It’s a tad late, but there’s always a little recovery needed from a holiday.  Here’s my “Happy 4th of July” post.  Feeling a tad homesick after a busy busy June, I decided to head home for the three day weekend.  The 4th holds a special place for me.  Nostalgia for summer’s past, BBQ-ing, water balloon fights, decorating bikes with streamers, and, of course, sparklers!

Growing up on a cul-de-sac meant kickball games in the street, hide and seek, hop-scotches that stretched around the block, and in general running around the street with the neighbor kids ’til the street lights came on, which signaled it was time to go in, or mom would come looking for you.  Perhaps most memorable of all, it meant an annual block party for the 4th of July.  Years ago the parents would pitch it to pay to block the street off, then I think they realized everyone who lived there was out, so there was really no point.  The 4th was almost as exciting as my birthday, at least that’s always how I felt when I woke up in the morning, with anticipation for the fun day ahead.

At first things were pretty chill, just wheel out your grill and cooler and something to share.  Then things got more organized, bike parades, face painting etc.  Then we grew up, started going to college.  New families moved in with younger kids, a new generation of Vera Circle (I think last year they had a bounce house!).  There are still the old faces, neighbors who have lived there for 20, 30 years.  And even if a year went by, just waving when I saw people drive by, I loved going out on the block and catching up, enjoying a summer day with friends.

This was the first year since my parents have lived there that no one came out for the 4th.  I have to say I was a little disappointed to see such a tradition not happen.  My mom had this picture hanging on our fridge recently, can you spot me?  Hint, I’m still the shortest one.  Anyways, the 4th of July will always have great memories associated with it for me.  Wherever you were this year, I hope it was memorable.

On Saturday I enjoyed a night at the Hollywood Bowl with my family for their Fireworks Spectacular.  Thought I would share a bit of the magic – something about The Battle Hymn of the Republic always gives me the chills.