Ghost of 4th of July's Past

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the 4th of July.  Not just for the patriotic aspect of the holiday, or the fireworks, or the good food, but mostly because of the fond memories that the holiday holds in my heart.   From the time I was a little girl, I remember the 4th of July being a pretty big deal in our small community.  My dad was a member of the American Legion Drum & Bugle Corps, and each year they had a fireworks stand set up in town.  And each year I would accompany him while they set it up in the Round Table Parking lot (I think it was actually more of a hassle for him than anything, but he never complained).  If we were really lucky, we got pizza out of the deal, too.  Clint's dad was also a member of the Drum & Bugle Corps, so on occasion, he would also be one of the little ones running around "helping" while our dads set up their fireworks stand and waited in anticipation for the possible pizza and arcade time afterward.   And each year, my dad would buy some fireworks from their stand, and we would light them off in the evening our patio (to avoid fire danger, of course) and then we would watch the big fireworks show in Yreka from our lawn.  As I got a little older, I moved to the top of the woodshed to watch the fireworks.  I don't think it actually afforded a better view, but it felt like it did. 

Little did I know that in the years to come, 4th of July would remain a special holiday for me.  One that helped to create so many amazing, long-lasting memories. 

Stay tuned for a walk down memory lane.