Good Old 4th & Summer

In a few days, as we are watching our local fireworks displays screaming their salutes to the Stars and Stripes and a Happy Birthday America, remember how “Our Generation” understood freedom and independence in simpler way.









Remember our parent’s pride as they told us of their WWII and the Korean War experiences. Returning to a free country and for their buddies who died for freedom and independence.






Remember starting every school day with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. We never thought twice about saying “One Nation UNDER GOD“, because President Eisenhower and our Nation believed it was a basic American freedom and liberty to add these words.


Remember when we never locked a door. Freedom was a front door left open and backed by a flimsy latched hook and eye wood screen door.


The only “Intruders” we knew were ants at a family picnic.






Security was a full moon.

“Motion detector lights” were flickering fireflies when we stepped out on the front porch to enjoy the freedom of a warm Summer night.
Remember how we’d beg Mom for a Mason jar to catch those fireflies.

And a remedy for mosquitoes, was Dad lighting a few “punk” sticks, then watching their thin trails of smoke inch up to the moon.

Remember the clanging bells of the Good Humor Ice cream truck.

Racing after it and slapping down a nickel borrowed against next week’s allowance for a Dixie Cup or ice cream bar.

Remember sitting on the front porch, visiting with the neighbors, and listening to the AM radio’s music drifting through the front room window.

Remember hot summer nights. No air conditioning and sleeping on the front room floor. Windows, wide open and a small oscillating table fan giving little relief as we stood taking turns standing in front of it to keep cool.




Remember neither we or our neighbors were well-to-do; yet we never worried about any of them stealing from us. We’d borrow tools, a cup of sugar or, a favor. It was always a returned with a handshake or “anytime you need it, just ask”.


So get out there and de-isolate the kids and grand kids from the TV, video games and the computer.

Celebrate our Nation’s Birthday.

Savor the freedom of indulging in an extra piece of good old-fashioned fried chicken and ice cold watermelon.

Share some with friends and neighbors and welcome those famous “intruders“.

Stop that ice cream truck. Pull out that currency and thank God His name is on it.

Make room on the front porch for family , friends and fireflies and treasure freedom while watching fireworks screaming salutes to the Stars and Stripes.





From Winnie, Happy 4th to all!!