We do the same thing every 4th of July.
And I'm not complaining. We've created a pretty decent tradition with some of our better friends of spending the afternoon and evening together taking in all the 4th of July finery our city, which likes to boast that it's 'the 4th of July Capital of Minnesota 'has to offer.
Before we get to the good stuff on the 4th of July however - meaning the parades and the tailgating and hanging with our buds while we bide our time until the fireworks - there is much work to be done. Celebrating 4th of July with us is not for the lazy.
Before we get to the good stuff on the 4th of July however - meaning the parades and the tailgating and hanging with our buds while we bide our time until the fireworks - there is much work to be done. Celebrating 4th of July with us is not for the lazy.
We have to shop for the food, clean out the coolers. Pack spatulas, plastic silverware, napkins and paper plates. Prepare a smaller cooler for parade beverages and a larger one for the tailgate meal. Cut up some fruit, cut up some onions, wipe down the table we'll take and make sure there is propane for the portable gas grill. I also pack sweatshirts and long pants for sunset - for not only myself but for everyone in my family who swears they won't need them but then asks if I've brought some for them about 8 o'clock, after the temperature has dropped about 20 degrees.
As the parade hour approaches we need to load all of our totes, coolers and grills into the truck. When we arrive at our pre-appointed tailgate location it's time to set up the lawn chairs, visit a little, and collect a few free mini flags from the local Ford dealer.
And then....and then.... it's Cannnndddddddddeeeeeyyyy time!
I likes my sugary treats.
You can have your cake and cupcakes and gooey chocolate bars. My guilty pleasure is delicious, delicious candy.
I am a dentist's dream.
Now that my children are older I don't even have to feel guilty for not donating my take to their collection. It's every parade goer for himself.
And this year it was a banner 'free candy' event.
Tootsie rolls and caramel suckers. Blow pops and Icees. Hot Atomic Balls and Sour War Heads that exploded splendidly in my mouth.
Sure, I also had to smile and graciously collect several dozen political stickers during the course of the afternoon but it was well worth it for the sugar-high inducing haul I made... which I promptly devoured sitting in my lawn chair parade side.
Now that I think about it I may have been a bit of a spectacle. What with my girlfriends yelling, "Throw some to her!" "Over here - she wants some," and all.
But it's okay.
It's another 12 months before the next 4th of July comes around.
Until then I'll try to be more responsible about my candy consumption.
As soon as the mega bag of lemon drops from Fleet Farm in the glove compartment of my car is gone. And ... it's only three months until the next big candy holiday comes around ... Halloween.
