Properly Celebrating the 4th of July-- Part 4-- Staying At Home

Decided to make our 4th of July observance on Monday, July 5th, an at home one.

Besides, I still have lots of work to do out in the yard and accomplished a lot of it. I worked on the front porch flower bed, front of the house, west side, arboretum and Frances' Back 40.

Not only did I work (and working in the yard is not exactly work to me as I ENJOY it) in the yard, but I also got to enjoy it.

I enjoyed tunes and a couple beers out at Heineman's in the arboretum while talking with the neighbors. Then, I had a couple more beers in the gazebo while enjoying peanuts (Liz gets mad at me when I eat peanuts in the shell in the house. For some reason she says I make a mess). Cool breezes there as well.

Then read the newspaper on the front porch and later had corn on the cob OD (On Deck).

Now, This Is Also a Great Way to Celebrate the 4th of July. --RoadDog

Properly Celebrating the 4th of July-- Part 3-- No Parade for Us, Day After Party, Fireworks

Good old Bob Stroud took the listeners to his Rock and Roll Roots show back 40 years, to July 4, 1970 from 7 to 10 am. Hard to believe it was that long ago.

We tried to go to the parade in Spring Grove, Illinois, and after that to enjoy the festival, but the village was locked down tighter than a drum. You could not approach the parade route no way, no how. It was a case of "You can't get there from here." I'll write more about this later.

More than just a little mad, we headed north into Wisconsin, stopping at the flea market at Wilmot mountain ski hill and lodge (where, I'm happy to report, I didn't buy anything). Then, it was on to Mar's Trading Post in Wilmot for a $1.75 Bloody Mary and $1 pints along with a $1 burger and chips.

Then, back to Kevin and Kelly's for the famed Day-After party to finish off the keg and look out at Fox Lake. We succeeded admirably.

Then home and we had a nice view of Spring Grove's fireworks from our driveway. We can still see it well, but in not too many years, the trees will be too tall.

A Great Third Day of the Country's Birthday. --RoadDog

retirement Q & A: Question: What do retirees call a long lunch. Answer: Normal.

Too Bad About the Fireworks-- Summer 1970 Tomorrow

Well, I guess after 16 years of growing, it should be of no surprise that the trees in our subdivision have really blocked out our view of the fireworks over Fox Lake.

I could see parts of then through one of my trees, but not good enough so, next year, looks like we'll be out on the boat for it.

In that case, there will be no drinking for me that day.


SUMMER 1970

Tomorrow, Bob Stroud should be Time Warping us back to the songs playing on our radios and stereos for July 4, 1970. His Rock and Roll Roots Show is on WDRV, 97.1 and 96.9 FM from 7 to 10 am CSDT. It streams live at www.wdrv.com.

If you're o-l-d like me, this will bring back some memories.

Go, Bob and Boo Trees. --RoadDog


Retirement Q & A: Why are retirees so slow to clean out the basement, attic or garage? Answer: They know that as soon as they do, one of the adult kids will want to store stuff there OR LIVE THERE!!!

Properly Celebrating the 4th of July-- Part 2-- Cheesehead 'Brating, Chain Partyin'

Roday, I again worked in the yard awhile after putting up the flag by the mailbox and an Uncle Sam streamer and Liberty sign.

Enjoyed sitting out on the front porch, what finer way to enjoy the 4th?

Liz and I went to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for their annual parade and had drinks at Main Street Tap and then at Donovan's where we also played NTN with two top twenties in three games.


BACK TO FOX LAKE

Drove back across the border to Fox Lake and went to the festival there before going over to Kevin and Kelly's for a party on the lake and then another party at Rick and Chris' place on the channel where we keep out boat.

We're back home now and in a few minutes I'll be going out on the deck to view the fireworks taking place on Fox Lake.

A Good Second Day of Celebrating a Great Country's Birthday. --RoadDog


Retirement Q & A: Question: What is the common term for someone who continues to work after they are able to retire? Answer: NUTS!!!

Properly Celebrating the 4th of July-- Part 1-- Boating, Palatine

We have reached the 234th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Congratulations USA!!

We licked off our celebration today with boating over to McDonald's in Fox Lake for breakfast, the first time we've done it this year. Enjoyed the meal on the boat and fed the ducks and a large number of Canadian geese who came for the food as well. We had a group of peepers (baby mallards) who were very entertaining.

Did a boat float on Fox Lake until 1 pm, came home, worked in the yard and drove to Palatine, stopping at Half Price Books on US-12 where I bought three double Cds and a book on how celebrities and famous folks died and where they are buried.

Visited the grave of Liz's parents, Frances and Amby Klaus at Memory Garden in Arlington Heights. On the way in, somebody had places a Blackhawk Stanley Cup car flag on one grave. That person must have been a BIG HAWK fan and somewhere must be smiling. Finally.

Not Finished Yet. --RoadDog


Retired Q & A: Question: Why do retirees count pennies? Answer: They are the only ones who have the time.