FOURTH of JULY

Fireworks most likely originated in China about 2,000 years ago. Some say that fireworks were discovered by accident by a Chinese cook who happened to mix charcoal, sulphur and saltpeter.

The Chinese named this black powder "huo yao" ("Fire Chemical") and developed it further. When the mixture was inserted into the hollow of a bamboo stick and thrown into a fire, the gases produced a bang. The basic fire cracker was born.

From that point forward, fire crackers played an essential part in Chinese festivities -weddings, religious rituals -any cause for celebration heard their bang due to the belief that they were thought to be powerful enough to scare off evil spirits. Chinese New Year is a particularly popular event that is celebrated with firecrackers to usher in the new year free of the evil spirits.

Did you know??!!... you can have your own fireworks display for the 4th of July- or your wedding or any event! Look at:   http://www.pyrotecnico.com/index.html I promise you'll be pleasantly surprised!

For the "smaller" picnic and party items see:



This is a great time to think about getting a grill to provide a center of backyard entertainment and eating! for friends and family.  Before you buy,  peruse ww.shopperschoice.com for helpful information. Shoppers Choice says:
"These gas grill videos and charcoal grill videos show all of the great features on some of our top BBQ Grills. No need to read reviews or wonder how something will work at your house before purchasing. Get a feel for the size and its ability! Featured Explantions, Product Demosratations, BBQ Grill Reviews & more."

So, relax and enjoy time with friends & family but, as always, be aware of safety!  If the Police and/or the Fire Dept. show up at your party it may indicate that somewhere along the way your plans went awry!

FORGET ME NOT

Darlings, I am dedicating this blog to a certain group of people. You may personally know some. Or you may not recognize these individuals when you see them. They may include perhaps, your neighbor who plays catch with his young children on Sat. mornings while you drink your first cup of coffee. They may include the elderly gentleman across the street who sits silently on his front porch all day. They may include a woman who insists on baking a cake for coworkers to celebrate any and every holiday. They may include a scruffy person of indeterminate age, wheeling their shopping cart, filled with their life’s belongings, past your business every day.

                                                                            http://www.dav.org/

Who are these people? They are Veterans, past & present, who are directly responsible for the fact that we Americans live where we choose, work where we choose, say what we want to say or choose not to speak, own our own business if we choose, celebrate or not, as we wish.

                                                                             

                                            

So, my friends, on Mon. May 31st, enjoy your day off, get together with family & friends, picnic, barbecue, play ball!

AND please, remember our Veterans this Memorial Day, especially all those who laid down their lives so that we can continue to live free. Visit a Veterans cemetery or memorial. Place a flag on the grave of a Veteran. Fly the Flag of the USA. Buy a red poppy from the members of VFW to display on your person. Just show you care.

 
American Global Flag                                            www.uso.org/