Independence Day vigil

(click on the pictures for a larger view)



It is the day before the 4th of July and this Grouch is almost giddy with anticipation. I simply love the 4th. It is my favorite holiday celebration of the entire year. It is impossible to be grouchy on Independence Day. The 4th has it all: historical value, unabashed sentiment for our country, parades, picnics, fireworks, family togetherness. I have very fond memories of the celebration in my hometown of Forest Hills, Pa. The community had a party at the park where they gave grab bags to the kids, food for all, had games for us to participate in, and the volunteer firemen competed in tug of war and blasting a beer keg with their fire hoses until it got over a line. The keg was empty so I guess the firemen drank the beer first. I don't remember a parade and the fireworks at night were in another community but no matter, I loved it then and I love it now. In order to be in the proper spirit Mrs. Grouch decorated the homestead with bunting and flags.

She put out the Uncle Sam mascot too. Tomorrow on the 4th we will do the grand slam of celebrating. We start with the Rotary club pancake breakfast, then get our spots for the community parade. Then in the afternoon friends and family gather at Grouch Estates for a cook out. Tomorrow evening we'll see fireworks at the local mall. Maybe I will have some pictures to show in the next edition of Citizen Grouch!

Mrs. Grouch always wanted a wind mill for her garden and on her birthday this year her youngest son obliged with an 8ft beauty of a windmill. Of course it came in a flat box much smaller than 8 feet tall which means that there was a zillion little pieces to be assembled but Citizen Grouch was up to the task and the end result is seen here. Hopefully it will not blow away the next time we get our 70 mph winds.


Here is a picture from my desert trip of the big brother to our windmill. You can see the family resemblance.






Criptic message to a secret reader: Wilbur Smith has a new book: "Assegai" In it, men are men and women are women and the villians are bad. You will like it.