Remembering the Fourth of July
By MARCELLA BRUCE
Contributing writer
Remember when you were a kid during July Fourth? Remember the excitement of waving sparklers, throwing black snakes on the sidewalk, lighting fire crackers and getting rid of them quickly, and even shooting off roman candles?
Believe me all that excitement waned as I matured. It reappeared when our kids were young, but that has been a long time ago. Now I could care less. It's a wonderful treat to sit back and view professionally triggered fireworks celebrating the Fourth of July. It's also a lot less dangerous.
Son Skip and wife Lois came Friday, picked me up for the holiday weekend at Pratt which included a beautiful fireworks display on Saturday night at the Fish and Game complex. The Junior Bruce home is located just south, so we and their guests drove out to a nearby road and had a great view of the whole affair. We oohed and ahed along with several thousand others.
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After such pleasure Saturday, Sunday brought a sad pet event. Lois had been concerned about their Mr. Cat's health. The beautiful white cat with a black tail and head had been very listless so they called their veterinarian who told them to bring him in. They found he had a high fever and an infection. In a matter of a few hours, Mr. Cat died and for those of you who have mourned the loss of a much loved pet, you can understand the tears shed. So Mr. Cat was buried by one of the nearby trees. He will be missed and remembered.
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On a happier note. When the "kids" brought me home, I got to see another beautiful July Fourth fireworks display on Sunday evening in McPherson, courtesy of fellow Park Village residents Bob and Doris Arnold. Their son and wife Bob and Marge Arnold live right across from the park and we really had ringside seats. Truly beautiful. The two events made my busiest and most enjoyable July Fourth celebration in years. The food was very special too.
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There have been a lot of words spoken and written about the super weather enjoyed in Kansas so far this summer. Although there were pros and cons on how our farmers fared in the wheat harvest, the rains brought such beauty to the land.
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My tomato plants have bloomed and I think maybe I'll luck out and enjoy a few before the summer passes. If not, maybe I can beg a few from people who are much more proficient at growing the tasty beauties.
Of all summers' bounty in produce, nothing beats ripe, red tomatoes.
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One of the very special people in my family is my cousin-sister's daughter, Mildred. She recently was diagnosed with a brain tumor. As you can imagine, there was so much concern on the part of those of us who love her so much. We are so grateful for her recovery and to know that she will soon be able to return to her college-level teaching duties. What a blessing.
