It sounds like we live such a jet-set lifestyle when I say, “we went boating with friends on the Fourth.”
Here’s the reality: Old School and I spent the Fourth of July down on the Ohio River with some family friends who own a pontoon boat. This family is truly amazing. They love the outdoors, and every summer they rent a campsite on the river, set up their moblie home and spend every weekend and every possible moment there. With three kids and three dogs. It’s never a dull moment.
When they told us we were all getting on the boat for our late-morning cruise, they weren’t kidding.
All three dogs — two German Shepherds and a Bassett Hound — boarded without hesitation, until they saw us. Strangers. One of the German Shepherds went right into a storage space, as seen in the center of the photo above, and didn’t come out until we all got off the boat. If you look closely you can see a light brown paw peeking out of the open door.
It was overcast and chilly to me, but not for the teenagers on board, they went tubing off the back of the boat. You couldn’t have paid me enough to do that, the river isn’t exactly clean and I wasn’t about to disrobe down to my bathing suit when it was so cold. By the way, is it just me or are bikinis getting smaller and smaller as I get older? Anyway, the girls had fun and managed not to end up in the river before, during or after tubing. Very impressive.
Meanwhile, the dogs made it very clear that they had done this before.
We timed our trip beautifully, it started to rain in the early afternoon, about the time we pulled back into the dock. Unfortunately it rained until late into the evening on the Fourth. Most cities and neighborhoods had to cancel their fireworks displays and outdoor concerts, etc. But that didn’t stop the average person from setting off their own fireworks. There were a LOT in my neighborhood and obviously we weren’t alone. My friend Brooke emailed me the next morning with an idea for a blog post here…..about idiots who set off their own fireworks on the Fourth.
“Idiots” is the word she used. Actually, here are her words exactly:
To the idiots who blast fireworks:
1. They’re illegal … I hope you get arrested like a Bengals player
2. Fireworks after 10pm? I don’t want to hear your redneck arguments, much less, your fireworks
3. You owe me $35 for going through 8 tranquilizers for the dog
Brooke adopted a dog from a shelter who has severe reactions to thunderstorms and very loud noises, such as fireworks. She has to tranquilize him so he doesn’t hurt himself while in a panic. It must have been a very long weekend for her family.
But, let us not forget the true meaning of the Fourth of July – it’s a celebration of our independence.
To all our servicemen and women, THANK YOU for your sacrifices, for fighting for our freedom and keeping us safe.
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