Wild Goose Chase
July 4, 2003:
Just moved into our new house. We have no idea where to see the fireworks. We walk around the corner and down two blocks to the elementary school, where we're sure we'll see some action. It's 9:45, it's hot, we have our 11 month old with us. We see nothing, but do come away covered in mosquito bites. Spend the next three days worried about West Nile disease.
July 4, 2004
This year, we're smarter. We head out for a drive along the lake, towards the pier. We're positive there will be an awesome firework display on the beach, near the carousel. It's 9:45, the air conditioner is blasting, and we have our 23 month old with us. We see nothing, because there are no fireworks on the pier that year. By the time we figure this out and head home, it's too late to see anything, anyway.
July 4, 2005
We spend the day partying with the neighbors, in an alcohol haze. Jeepers, it's hot. At 9:30, we all clammer down the street, down the hill and back up another hill, to the day care center, where we have a fabulous view of the fireworks. Our almost-three-year-old is amazed, and exclaims, "That's incwebable!" after each glittering burst.
July 4, 2006
Our last Fourth of July in the States. The babies didn't nap today, so I stay home. My husband plans on taking our older son back to the daycare to see the fireworks. A neighbor sees me outside and tells me that a security guard from the high school (three blocks away) has opened the gates to the football field. This guarantees prime viewing, so off everyone goes. Home alone, at 9:45, I wander outside to feel the cool night air. I look to my left, and discover a space in the branches of a tree, and find that the best place ever to watch the fireworks, the clearest view I've had after all this time searching, is right in my own driveway. After the show, I wander back into the house, shaking my head and muttering to myself about the irony of it all.
July 4, 2003:
Just moved into our new house. We have no idea where to see the fireworks. We walk around the corner and down two blocks to the elementary school, where we're sure we'll see some action. It's 9:45, it's hot, we have our 11 month old with us. We see nothing, but do come away covered in mosquito bites. Spend the next three days worried about West Nile disease.
July 4, 2004
This year, we're smarter. We head out for a drive along the lake, towards the pier. We're positive there will be an awesome firework display on the beach, near the carousel. It's 9:45, the air conditioner is blasting, and we have our 23 month old with us. We see nothing, because there are no fireworks on the pier that year. By the time we figure this out and head home, it's too late to see anything, anyway.
July 4, 2005
We spend the day partying with the neighbors, in an alcohol haze. Jeepers, it's hot. At 9:30, we all clammer down the street, down the hill and back up another hill, to the day care center, where we have a fabulous view of the fireworks. Our almost-three-year-old is amazed, and exclaims, "That's incwebable!" after each glittering burst.
July 4, 2006
Our last Fourth of July in the States. The babies didn't nap today, so I stay home. My husband plans on taking our older son back to the daycare to see the fireworks. A neighbor sees me outside and tells me that a security guard from the high school (three blocks away) has opened the gates to the football field. This guarantees prime viewing, so off everyone goes. Home alone, at 9:45, I wander outside to feel the cool night air. I look to my left, and discover a space in the branches of a tree, and find that the best place ever to watch the fireworks, the clearest view I've had after all this time searching, is right in my own driveway. After the show, I wander back into the house, shaking my head and muttering to myself about the irony of it all.
posted by The June Cleaver Diaries at 7:11 PM
5 Comments:
There really is no place like home, huh? Poignant and sweet post.
That was bittersweet and very well-written.
Aw, June--that is amazing! Do they have fireworks in Canada on Canada Day?
My son can teach you the lyrics to Oh Canada. He's such a hockey junkie, that he's got that down. Perhaps it will come in handy while waving the red leaf flag on some holiday where they celebrate their independence from the Moose or something. And, once you leave the U.S. you can come back and be a real live tourist on the 4th.
Wow.
Our fireworks were blocked out by thick fog. Here's a tip for Canadian living from when my family owned a house on the Canadian side of Lake Eerie. The best fireworks are at Niagara Falls and they have them on the 4th AND on Canada Day (and the Canadian side is prettier).
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