I always feel a bit down on holidays like the 4th of July since our family is so scattered and so far, but I wistfully went through the motions this morning planning for the usual hot dogs and burgers w/trimmings. The fun was missing though, and there was still shopping to be done for the necessary ingredients. Bill warned, “It’s gonna be crowded.” He knows how much I HATE crowds.
Stop# 1 – Herman’s Roadside Country Store.
Yep, it was crowded. Inside was abuzz with laughter and activity. “Do you have lime to add to the soil?” asked one woman. The jovial checker lady said, “Hang on! I’ll ask.” And she hollered at full volume to a gent at the rear of the store, “HAVE WE GOT LIME?” And then she whispered to me, “Watch – I’ll bet he says Huhhhhh?” And within 10 seconds he hollered back as if on cue, “Huhhhhh?”
This may not sound funny in writing as it did in person but everybody in the place cracked up. I left laughing and with some great tomatoes.
Stop #2 – The YMCA Treadmill.
Merrily proceeding I decided to stop for 20 minutes to stroll on the treadmill to assuage pervasive guilt over sedentary slothfulness and imagined again the gym would be too crowded. And yes, it was, but there was one treadmill available. On the way out I met four friends and stopped to chat, finally leaving energized and smiling and feeling noble about conquering slothful urges.
On the way out, there was this great old beat up farm truck that begged to be photographed!
Stop #3 – The Grocery Store.
Surely the supermarket would be mobbed and it was, but with a happy crowd. A favorite member of my book club appeared in one aisle so we stopped to chat about the current book, Factory Girls.
Leaving the store and expecting a hot muggy trudge to the car, there was instead a lovely breeze to nudge me to the far end of the parking lot (favorite spot to work in extra steps).
The air felt so good I wanted to keep on walking but the frozen yogurt might have melted.
Stop #4 – Home.
Arriving home meant unloading (if Bill was snoozing or mowing the South 40) putting away all the groceries, washing all the fruits and veggies, then slicing, cutting and preparing for a traditional Independence Day feast. I was happy but tired and had not begun the slicing and dicing when the phone rang.
Good friends suggested we all go out to dinner to the Natural Bridge Hotel. Great idea!
Stop #5 – Natural Bridge Hotel.
“It will probably be empty,” was the day’s lament. “Everybody’s home barbecuing.” But the hotel dining room was mobbed and once again with a happy bunch of people. We were seated right next to a talented guitar player who was playing at extremely close proximity, so table conversation was at the shouting level.
Our waitress had a name tag. It said her name was Andrew. “IS THAT REALLY YOUR NAME?” I yelled. “I WEAR FAKE NAMES ALL THE TIME,” she yelled back. That started us all laughing and it was hard to stop through the entire meal. Her real name is Michelle (we think) and she says she has another job as a fire truck driver! She also goes by the names of Brad or Francine.
I still sorely miss my family and friends who are scattered so far away but the fates must have conspired to force smiles and laughter on this particular Independence Day.
A song kept trying to erupt as the day progressed (and of course, you do not want to be around for that). I think Perry Como made it famous and here are the lyrics. Do you remember this song?
It’s a Good Day
Yes, it’s a good day for singing a song
And it’s a good day for moving along
Yes, it’s a good day, how can anything go wrong?
Good day from morning till night
‘Cause it’s a good day for shining your shoes
Yes, it’s a good day for losing your blues
Everything to gain, nothing to lose
‘Cause it’s a good day from morning till night
I said to the sun
“Good morning sun, rise and shine today”
You know you gotta get going if you’re gonna make a showing
And you gotta get the right away
‘Cause it’s a good day for paying your bills
And it’s a good day for curing your ills
So take a deep breath and throw away your pills
‘Cause it’s a good day from morning till night
When I woke up this morning, I was feeling all wrong
Couldn’t find any reason for a happy song
Then I combed my hair and I washed my face
And my little world fell into place
‘Cause it’s a good day for paying your bills
And it’s a good day for curing your ills
So take a deep breath, throw away your pills
‘Cause it’s a good day from morning till
Good day from morning till, good day from morning till night
I like the photo of the truck, it is how I feel some days, though I manage to keep going. I truly understand your feelings about scattered family.
LikeLike
Bleh! I hate to admit it Charlie but there’s something about that old care worn truck…. a mirror image maybe? Still, there is character there right? 🙂
LikeLike
Hugz to you and I bet tomorrow will be wonderful!
LikeLike
Just love this post Dora ! Love the old banger and remember the song ” Its a Good Day ” .You certainly know how to cheer us up especilly me at 7-30 in the morning. Thanks.
LikeLike
No….I don’t remember ever hearing that song. I’ll have to research it online.
I had a nice surprise yesterday too: none of my girlfriends were available to go beachcombing at a tiny little beach just a few miles away. Motor Man agreed to take me and sit in the truck while I searched the beach. I hesitated, thinking it would be crowded with folks. There was ONE girl sitting in a lounge chair, taking in the sun. I walked the beach for about an hour and found several pieces of sea glass. Glad your day was happy too!
LikeLike
Beautifully written! I love your witty sense of humor! 🙂
LikeLike
Because of my wonderful childhood memories, 4th of July is also a bust for me now. We had some friends in for picnic which worked out great but I feel lost when I spend it alone. Sound like your day turned out great despite the lack of family.
LikeLike
Hi Dor: Read this blog on the 5th. Know exactly what you mean about scattered family and friends!! Have house up for sale, but slooooow market down here. Burgers and franks for two was our way, but some fun old movies on tv made my day!!
LikeLike
Sounds like a lovely day to me!
LikeLike
I totally love this and I sing the first verse of Perry Como’s song all the time – it’s a real “pick-me-up”. Glad you ended up having a good 4th!
Love ya, Julie
_____
LikeLike
I hate being the one that’s scattered because it has taken me away from most every family gathering over the last 30+ years. The scares of being away and yet for you, the scars of not having your family near – then we both get it. Love this special post, it was wonderful that you guys found a happy place at the hotel (that waitress was a riot)!
LikeLike
And Ditto my friend – Ditto! 🙂
LikeLike
Being “cheery” may be catchy Rita. I’m glad you caught my Good Day feelings. 🙂
LikeLike
I often long for days like you just had – beachcombing! And with only one other person to mar the landscape. How lucky you were Dianna – and to find sea glass too. I have never found any even though I practically grew up on Florida beaches. Maybe I just didn’t know what to look for.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your lovely comment. I have browsed around your very interesting blog too and I am following you.
LikeLike
Odd how we have come to the same place – missing family, especially at family style holidays – and we have successfully pushed through the “lost” feelings, still remembering.
LikeLike
Hi Laura! WordPress tends to publish stories the “day after” even though I was writing this one the “night of” the 4th of July. I have been thinking of you and Danny and wishing you would hurry up and move back here. When you do, and if you agree to share dog sitting, I will get another dog. That’s the other downside of having scattered family. And you two could have gone with us to Natural Bridge Hotel! Good luck with the house sale. They say things are picking up now.
LikeLike
It was. It was a lovely day. Not perfect. But lovely. 🙂
LikeLike
Hope your 4th was a happy one too Julie! I will stop by the shop next week to say hello. 🙂
LikeLike
Aha! So you are one of the scatter-ers Mary! Well, the left and lonely are simply mirror images of the wanderers, so you are right – we both get it. 🙂 All we can do is experience the bright things as we go through our days. 🙂
LikeLike
I love the way you don’t let circumstances get in the way of having a good day. That is a blessing and thanks for sharing your day with us. It was great following along and your upbeat attitude is contagious – thanks for that!
LikeLike
My, yes, I remember that song! I understand about holidays being not quite the same when there is no family get-together. But is sounds as if you had a great day anyway! Your posts always cheer me up.
LikeLike
So glad you had a good day! We have already decided we are going to Las Vegas for Christmas, of all places, because we don’t want to be home alone for Christmas now that we lost our last two local family members. So I understand the whole holiday thing.
LikeLike
Thank you so much! I’m still learning… 🙂
LikeLike
It was a lovely day “from morning til night” Eliza and thanks for following along too.
LikeLike
Yes, it was just one of those days when everything falls just right. Today wasn’t bad either. Maybe it’s the lower humidity. At any rate I’m glad you enjoyed the post coastalcrone. 🙂
LikeLike
You are so wise to choose Vegas as a destination. There is so much to do and see that we never have time to brood over anything when we go. I never thought of it for Christmas but what a grand idea!
LikeLike
And believe me, the learning never ends….. 🙂
LikeLike
Smiling at your stories, Dor, and the way you told them. Glad the Universe gave you an interesting day, even though it wasn’t maybe what you would have wanted. We had a great 4th because our daughter was here, but yesterday and today am a little blue. Have to get back into the routine, I guess.
LikeLike
Can’t wait to dog sit with you!!! That’s why I coming back lol. Have my sweet Raven and can’t bear to put her in kennel. Once we’re back you can get a “baby” and bring her/him right over to us to bond!!!
LikeLike
Here’s to lot’s more “good days” Kathy and as many as possible with the ones we love.:)
LikeLike
I knew it! It’s a match made in heaven – or on earth. Raven can always stay with us – whether we have a new “baby” or not.
LikeLike
Loved tagging along with you on your good day here. And oh, yes, I do remember that song and I sang along while I read the lyrics. Glad you had a good day!! We did too. 🙂
LikeLike
🙂 Hurrah for those good days. I’m so glad you had one too.
LikeLike
Hi Dor. I feel like this at almost every holiday. My family is scattered to the winds and there are times it feels like…really? Why am I even bothering to stuff this bird or put up this tree….but I push past it. This 4th was the opposite end of the spectrum though. My husband’s huge family had a family reunion in Maine and I could not have enjoyed it more. I really loved this post.
LikeLike
Ditto Barbara! Our son has a huge family who do a lot of celebrating, but they are mostly all in California. Bet that reunion in Maine was something. Did you get pictures?
LikeLike
We also live in a small town and what you wrote about small town life is spot on because we had we have had similar holiday celebrations. Also our family is scattered so we make our own celebrations. Coincidentally, we also live in VA and my actual name is also Dorothy (Beatrice is a blog alias).
LikeLike
Thanks Beatrice for stopping by my blog! I was looking around yours too and “liked” your about section too.
LikeLike
Sounds like you had fun. I’m surprised in this day that you even dared as her if it was her name. 🙂 Lots of surprises possible.
LikeLike
I swear I have that trucks twin in my back yard 🙂
LikeLike
I think it is very beautiful, but then again I love relics. 🙂 Glad you have one there too.
LikeLike
OH he works on it now and again has high hopes of cruzin in it 🙂
LikeLike
What fun that will be. Be sure to get lotsa pictures.
LikeLike
For sure 🙂
LikeLike