My favorite part of July 4, 2009 is that Sarah Palin, the governor of the state in which I reside, is stepping down. I consider that the greatest gift of independence Alaska could have! I am so thankful.  I have been saying for a year now that she can’t leave fast enough for me, but here she is. Leaving. And that is my favorite part of this fourth of July :)

When I was a child my mother would take us to Coney Island to watch the fireworks. People would come from far and near.We would get there early so that we could go on the rides before the fireworks started.

It’s a time when families and friends come together for food, fun and reminiscenting. It’s also a time for reflection and gratitude. It’s  counting ones blessings.

So far, it’s been a quiet morning and afternoon. Lots of calls from family. Later this evening  there will be lots of fireworks.

I have never understood the appeal of watching other people light fireworks.  If I don’t get to place, aim and light them myself, I don’t bother.  It’s like watching someone else go skiing or skating - no matter how beautiful it is, it is not the same experience as doing it yourself.  It is a real shame that so many communities try to outlaw it .. the original tradition as founded by Ben Franklin and his co-horts was for INDIVIDUALS to shoot off their personally owned cannons and muskets in celebration in their own backyards. 

The patriotism. For all our warts, we’re still the greatest country on Earth.

Growing up in Washington, D.C., I had access to the Big Bang, of course, but my favorite was the neighborhood fireworks.  Then, we could still use fireworks legally, and it was all sparklers and fountains.  Usually the Dads were in charge of the bigger things.  The boys loved cherry bombs and those tiny little finger firecrackers that made a tiny pop.  We also loved wrecking curbs with those smoking snakes that left a black circle once they were done that never went away and caps for cap guns.  You would pick up a random stone, unthread the paper and go poppoppop.

My favorite thing is when it rains on July 4th evening, cancelling everyone’s fireworks fun.

For me it’s the Patriotism.  In less than a couple decades my family will have been here for 400 years.  I have books about my ancestors and the interesting history of our first arrival to what would be Massachusetts.

The 4th makes me feel very patriotic especially when I go back and read about a minor name change in 1793 when a supporter of Revolution argued with his Loyal to the Crown father.

I am very proud of  my heritage here in these United States and I feel very Patriotic on the 4th of July.

Finally, last night, while we watched the fireworks in San Francisco from my friends deck during a BBQ, an Australian couple just could not get over how cool it was the way we celebrate the Birth of our Nation. That made this year’s 4th even more special and made me feel even more Patriotic.