safe and sane

Showing our colors, gardening style with blue Delphinium and red and white petunias

Tomorrow is Independence Day in the States, simply referred to as ‘the 4th.’ Many years ago one of my teachers presented us with a series of logic questions including ‘do other countries have the 4th of July?’ Of course the answer was, ‘yes’ referring to the date, not the occasion. I probably got it wrong too, but hey, I learned from my mistake.

On the subject of mistakes, here are a few to avoid altogether, as told from the perspective of a garden fairy:

Keep your animals indoors. More animals go missing on July 4th than on any other day of the year. The fairy garden critters are under wraps for the next 24 hours. Please keep your cats and dogs, deers and frogs safely indoors as well.

Safe and sane fireworks. Anything with the word ‘fire’ in it deserves our respect. I’ve set up extra chairs and few lichen-covered logs for fairy garden fireworks viewing at a safe distance from all the action. If you’re watching the works, be sure to keep your distance, too.

Safe celebrations in the fairy garden

If you reside in the US, happy Independence Day. Happy 4th of July to everyone else. 😉

After the 4th of July Parade

Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day in the States, a holiday affectionately know as the 4th of July or simply “the 4th.” We live in a family oriented community with lots of fun activities, so we have a safe and sane 4th without driving anywhere. Our neighborhood pool association hosts a parade around the park, followed by a watermelon eating contest by age group. Older kids decorate bikes and scooters, while the younger ones follow in strollers. The park is two short blocks away.

In the afternoon and well into the evening, we have a block party. One of our neighbors started this event over a decade ago. It grows bigger and more elaborate each year. We all bring side dishes and desserts to share, and a handful of neighbors set up barbecues. Most years the local fire department stops by. The kids get to climb in the truck while we all go mad with our cameras. Occasionally the fire-fighting crew opens a fire hose and things really get exciting.

I sign up for distributing name tags each year. I also maintain the neighborhood email directory. It’s a fun task as it allows me to introduce myself to new families each year, people I might otherwise miss.

Today I purchased three small annuals in red, white and almost blue to replace the pink geranium. We have a clever pot with our street number etched into the ceramic facade sitting near the curb on the concrete wall. I can’t wait to re-plant it with annuals for a fresh, celebratory color splash. If I have time, I’ll spruce up the fairy garden as well.

If you live in the US, please have a safe and sane 4th of July. Keep your animals indoors in a quiet room with lots of cool water on hand. Enjoy!

The Humane Society provides the following tips for keeping your animals safe on the 4th.