Dimaras Sanity Break

4th of July

For us, it is Independence Day.
Picnics, parades, family reunions.Hot, sunny, summer day. Usually.

I especially enjoy the Fireworks over Lake Michigan.Heading to the beach in late afternoon. Locals know to send someone to "stake out" their family’s favorite spot. Scooping sand out to make a comfy place to recline.Lining it with an old blanket. A picnic basket filled for a late snack. Don’t forget the sunscreen! 

Down the beach the swing sets see a lot of use.Shutting your eyes, you hear the squeal of the swingsmixed with the screech of the gulls overhead or swooping down on a child’s forgotten treat.

You prayed all week for good weather. A light breeze until dusk, then stillness. The crowd enjoys natures contribution of a gorgeous sunset.

With the appearance of the first stars the crowd becomes restless.It is getting late, around 10-10:30 PM.

Down the lakeshore you can see private displays going off from the bluffs.

The boats have been drifting near the piers. 
Their lights reflecting off the water.

Then you hear a dull Thud / thump.You "feel" it more than hear it.

The men are sending up "testers",to make sure the drift doesn’t sprinkle the hot sparks on the people below or the homes nearby.

Then… fairy sprinkles shooting over the lake.Greens and yellows. Blues and reds.
All mixed with hot white sparks.The pin wheels and whistlers.

 

Babies cry, parents comfort or ignore. Older children lean back in elders arms.Watching, amazed.Their elders enjoying again a part of their childhood.

You hear the Oh’s and Ah’s,up and down the beach.You think you will feel that thud / thump,far into the night. All of a sudden it is timefor the Grand Finale! Lighting up the night.

You look around.Seeing clearly your friends and neighbors,all eyes to the heavens, rapt.

Or at least that is how you hope it goes.

There are years when Mother Nature takes over.

I recall being on the beach early ( I get to do the "stake out" usually)The day had been so hectic. After I got the blankets spread I laid down and drifted off to sleep. In late afternoon, family members arrived. They were talking about the weather reports."High winds…Lots of rain"

We looked around.Sunny blue sky,except for the western horizon.A thin dark line. But we are sure it will never get here until after midnight.The crowds gathered. The wind was gentle.So what if the line was thickening!

The sunset was beautiful except for thehorizon. Everyone settled in. We are NOT leaving!

Mother Nature:
" They want Fireworks? I’ll give them Fireworks!" 
No wind. The crowd is restless.The dark line of the storm front, seems to be holding off mid-lake. So close, yet perhaps enough time for the display.

Then we feel it.A light, damp breeze. Gathering momentum. We watch the cloud bank, lightening flashing the underbelly.
A gray haze between the lake and the clouds. Moving rapidly, a few locals start
heading off the beach. More and more,
gathering up their belongings.

Now you feel the first drops, big and fat and heavy.

The wind starts stirring the sand, stinging bare legs. The storm is right overhead!
Breathing down your neck. Drenching everything, including you! Crushed in the crowd, like herd animals in a stampede.
Trying to keep your balance as the crowd and wind attempt to knock you off your feet. 
Lightening making you cringe. The storm deafening. People jumping into their cars,
all parked together down main street. Traffic crawling slowly.. mixed with all the unfortunate ones still afoot.

Rumbling overhead you swear Mother Nature is chuckling.

[Email:[email protected]]

[Main] [Entrance] [Home] [My Area] [Pet Peeves] [Ramblings] [Poetry] [4th of july] [Favorite links]
[View My Guestbook] [Sign My Guestbook]

Site Designed by ©VlônDesigns