Happy Fourth of July

Fourth of July Wedding Memories

It was seventy three years ago today. My parents got married on the hottest day of the year in New England. The wedding day was on the Fourth of July because it was the only day that the family could be off work from my grandfather’s grocery store. So whenever this date comes around I think more about my parents wedding anniversary then Independence Day. But this year is different. My mom’s flower girl was my eldest cousin - my mom’s older sister’s first born. We have stayed in touch throughout the years even though she’s several years older. She was also instrumental in helping me plan for the fiftieth wedding anniversary in New England in 1999. None of us lived in New England anymore and she was welcoming in not only offering her house as the venue, but also having a wedding cake ordered that looked exactly like the original. It was probably the last time we saw most of our relatives together in one place. Both of my parents have passed away now. And I’m sad to say that this is the first year my cousin is not with us. She suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at home earlier this year. I had just spoken to her the week before and had an email from her the day before. It’s a bit melancholic to lose family members especially during the weird pandemic years. But I’d like to take the opportunity to remember them all today. What a wonderful holiday it was to celebrate seventy three years ago!

A Toast to My Parent’s Anniversary

It was a very hot July day in Massachusetts when my parents got married over seventy years ago. Since my mom’s family ran a grocery store the only day to have a wedding was on a holiday. So the Fourth of July was not only a national holiday, but a wedding anniversary as well. My parents never did anything special on their anniversary, but it’s was never hard to remember it. We did have a surprise fiftieth anniversary party for them back in New England and it was good to see everyone again. Coincidentally my dad died on Father’s Day - not easy to forget that either. When my mom passed away right before the pandemic in 2020, we didn’t keep much of their belongings. In fact, my mom gave our house to the neighbors who cared for both of my parents over the last ten years. But I did take two of her crystal wine glasses as a keepsake. So yesterday we took out those glasses, poured in our daily Malbec dose, and toasted to my parent’s special day. We are sure there was a great party with all the family and friends who left before us. It’s good to remember occasions like that this and everyone was celebrating with us. Didn’t you hear the fireworks? 

Happy Fourth!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

We heard the story many times. It was hot as hell on July 4, 1949. There was no air conditioning but there was a big block of ice. It was the only day the grocery store family business would be closed. And that was the day my mom married my dad seventy one years ago. Mom passed away in February so this is the first time the holiday passes without both of them. So I ordered anniversary flowers to be delivered to Florida National Cemetery where they are side by side - WWII veterans. I requested a photo because we have not seen mom’s grave stone. Because of construction in the area, the florist was not able to leave the flowers at the site nor take a photo; rather, she left the flowers with the workers to place after they were done for the day. I told her that we were looking forward to seeing the flowers and the head stones. So she said she would try to get out there again to take a photo - hoping the deer didn’t feast on the fresh greens overnight. Today I received a photo of the flowers with my mom’s memorial. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see both my parents together with the flowers in between. I also spoke to the cemetery front desk staff. He said he could also take a photo of the site and send it to me - but I didn’t get it - yet. Since we aren’t planning any trips to Florida in the near future a photo is the best we can do for now. I was really happy to see the flowers and my mom’s final resting place. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. 

Tortilla Coast and Fourth of July Prep

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants is Tortilla Coast. It was two blocks away from our Capitol Hill condo and we usually went on a Sunday evening, and definitely when there were no baseball games scheduled. So we drove in to town on Sunday and took our usual route over Memorial Bridge. Around the Lincoln Memorial the barricades were already up in preparation for the Fourth of July holiday. We parked in our old neighborhood and ended up having the usual fare - spinach quesadilla, burrito, and chips, along with a large strawberry margarita that we shared. Rather than ride back home right away, we drive around the mall to see what else was going on. It’s weird to feel like a tourist rather than a resident. We attended many of the concerts and fireworks displays over the thirteen years we lived in DC. The last few years we would just walk over to the house office building park and watch the fireworks from there rather than battle the crowds. Although seeing the cannon and hearing the symphony play during the fireworks was memorable. As we passed by the Capitol the concert stage was being set up. It’s hard for me to believe I worked at the Library of Congress for ten years! There’s something about Sunday evening in DC - it’s so quiet and peaceful - especially in the late afternoon. As we drove along the GW Parkway in the way home there was a lot of activity on the Potomac River. I’m still glad we moved to Virginia, and happy we can go in to the city when we feel like it - on Sunday evening, or after or before rush hour. 

Happy Fourth!

Smithsonian Folklife Festival - California and Basque

Over the last two weeks or so, the National mall is transforming in to another Smithsonian folklife festival. This year California and Basque innovation and culture will be highlighted. The festival begins tomorrow. It is also the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Because of that the Capitol grounds were again prepared for the concert and fireworks. The perimeter is fenced off for crowd control with only two entrance and exit points. As we were walking about this morning on this very overcast and humid day, the last touches were being put in to place- flowers in pots, instructions for the groups who will be sponsoring and managing the event, putting up the huge BASQUE sign, and providing directions and signage for the new addition at the arts and industries building where crafts and other items will be on display. We think we might wander around there sometime over the next couple of days. The crowds seem to be getting bigger and bigger as the week goes on. It's always a very busy time of year here. My husband loves all this commotion. I'm just not as enthusiastic as he is. But at least we don't have to rely on any transportation to get there, except our feet. 

Fireworks by the House Office Building

It was such an ugly day yesterday that we didn't think we would even see the fireworks. But by 8:30 the rain finally stopped. Instead of walking over to the Capitol Concert on the Mall to hear Barry Manilow (!) we decided to walk to the park right next to the House Office Building. In the distance we could see the Washington Monument. This is the spot for the neighbors - a few steps from your house and far enough away from the crowds among the locals. It was a very different experience because the helicopter was making a constant noise overhead and the oohs and ahhs were much quieter. But we saw a lot of our grandson's old classmates. So I took a few pictures and sent them to him for old times. He and his parents used to come to this place when they lived down the street from us. They moved to Virginia last year. You know you're getting older every time we see him or his friends that are almost as tall as us now. Holidays bring back a lot of memories. That's a good thing.