“Gave proof through the night” My family was big on patriotism. We had a flag on the house for national holidays, knew all the words to the patriotic songs, and fired a little "Bang-Shot" cannon on the front steps for the 4th of July. I learned flag etiquette in Scouts, including that you never write or attach anything to a flag—no name, no fringe, nothing.
We went to band concerts and sing-alongs on Memorial Day and 4th of July whenever we could, and loyally taped all the TV firework shows on the 4th, watching them on into the night—the Boston Pops, the rockets' red glare over the St. Louis Arch ... we loved them all.
So it was nothing new that I turned on the TV last night (first time in a year it was on) to watch "Capitol 4th," public television's presentation of the concert and fireworks show on the mall in Washington, D.C. I noticed I watch it like my father did: critiquing the MC (not very good), going to the bathroom during the "stupid" rock-and-roll numbers, singing enthusiastically, and vocalizing the cannon shots during the "1812 Overture." Fun!
But TV fireworks are no substitute for the real thing, so I stayed up, accomplishing nothing, till 10 p.m. Boulder has a traditional fireworks show at Folsom Field, up at the university. Through a gap in the trees, I can see the aerial display from my front yard. So there I was, happily crooning, "Ooooh!" and "Aaaah!" for each colorful burst.
I'm proud to be an American for all sorts of reasons. And each summer that pride comes blasting out in vibrant color and excitement!
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Posts
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just when you thought it was safe to get out of the water …
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fun at Safeway
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Beware!
Life Lessons from Dads
“Stars and Stripes Forever”
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Elk Creek’s Spelling Bee
Snow
Ho ho ho!
busy … busy … busy …
Student advocacy …
Small world!
July 1st
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my new plants
“The Lord planted a garden …”
Worms
hideously horrible, absolutely wonderful writing conference!
Me and the Beatles?
April 14 snowstorm
of Apples and support services
Peak-to-Peak’s Christmas concert
Let there be lights
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fireworks—soggy, glorious!
An island, just for me?
Contemporvant
Trip reading
May!
Flamingo in a snowbank
An abundant week, part 3
An abundant week, part 1
Girl Scout cookie time
Crash Blossoms
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Bee sentences
Jesus-is-born scenario
Habit
After Thanksgiving dessert
11.11.11
New dawn?
Snail mail
Tardiness
Oh, yawn!
Technology
Weather
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Memory lane?
Techno-speak for the elderly
“Where Go the Boats?”
Jumble ®
Fireworks in Westminster
Solution
“Up” from Disney/Pixar
Summer in Colorado
June!
“Grand re-opening”
Flag waving
CU Graduation
Snowstorm on my mind
Cat at Red Lobster
Cheers for FedEx!
Name game
New leaders
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Magformers ™
“Boy in the Striped Pajamas”
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Dizzy dame
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A mossy stone?
October 4, 1957
Autumn
A hint of fall in the air
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Cirque de Soleil
“Gave proof through the night”
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Pretend friend
Cockroach letter
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Spelling Bee screener
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Charles Martin’s books
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First day …
Supper with friends
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Kitty grass
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Songs and choices
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