Fun on the Fourth

On the 4th of July we drove up to my sister Kathy and brother-in-law Mark's house for a picnic followed by fireworks, both purchased and homemade. Everyone brought a dish to pass and the hosts grilled delicious hots and hamburgers. It was a fun day despite the steady drizzle. We enjoyed each other's company in the house and under the enclosed tent. When dusk approached the rain obligingly subsided for our fireworks display.

With patriotic music blaring from the tent the first fireworks were ignited. It was actually darker than the picture shows. Mark put on a grand display as we more "mature" ladies applauded our approval from beneath the relative safety of the patio umbrella you see here. After all, we wouldn't want falling ash in our hair!
After the purchased fireworks had been set off the big guns arrived. Jamie, the son of my sister's friend, brought out a homemade launcher. All the younger folks (and men) were impressed with the devise. Us ladies held our position at the patio furniture.

Here is Jamie dousing the folded paper towels with lighter fluid in order to ignite several fireworks at once. Let's just say it worked, although it produced quite a flame-out the likes of which even caused Jamie to leap over the fence into the safety of the neighbor's yard!

Seriously, despite the flames, the fireworks went off reasonably well and were enjoyed by all. It will be a holiday to remember although it was a bittersweet occasion. Kathy and Mark's house is for sale and they will be moving to South Carolina when it sells. Perhaps next year's 4th festivities will require a much longer road trip!