“One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, One nation evermore.” (Oliver Wendell Holmes)
Do you make it a point to see fireworks somewhere every year on the Fourth of July? We used to always take the kids to see fireworks. Long ago when drive-in movies were still popular, the drive-ins would put on a fireworks show along with the movies on the Fourth. We did that one year when my daughter was a toddler. She did not like the booms and hid her face. No oohing and aahing for her that year. It was just loud noise she didn’t like. But as the years passed she became more appreciative of the exploding colors. Once we went to Cincinnati to a ballgame and saw them shoot off fireworks over the river. Those were great. Our town puts on a show every year and sometimes we’ve watched those from my son’s driveway. A good way to enjoy fireworks and the grandkids too.
But tonight, I’m watching fireworks out the window of my office while I’m typing this with Frankie hiding out under my chair because of the booms. A neighbor down the road puts on a major show for his family and friends and I get to enjoy the fireworks too since shows in the sky are free to all near enough to see. I went outside to watch them, but my husband wasn’t interested enough to come with me. So I came back in where I can enjoy them out the window without the hum of mosquitoes in my ears and Frankie can lie on my feet and feel safe from the booms.
America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination. (Harry S. Truman)
So why do we shoot off all these fireworks to celebrate our country’s birthday? That could be because John Adams wanted us to. Before the Declaration of Independence was even signed, he was ready to celebrate our new country with festivities that included fireworks. In a letter to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776, he wrote that America’s independence should be commemorated “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
He got his wish when the first commemorative Independence Day fireworks were set off the next year on July 4, 1777. The Pennsylvania Evening Post wrote that in Philadelphia, “The evening was closed with the ring of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” The paper noted that “Everything was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal.” That same year, fireworks also lit up the sky in Boston over the common. By 1783 a large variety of fireworks were available to the public. And we’ve been firing them up ever since to celebrate Independence Day. So happy Fourth of July. Hope you enjoyed celebrating America’s birthday.
Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. (Abraham Lincoln)
Make this Fourth of July memorable by counting your blessings and truly appreciating your freedom. (Author unknown)
E-book sales still going on for Angel Sister and for the Hidden Springs mysteries, Murder at the Courthouse, Murder Comes by Mail, and Murder Is No Accident. Plus a lot is going on with the release of River to Redemption. Reviews are showing up in blogs and on Amazon and other internet book sites. Hope you’ll want to read the story too. I’ll be having my local Hometown Book Party on July 15 at 2:30 p.m. so if you live near by, come on out and celebrate with me. We won’t have fireworks, but there might be chocolae. Details on my Events page. And if I can be mysterious enough, I’ll start a mystery photo game here on Sunday.
As always, thanks for reading.
Comments 16
Dear Ann:
My first time to post a comment, but I enjoyed your sweet summer memories and especially the history lesson about the firing of fireworks. Since my husband and I have retired to Meridian, MS, we have enjoyed the beautiful display each July 4th at Bonita Lakes. They are always preceded with music from local groups. A snow cone was also a delight this year. Blessings!!!
Author
So glad you decided to share a comment, Evelyn. I enjoy hearing from readers. A snow cone! I haven’t had one of those in forever, but I remember how you can suck the sweet juice out of the ice and if you don’t eat it in a hurry, the paper cone starts dripping sticky everywhere. 🙂 Sounds like you have a good time on the Fourth. Maybe next you should get a funnel cake and get confectionery sugar all over your clothes. I got one of those last year for my grandkids and we had sugar everywhere, but it was yummy.
Hope all is well with you. Have not seen a comment from you since I posted my last comment. Have a beautiful weekend. God bless you.
Author
Thanks for the great comments about River to Redemption, Karen. Sorry that I’m slow responding. It’s been a busy weekend. I’ve been trying to catch up after I sent out a newsletter last week. I try to respond to those who send me messages, but it takes a while after I do a newsletter with a giveaway. I enjoy hearing from readers, but responding can keep me busy. I ‘m always happy to see your comments here too. They keep me encouraged while trying to come up with new blogs. And I appreciate you reading my book. I like how you tell what you liked about the book without giving away any spoilers. I’m glad you liked my characters. Louis with his “pray believing” was an inspiration. I haven’t checked out the reviews online. Did you post one anywhere else?
Hope you have a beautiful Sunday. The day is starting out lovely here.
I’m just glad you and your family are okay! I posted on my Facebook page. I’m not real active online. Where else can I tell about this fantastic book? I’m now reading Phoebe’s Light by Kathleen Wood’s Fisher that you reviewed in the front of the book. I’m hoping that I will be able to read more about Adria, Ruth and Louis in the future. Thank you, again!
Author
I did read Suzanne Woods Fisher’s book. Suzanne has a lot of reading fans and she writes a good story, Karen. A way you can share about a book you like is to post reviews on Amazon or Barnes & Noble or Christianbook.com. You can always tell your reading friends about books you like and suggest a book or author for your local library to consider when they do their book orders. But just talking about the book to friends is a good way to promote a book.
Who knows? Maybe Adria will find another story to tell.
😃 I hope so! 😃
Thank you for the suggestions.
I don’t know how you find time to do all you do!
And a belated Happy Fourth to you and your family, Ann! Thank you for the tidbits of history and the quotes from some of our historical figures. I have finished River to Redemption and hated, as usual with your books, to see it end! Your character development is amazing; the historical accounts made me feel as if I were experiencing them first hand. From tears to smiles back to tears and smiles again and rooting for Adria in her gallant and brave attempt to free Louis I had a hard time getting anything else accomplished until I finished the last chapter. This is definitely a “must read!” Thank you, again, for sharing your God given gift! (will there be another in the future?)
Thank you for such a beautiful and thought provoking Fourth of July blog post,Ann! As I type this comment on my phone,I am simultaneously reading “River to Redemption” on my iPad! I’m also loving your latest story,Ann! Your sweet portrayal of Adria, Louis, and Aunt Tilda has me hooked! 😊 Great job, friend! ✨ Psalm 47✨
Author
Glad you liked the 4th post, Emily, and even happier that you are loving my book, River to Redemption. I appreciate you reading my books and letting me know when you like the stories and why. Thanks for being a reading friend.
I agree; I enjoy reading about historical facts like this, too. Thanks!
Author
Glad you enjoyed the Fireworks history lesson, Kathy.
What a nice post for our country’s birthday! I absolutely love reading historical trivia.
I didn’t go to a fireworks display this year, but there were plenty of sparkling booms across the lake from me. Ollie spent the evening with his pal down the road and visiting pooch friends. He doesn’t mind the big bangs, but he hates those whistling bottle rockets. I guess he thinks there’s safety in numbers, because he chose to stay with them, rather than come home with me.
In years past, I enjoyed visiting my aunt in Warsaw during their annual Riverfest activities. Fireworks are truly beautiful over the river.
Have a great day Ann. Thanks again for the enlightening post. 🙂
Author
Glad you enjoyed the post, Lavon, and that Ollie didn’t mind the booms. Frankie wasn’t quite as nervous as when it’s actually thundering, but he stayed by my feet. We weren’t near enough to hear the whistlers, but I can see why they might hurt a dog’s ears.
Fireworks over the year just carry an extra boom and beauty value.
Love your 4th of July post with all the history, recollections, and quotes. Thanks and happy Independence Day to you.
Author
Glad you enjoyed the post, Doris. I had never read that about John Adams before I did a little research last night, but it’s neat that we’ve always celebrated independence with fireworks.