworks are prohibited here because of the fire danger. I grew up with fireworks stands Red Devil as I recall. I remember sparklers as a little girl but they phased out. Some people bring them in from Mexico and take a risk. We have large community displays near water with the fire department standing by.
ReplyDeleteOur dog isn’t disturbed by the fireworks but dislikes all the people walking by the house.
Sorry for the double post. Replies still crashing. Working on it.
DeleteIt's OK, gave me a chance to experiment with "delete" a comment... that's a rude message it gives, though "removed by a blog administrator"! Yikes. I want to put a big message on saying, "she didn't do anything wrong!" "Technical issues, just trying to tidy up". Happy 4th to you, as well!
DeleteHuzzah, when I say "delete forever" which sounds pretty harsh, too... the rude message goes away, too. LOL!
DeleteWow! There was plenty of "celebrating" your way! We've had bangs off and on today, but fortunately I hadn't heard anything last night. Maybe I was too tired to hear it and with the fan going... Hope your day has been a fabulous 4th!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, they do like to burn their money in the suburbs here! I heard it but didn't go out to watch last night. Tonight, I might, as it's starting up again.
DeleteThose are both awesome music selections. My middle school music students love Fanfare for the Common Man and the story behind its composition.
ReplyDeleteNothing like good music to put one in a mood for a holiday celebration!
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ReplyDeleteLove to see those conscientious neighbours putting their debris where it belongs!! And love the doggie in the stroller!! Nothing we wouldn't do for our doggies!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I got a good shot of some neighbors and the protective gear they put on their "kids in training" setting the fireworks off, that will go in today's blog... maybe.
DeleteSo true about doing anything for our beloved pups... but you have to admit, it would be hard to stroll Henry or Carl around... tiny breeds, they are not!
Thank you for the Spark “bridge” you are providing for folks over there waiting for the end.
ReplyDeleteI will keep my account open until almost the end, but watching one page after another go dark is very sad. Like the band member on the Titanic watching the lifeboats leave and people jumping overboard. OK, that sounded a bit extreme. I’m very introspective this morning.
I won’t be on SparkAmerica (my own reasons) but I will be here and using the FREE tools available elsewhere. There are trackers, recipes, articles, videos all over the Internet.
Joe and I attended a get together last night with Jeannie’s in-laws, our first in over a year – all fully vaccinated folks. It was nice but also sad that Jeannie’s dental problems didn’t allow her to attend after she convinced me to do so.
Note: My earlier comment was deleted because I hadn’t finished it yet.
FYI... it automatically sent me your unfinished comment and I wondered, so thanks for the note!
DeleteI agree that it's sad watching people leave the "boat". It sounded like a thunderstorm last night, and I'll probably post a little introspective in a bit, once it's soaked in. I've already been out in the neighborhood doing my inspection of the debris... OMG there were some cannons out there!
So happy for those first all-vaccinated gatherings! Sorry Jeannie couldn't make it, and I sure hope her dental issues get resolved soon! May you have a calm day today, filled with the love of family!
I am curious about protective gear on the kids in training.
ReplyDeleteIt was louder longer last night (the 4th) than the night before - but the night before was higher-decibel, I am guessing from the large community display which really isn’t all that far away.
Yesterday I watched a few families walking in the neighborhood and provided my own script - What kind of country celebrates by making their environment sound like war? Go figure.
They had FACE SHIELDS on the kids! And for that matter, their trainer adult. See the photo on FB where I captioned it "Protective gear. It's not just for hospitals and healthcare workers." I will likely cross post that photo in today's blog, here.
DeleteI ended up coming in and buttoning up before it really got dark, but it was definitely LOUD as I was falling asleep.
Happy Independance Day. In our small town there are both fireworks on the 1st for Canada Day and then on the 4th too for Americans who are here. The city of Sarnia puts on their display on the 1st and then watches across the river at the city that does theirs in the States. I think it is a wonderful show of neighbours being neighbours.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a case of "good borders make good neighbors"? Anyway, I've kind of "adopted" a couple of the Canadian and UK holidays... because one can never have too many! For instance, who else in the US celebrates "Boxing Day" (and understands its origins)... I found that out through my Canadian connections on Spark. And I really like extending the Thanksgiving season from when Canada celebrates up to and including when the US does.
DeleteNo noise here ... kinda sad.
ReplyDeleteAwwww! Well, we spent about 15 years in upstate NY, where the fireworks were illegal. I missed it more than my son, as he wasn't exposed to fireworks until he was in about 6th grade and went to spend the 4th with a kid out in the country where they didn't CARE about following the letter of the law...
DeleteHappy to share them, they help solidify the memory, if you know what I mean. I'm glad you're over here blogging, too!
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