Will You go off with me on the Fourth?

It is hard to believe the Fourth of July, American's celebration of its Independence, is just one week away.  I will have a bunch of friends and family here for the entire extended weekend starting Wednesday night.  It is going to be so much fun.

I just love these vintage celebratory Fourth of July pieces.  The caption for this one is especially clever.

Have a marvelous day!

Monday is the Fourth of July! -Postcard Friendship Friday #320

In America we celebrate our independence on the Fourth of July.  

In years past, I have looked forward to the Fourth of July almost as much Christmas.  This is the second Fourth of July since my Beloved flew away to heaven, so it is a bittersweet holiday for me.  In my mind's eye, I can see my brawny husband striding through the crowds, greeting people, clapping them on the back, cracking jokes.  I can almost hear his laughter.  I miss him with all my heart during the holidays.  There is an ache in my heart that won't go away.  None the less--there is still joy and happiness to be found. 

In our small town of Independence we celebrate with a parade, waterfront complete with live music, booths, food--all next to the Willamette river.  In the evening there are fireworks over the Willamette River--it is the best fireworks display this side of the Mississippi, or so I'm told.  (grin) Of course, we are all biased.  I think of all the parades which have happened since my home was built in 1896 and I marvel.


I've heard that better than 80,000 people (or more, this year) will be flooding into town this weekend for the holiday.  The Fourth also coincides with Western Days, so it will get a bit wild around here.

In the evening, we walk to the fireworks and back. For me, it is a cozy feeling to light a big bonfire in the fire pit out back, to roast marshmallows and watch all the people trying to leave town at the same time.

Have a blessed weekend, dear Friends.

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Fowerty-Frappers! -Postcard Friendship Friday #126

So, do you know what fowerty-frappers are?  This is a term I just discovered which means Fireworks of any kind!  It is an old fashioned term from Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary, of 1896-1905.

On the Fourth of July, here in America, we celebrate the holiday with parades, good food and lots of fowerty-frappers!  In 1840, Chevalier de Bacourt, France's Minister-Plenipotentiary said of the Fourth, "...It is celebrated in every part of America, if not with suitable splendor at least with prodigious noise."

The following year, Minister Chevalier de Bacourt complained, "Yesterday was the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, but as it fell on Sunday they put off until today the celebration of the annual holiday, and I have been kept awake since five o'clock this morning by the incessant noise of cannons and firecrackers.  That is the American fashion of showing their satisfaction.  To them, noise personifies joy!"

Ah, things haven't changed one bit since 1840! 

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

PLEASE NOTE:  Postcard Friendship Friday was designed so folks who love postcards can share their favorites.  If your link does not contain a postcard, is not related to post offices, mail, etc., I will delete the link.  This has happened a couple of times now.  It always makes me feel sad to delete a link--especially if your blog is charming.  However, the fact remains--postcard Friendship Friday celebrates postcards!  Please respect this fact.  Thank you!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week! 

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the pieces you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising will be deleted. Also, any and all suspicious links which do not lead to a correct website will be reported and deleted.

 

Egad! Sparklers!!!

Many of these early postcards have children doing dangerous things with fireworks and such.  I love their colorful attractive look--but GOODNESS!  That child has a gun!  Not to mention the sword lying on the ground next to his drum. 

Have a Happy SAFE Fourth of July!