An uneventful holiday

America's Independence Day holiday is today.

The 4th of July in our country is traditionally celebrated with large family and friends' picnics, grilling hot dogs and feasting on potato salad, baked beans and plenty of lemonade and desserts. This is a day of fun, laughter and relaxation, perhaps a get-away to the lake for boat riding and tubing. Taking in the local parade, kids catching the candy thrown by the various floats, politicians shaking hands, handing out flyers, firetrucks all polished and blaring their horns and sirens as children cover their ears.

Evenings are the best part. Elaborate fireworks are enjoyed complete with ooohs and aaahs as the colorful flashes light up the sky as you sit on a blanket or a lawn chair at the local park (as mosquitos feast on your body, if you live in Minnesota). You might come back home to build a small fire and roast marshmallows for S'mores.

Gooey marshmallows lightly browned over the fire, then pressed over a Hershey bar on half of a graham cracker, then covered by the other graham cracker half. Is there anything better in the whole world? I say no.

Or following the day's activities, you just fall into bed exhausted but happy at all the fun enjoyed.

Well, not this year.

We're left with memories of 4th of July festivities of bygone years. Actually, only last year.
 
This year, like most summer activities we're accustomed to, Independence Day is going largely unnoticed, uncelebrated and sadly quiet. Oh, there are a few things going on with small family gatherings, a few lakes are sporting boat parades, or perhaps if you're lucky enough to have a firepit, some weenie and marshmallow roasts.

But very unlike all other years, we have not heard even a single firecracker go off in our neighborhood. Although those with pets are happy, we are missing even the annoying pop-pop sound of amateur fireworks, sparklers and firecrackers going off into the night as we attempt to sleep. For days before. Tonight I would welcome the sound. 

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We're all missing our local concerts in the park, day camps, town festivals and even joining our neighbors on their porch swing. We wonder when this will end.

But I hope you are finding even some small way to celebrate today. America is still celebration-worthy, despite the corona virus closing everything down and the violence headlining the evening news. Many have fought for the freedom we enjoy to celebrate, or not celebrate, the way we choose. Many don't have the same privilege.

As for us, we are content to be in our air conditioned house in this hot and humid day. Doing whatever we choose to do. For me, that means a luxurious day of cross-stitching. For hubby, a nice afternoon nap. Something on the grill for dinner. Ice cream topped with fresh strawberries.

Happy Independence Day to you, whatever your day brings!🎇

As always, thanks for reading and allowing me to share my random thoughts.

Christmas and cactus

Since this is our first holiday season in Arizona, we were wondering what it would be like.

No snow. No icicles. No Parkas. No winter boots, mufflers, and fleece-lined mittens. Surely it would be so different.

Well, we've discovered it is....and it isn't.

People are out decorating their houses in grand style. Icicle lights, twinkle lights, wire reindeer, Santas, angels and snowmen, all lit up at dusk. The evening news on television features houses not to be missed when you're out and about at night looking for dazzling holiday light displays.

Malls are decorated with giant Christmas trees. Holiday music is playing everywhere from grocery stores to department stores to post offices. Shopping specials are offered everywhere.

Eggnog is on the grocery store shelves, along with red and green sprinkles for cookies, candied fruits, pecans, specialty bread mixes and holiday cookie cutters in star, reindeer, gingerbread men and tree shapes.

Toy drives are being held. The Nutcracker Suite ballet is performing at the Mesa Arts Center. Holiday baking is going on in kitchens everywhere.

Just like home in Minne-snow-ta.

Except the twinkle lights are wrapped around palm trees. Wreaths are draped around Saguaro cactus plants. Holiday shopping is done in short sleeves and Capri pants. Christmas trees are all artificial. Outdoor decorating is done leisurely, with bare hands.

Neighbors are greeting one another stringing outdoor lights, without frost coming out of their mouths. Baking is done with patio doors open so all the aromas drift into your house, providing inspiration to get going yourself.

On our block, each house has a wooden Santa standing in front. So when you drive down the street, you are greeted by twenty Santas waving at you.

This is our own Santa.

And our snowman sits in our rock alongside our home.

So you see why Christmas in Arizona is at once the same and then again different than Christmas in Minnesota.

It is still the same special, magical time of year when spirits are kinder and gentler, and where the birth of the Newborn Babe of Bethlehem is celebrated.

Let it begin. Both here in Arizona, and wherever this season finds you.