Want to close your eyes and wish your way back to 2019?
Yeah – me too!
We seemed to be so carefree then, so prosperous, so unafraid.
Everyone was so happy to be able to celebrate in a great nation in the way that we all chose.
In one little year so much has changed.
At the end of next week I will be writing about those changes and trying to bring some new hope into the situation; but just for starters let’s just step back and look at what was going on during this year of 2019. As you read compare the words to what could be said of today.
This isn’t an exercise to make you sad; but just an exercise to help us to realize not to take the good things of America for granted.
Please say a prayer for our country as we look back together and then close your eyes and think of where you were this time last year.
Was it a happy place?
Were you content?
Did you have all you needed?
Did you have hope for a future?
How does all of that compare to how you feel today.
What are we going to do about it?
Here is the article I wrote a year ago:
The time for our nation’s Independence Day celebration is now drawing very close. Can’t you just feel the excitement in the air?
People are making plans, hoping to just chill a bit and relax, gathering in many varied and creative ways and hoping to celebrate. It is a great time to shut down the office and have a little fun. What could be more important than the whole nation putting their differences aside and coming together as neighbors?
ONE COUNTRY UNDER GOD
We are celebrating our country’s birth. This is VERY significant and we should never forget the astounding details that our forefathers brought about with God’s help and lots of determination.
We just recently observed the celebration of the birth of God’s church with Pentecost. It is very appropriate that the celebration of our nation comes next. Look at the biblical patterns of history. Ancient Israel greatly celebrated their nation being one country under God; and we Americans need to do the same.
Yes; it is true. We do have many troubles and divisions. Nothing will ever be exactly perfect until Christ returns and sets up God’s Kingdom on this earth; but let’s put these things that divide us aside for just one day and dwell on the positive blessings that we all share.
Have you taught your children and grandchildren about the birth of America yet?
ENJOY YOUR FAMILY BEING TOGETHER
Don’t expect them to ever want to return to this country’s righteous roots if you don’t lead the way and show them how. The next generation is at our doorstep and this is a very teachable moment; plus it is a break from the business of a too-busy lifestyle, and a good day just to enjoy your family and all of your blessings together.
Are your plans already made for this year?
How do you and your family enjoy celebrating our nation’s independence?
If you are still deciding; here are a few suggestions that everyone should squeeze in at least once in a lifetime:
NEW YORK CITY
I have a friend who rents a room in New York City every year just so his family can sit out on the balcony and watch the fireworks together. This is the highlight of the year for them.
Yes; he has to make that reservation a year in advance in order to get that fancy front row seat, but; New York is said to have the best pyrotechnics around. It is expensive, but to that family; it is worth every penny in memories.
So; if you are planning a trip to the Big Apple; you might want to consider making it during the annual 4th of July celebrations.
Choice viewing spots abound, depending on what matters the most to your nostalgic heart.
Along the Brooklyn Bridge is where Macy’s will be showing off in 2019; Pier 17 in the Seaport District.
Then; there is Jersey City, which will be displaying fireworks at Exchange Place. It will be one of the most breathtaking spots to see the waterfront view of New York.
Coney Island’s fireworks are very popular. You will find that display at Riegelmann Boardwalk along the Coney Island Boardwalk.
For about $200 per person you can get a seat at one of the popular rooftop bars or seating areas; just be sure to buy a ticket in advance. They do sell out.
If you decide to visit Ellis Island to see The Statue of Liberty; be sure to get there in time for the Travis Village parade. This parade is one of the oldest Independence Day parades in the country; it claims to be even older than America.
The parade starts at noon. Bring cash. Stay around and watch the fireworks later.
Be sure to visit the new Statue of Liberty Museum that just opened this past May. It seems to be amazing and full of all the historical significance of this country’s founding days.
Some people think there is nothing like a boat cruise through New York Harbor where you can watch the fireworks from the water.
Boat parties abound. Some cruises offer food, drinks and entertainment over and above the fireworks displays. View the selections and visit the details from the Hornblower Cruises for more details.
WASHINGTON DC.
Of course, some true patriots would be no where else but Washington D. C. for their Independence Day celebration.
The fireworks in our nation’s capitol are truly amazing.
This year President Trump is planning a speech at The Lincoln Memorial, and there will be flyovers by Air Force One and The Navy’s Blue Angels. Tanks and military bands will be presented to the crowd and of course; the fireworks will be most spectacular.
Earlier in the day the parading will start on Constitution Avenue NW and 7th Street NW. This large, amazing and elaborate parade will end at Constitution Avenue NW and 17th Street NW.
I’ve heard if you park close to 17th Street the crowd is thinner and you still get a great view of the parade. The fun starts at 11:45 a.m. and is expected to last until 2 p.m.
After the parade, there will be a National Folk-life Festival on the Mall featuring all of the many cultures that have melted into the America we have today.
There is a wonderful PBS Concert at the Capitol Building which features the National Symphony Orchestra.
All of the above is followed by the largest fireworks display around!
What better way to say Happy Birthday to our nation than right in the middle of the Capitol City?
SOUTHERN STYLE CELEBRATIONS
Well; some of us hail from the South and probably not many of us will be making it all the way to Washington DC or New York City. We find ourselves celebrating in other areas, in our own unique styles, which vary according to the creativity of our more local individuals, cities and small towns all across the country.
Smaller parades and fireworks exhibits will be scattered all across this nation. The sightings will be from children and their puppies playing at their backyard family BBQ’s all the way up to several very important dignitaries having more formal celebrations accompanied by more official speeches.
You can’t say this country doesn’t offer a variety!
Red, White and Blue in a Basket
INDEPENDENCE DAY IN ALABAMA
My home is in Alabama.
Usually you will find my family banning together right in the midst of the best of the local neighborhood’s offerings for the season.
There are plenty of options here, and we change it up almost every year.
The South really knows how to throw a party. You will probably find more patriotic hearts here than anywhere else on earth.
Resorts are plentiful in our part of the country. They come in all shapes and sizes and various fashions and styles; from the shores of the Gulf Coast to the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains, all of us will be celebrating our liberty and freedom.
SOME OF THE BEST CELEBRATIONS HAPPEN IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS
It is traditional in all the small towns across the South to pull up the rocking chairs and sit on the front porch (possibly with an ice cream freezer and a few gallons of lemonade.)
The more friends and neighbors who decide to call; the better.
Front porches are great for watching the parades passing through our small towns; and backyards are best for firing up the grills and feasting.
Music is usually pouring out the doorways of these home folk’s houses, and picnics are abundant on all of their picnic tables.
MEET THE FRONTYARD PEOPLE
Independence Day is a perfect day to sit out at your turquoise table. If you haven’t discovered this movement yet; it is probably time for you to meet The Frontyard People. Here is a little video to get you started: https://youtu.be/ElTq8PTm7rc.
You might want to read more about this great movement across the country in Kristin Schell’s book called “The Turquoise Table.” It is such an inspiration, for an Independence Day Celebration with your neighbors; or just a plain old everyday happening. I hope you will think about participating.
I definitely have a turquoise table on my wish list!
SAFETY FIRST
Most Dad’s in the South understand the importance of fireworks safety and they use this time to teach their sons; but they all also know a thing or two about how to have their own mini-fireworks displays in the more “acceptable and neighborhood-approved” locations.
Please be careful to consider your surroundings and warn your neighbors who have pets that might not think fireworks are as much fun as you do.
If you own a home out in the country, far from the maddening crowds, it might be the perfect time to offer to dog-sit for some of your city-dwelling friends. They would love you forever for thinking about their July 4th dilemma.
The key to everyone’s happiness is to consider the comfort and care for all and act accordingly.
(This is also probably a profitable side-line business for those wishing to add to their savings for summer vacations.)
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA FIREWORKS
Our family can usually be found hanging out in one of the many local and very popular Birmingham haunts.
The Morgan Creek Winery (just down the road in Harpersville, Alabama) is a fun near-by treat. Stomp grapes to some classical music after you have enjoyed a wine-tasting tour. It is a different way to relax and celebrate and a very lovely place to visit.
We love The American Village too (just down the road in Montevallo, Alabama.) It is one of the most popular local celebrations.
I promise you will leave their program feeling proud to be an American. The American Village is full of history, music and amazing fireworks under the stars.
The biggest and most popular event in the immediate Birmingham area is called Thunder on The Mountain, where fireworks are launched from Vulcan Park in Birmingham.
We’ve watched Thunder on the Mountain from a few spots in Homewood parking lots, and also from the south-side of Birmingham in a parking lot close to where my daughter lives.
It isn’t beyond us to find a rooftop bar (good choices are The Redmont Hotel and Moonshine.) The rooftop bar on the 17th level of the Elyton Hotel called Moonshine is a great spot to park in order to watch the fireworks.
I’m not sure if it was intentional in the naming of the place; but you definitely can see Mr. Vulcan “mooning” the crowd from that spot; and with or without Vulcan’s butt; the view is breathtakingly beautiful because of the city lights, even minus the fireworks.
Add the flavor of the Independence Day celebration into this mix and you are sure to have a winning combination for a fun night.
On other occasions we have found a few local spots out along the 280 Highway that are a little less crowded; but just as much fun.
You can still catch the fireworks in the right places even all the way over in that side of town.
Everyone in the Birmingham Area knows the rule of thumb for July 4th; “if you can see Vulcan; you will be able to see the fireworks.”
Just pick your spot using that trick, and it will always work out for you.
We have lots of tailgaters here; even though it isn’t even football season. People like to park their cars and trucks and tailgate under the stars and watch the fireworks. The people in the crowd will have all kinds of extravagant picnic foods going on. Most will be happy to share their recipes as well as share a taste with you.
If you are interested in more of the details about these Birmingham events, you might enjoy this link that we published last year:https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/independence-day/ .
BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA AND A TRAIN RIDE
My husband and I have seen all of the pagan statues we want. Vulcan’s butt has never really intrigued us; though I will admit the fireworks show around it is wonderful.
This year we are breaking our home-town traditions a bit and heading out-of-town towards a little cabin in the woods which we love that is nestled in the scenic little town called Blue Ridge, Georgia.
From there we will view an Old Timer’s Parade, take in a musical concert on the lake and watch a free fireworks display show that is held at Lake Blue Ridge every year.
We’ve found a quaint little restaurant called Treos, where we want to have dinner before all the fun begins.
There is an old mill we are hoping to tour after the parade and before our dinner, concert and fireworks.
This sweet little town called Blue Ridge doesn’t stop with one night of celebrating. They like to continue on having fun all through the whole weekend.
We will be taking an evening ride on the Firecracker Special Train excursion through the Taccoa River Valley and stopping in McCaysville for the Copper Basin Fireworks display on our second night in town.
Repeating the fireworks adventure isn’t a problem for us because we love taking that train ride under the stars of the moonlight. We think the whole get-a-way excursion will be a good and relaxing adventure for us this year.
Of course, we will miss our tradition of the whole-family celebrating together; so we will be swapping a few phone calls home in between our plans and adventures. It was simply a good time for us to take a little “couple’s” trip on our own.
Every few years we like to be very spontaneous and un-traditional and try to slip away for a couple’s retreat in order to celebrate our anniversary which falls right around the same date as our country’s birthday celebrations. The mountains are always our favorite place to celebrate.
It’s all good!
THE JOY OF LIVING IN AMERICA
Happy Independence Day to all of our readers from The IN SEASON Lifestyle Community.
We hope you and yours enjoy a full and wonderful 4th of July celebration this year. There is certainly a lot to be thankful for here. Our heritage is well worth celebrating and our country is the most wonderful country this side of heaven.
Let’s bring back the joy of being an American!
Where ever your heart leads you to go; enjoy America because this is who we are.
Glory in participating in the blessings of the land of the free and the home of the brave. Thank God for the amazing way He is leading us all into the future.
Experience the joy in a way you will never forget.
Be blessed and celebrate America’s Independence!