Independence Day

Photo courtesy Flickr

Last winter local news announced that the commercial sponsor of July fireworks had withdrawn its support because of the state of the economy. This week local news announced that the citizenry is sponsoring fireworks itself.

One of the lovely surprises of city life has been what happens on summer holiday week-ends. The crowding and hassle shifts to beaches and freeways, leaving traffic lights whose only function is ornament. I’d still avoid the Market and intense entertainment venues downtown, but here in the ‘hood all is quieter than in the national parks.

Our first house was a few blocks east in a neighborhood of people not far from their country origins. Fourth of July was sacred, celebrated with family, superb old-fashioned food, and radio.

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