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The 4th of July 2024

A meeting with a 46-year medallion, a parade, brisket tacos, cards, and at home fireworks

By Denise E LindquistPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 3 min read
The 4th of July 2024
Photo by Clément M. on Unsplash

Our granddaughter spent the night of July 3rd with us. I woke with no covers as she rolled over and took all of the covers. She slept with me, and Grandpa was in the recliner. We just got back from camping out of town and she wanted to see her duck, Salsa.

Her parents were going out to dinner with co-workers, and she was staying with us. By bedtime, she was crying as she missed her duck.

I think she was just tired, but Grandpa felt bad for her and suggested she sleep with me rather than in the guest bedroom. Better no covers than her sleeping across the pillows as she did when she was younger.

On the fourth of July, we waited for a sister friend who was coming in from out of town for our 4th of July festivities. We forgot about the huge construction project going in just down the road. My sister was later than expected due to that.

Our granddaughter needed to be at the parade launching place to get ready to decorate, get in line, and be ready to throw candy. Once we dropped her off, we proceeded to our meeting.

At our meeting, there was a 46-year medallion given to someone who has had a great life. She was in recovery as she had a problem in her teens into her early 20s and she is now only 64 years old.

Then we went to our daughter's family's second parade for the day. It was supposed to start at 2:00. We thought we were getting there early to get a good seat but it had already started. Even though it was short for us it was fun!

Grandchildren were throwing candy in the parade.

The two grands threw out all of the candy. $500. was their budget and most of it went. And if not at the parade, then right after as we could tell the kids had plenty of sugar. Grandpa's job later was to take them out on the 4-wheelers to tire them out.

After the parade, the kids brought over the fixings for brisket tacos. Delicious! Highly recommend these tacos. Dessert was a definite no after all the candy consumed by the grandchildren.

Four of us played cards while the kids were 4-wheeling. A game called Tick. It was especially fun for me as I rarely win and I won both games. My daughter will always post scores when she wins but never when others win. So, I posted our scores on our family group, and now here.

I won! The lowest score wins, as you get a minus 15 points every time you Tick! Authors photo.
Authors photo.

Right after cards, there was a fireworks display in our yard. Some were better than others. No loud noises, only color, and flash. My daughter and her husband lite them. The kids stood back until the sparklers and swords came out. There was a sword for the two grands and one for Grandpa. Fun, fun for everyone.

Authors photo.

It was an enjoyable day for all. I love it when my sister comes and spends the night. It is usually one night. She says she has to get home to tend to her yard and garden. It could have something to do with our murphy bed in the spare bedroom, with the not-so-comfy camper mattresses!

Because I heard her repeating me saying that we have 27 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren that we want to discourage from moving in with us, I think she somehow got the idea the bed was meant to do just that. Therefore, one night is about right for her.

Next time I will give her the choice of sleeping with me and John can sleep on the recliner. Or she can sleep in our bed, and John and I can sleep on the murphy bed.

Anyway, another great 4th of July.

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About the Creator

Denise E Lindquist

Retired, working part-time as a Native American culture consultant. I have an MSE, and an ABD. I write on Vocal, and Facebook. Poetry, non-fiction mostly, and working on fiction. Wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

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    Written by Denise E Lindquist