and no apologies!  [this is from our own newsletter, July 2004]

As the 4th of July approaches, we reflect on what it means to us. Subsequently this issue contains a few anecdotes and thoughts past and present regarding patriotism and July 4th celebrations.

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“I remember picnics on the beach, with hot dogs and Campfire marshmallows roasted over an open fire. Campfire brand marshmallows still have the same scent when a new bag is opened! Takes a person back in that funny way scents can do.” We had a discussion the other day about how different marshmallows were ‘back then’. Campfire ones came in a box, two layers but not very many. They were much firmer than they are now, and when cooking them we had competitions to see how many times you could skin a marshmallow. A careful roaster could easily manage 5 skins. You can’t do that with the newer ones – any of you readers do that?

“I also remember having great fireworks that actually went WAY up into the air and one year we had some that had little parachutes that came out of the rocket and fluttered to the ground. I remember that one of us was always the Queen of the Fourth of July, although I never remember it being me! 🙂 :)”, says Ruth. Here Ruth pulls Nancy on our 4th of July ‘float’, the only Queen picture we seem to have.

I am very thankful for the freedom we enjoy in this great country. We tend to take it for granted until we see pictures of folks in other countries where they have no freedom. We could have been born there and maybe some of us were and came to America for the freedom it affords us. WE have the right and freedom to go out and vote for our leaders and I say we all need to get out and do that very thing.

I think it is good that we, as Americans, take the time to celebrate the 4th with family and friends because we can. In some countries there is no celebration of any kind. We are lucky.

A freezing Fourth of July in Idaho! From Ruth

Some years back when we were leasing and living on a ranch way out in the Southwest corner of Idaho, we invited family to come stay for the Fourth of July weekend. It was over a 100 mile trip for all of them and some much further, plus the last 50 miles were dirt road. So, everyone was to stay a couple nights at least.

It had been beautiful weather and promised to remain so. We had planned a big feed and then fireworks out in the green hay meadow, near the river (for safety sake), that evening.

We all got up the morning of the fourth, ready for the big day’s event, all ready to deck out in summer clothes, only to find it had frozen in the wee hours of the morning! What a surprise! The weather did warm up for the day and we had a terrific time, but had to don coats, scarves, hats and gloves for the fireworks that night! They were beautiful, though! [Mom emulating Statue of Liberty at the 45 Ranch.]

So, the next time someone says…”That’s as likely to happen as frost in July” well, look out ‘cuz it does happen and not just in the Northern states! Let’s hope this Fourth of July in Eastern Oregon, is not that cold!!