It's the 4th of July

 

Today is the day we Americans celebrate Independence Day.  I've always loved the site of the flags flying and the fireworks at night.  

This 4th of July seems a little more subdued to me.  I can't help worrying about the sudden normalization  of racism and hatred.  I worry about the narrowing of civil rights and what appears to be a total disregard for those in need.  

I've always felt a strong, patriotic connection to my American heritage but as of late, I feel it slipping away.  

So, on this day of celebration, I am hoping our beloved nation can survive this current backward slide.  Diversity, Inclusion and Equity are not bad words.  They are the only thing that will save us.

It's the 4th of July!

 

The 4th of July or Independence Day has rolled around once again.  There will be flags flying and fireworks lighting the night skies.  I can usually see some right from my balcony.

Memorial Day

 

Today is Memorial Day here in the USA.  It's time to give thanks to all those serving our country in the military and of course to remember those we've lost.  

I should see lots of flags flying today when I'm out and about.  

The Ripple Effect

 

I stopped at the Phoenix Art Museum last weekend and on my way in, I noticed how the gusty wind was blowing the flag in front of the museum.  

I decided to take a few shots and see if I could catch it straight out.

I wasn't able to get the shot I wanted but after seeing the photos downloaded, I decided I liked them just the same.  I love the way the fabric has rippled into different shapes.  Watching it was almost hypnotic. 

The 4th of July!

 

Today is the 4th of July or Independence Day here in the U.S.  There will be lots of flags flying in the breeze (if we have a breeze).  One thing is certain, it will be hot.  As I am posting this, the prediction is 112 degrees.

Independence Day!

 

Today is Independence Day here in the U.S.  There will be fireworks and picnics all around.  These days, I'm finding it a little hard to feel very patriotic.  Our country is so divided, I wonder if we will ever heal.  I think I'll just try to enjoy the fireworks and not dwell on the direction things appear to be taking.  At least for just this one day.  Happy 4th of July to all my American readers.  

Pride Month

 

When I visited the Desert Botanical Garden last week, I noticed they were recognizing June as Pride Month.  They had flags at the entrance at the garden information desk and in another spot they had a large flag displayed that was a perfect photo opportunity spot.  

The Phoenix Pride parade and festival won't happen until mid-October.  That's because June is a notoriously HOT month in Phoenix.  Outdoor activities in June are not advised.

Veteran's Day

 

Today is Veteran's Day here in the U.S.  It's a day we celebrate and honor those who have served or are still serving in our armed forces.  There will be parades and other celebrations in all the cities that make up the Phoenix Metropolitan area.  

This is a photo of the flag pole that sits at the memorial to the USS Arizona battleship near the state capitol.  The USS Arizona served in World War II.

Hats off to all veterans everywhere.  

9/11

 

Just a few weeks ago, I found this post card that I had written to my Mom and Dad way back in the late 1970's.  I can't read the exact post mark on the card but it was probably around 1978 or 1979.  I took a trip to Washington D.C. and New York with some friends and I wrote mom and dad about my experience of standing on top of one of the twin towers.

In fact, here's a photo of me standing at the top to admire the view.  

That hair is definitely 1970's hair when we all wanted to look like Farrah Fawcett.

As most of you know, today is the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack that brought these two buildings crashing to the ground.  Finding that post card a few weeks ago seemed very timely and a perfect opportunity to use the card for this post.

I had to do some digging to find the photo of me on the top.

It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since that terrible day.  As with most Americans, I can remember exactly where I was when I heard the news.  I was working one of my contract jobs in San Francisco at the time and I had flown back to that city just the evening before this happened.  So waking up to this news was quite a shock.  I will never forget that evening when I walked to a co-worker's apartment building.  There was not a sole on the street and no air traffic flying over the city.  It was so strangely quiet.

No Stars....Just Stripes

 

Around the 4th of July I am used to seeing lots of flags flying at homes and at businesses.  However, I don't expect to see a Union Jack floating above a house.  Maybe an "expat" is residing here.  Whatever the reason, it was an unusual find and well worth a photo.  

Independence Day

 

Today is Independence Day here in the US of A.  Or, as it is commonly called, The 4th of July!

There will be some celebrating going on here but probably not as much as in other parts of the country.  It is very dry right now and there are many fires in the mountains that surround the valley.  I think the normal fireworks displays will be at a minimum.  Personally, I think I'll watch the show in Washington D.C. on television.  

Since the holiday falls on Sunday this year, offices will be closed on Monday so many people will take advantage of an extra long weekend.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm planning a trip in the fall.

Happy Fourth of July

Nothing is more American than Micky Mouse unless it's a Micky Mouse in red, white and blue stripes and stars.   He is a perfect low-key feature for today's Fourth of July celebrations.  I doubt there will be many public celebrations given the pandemic conditions here.  In my opinion and the opinion of my friends and colleagues there isn't a lot to celebrate this year.  The country is being led by someone who has totally failed at every aspect of his job.  At the beginning of this year we were faced with a global crisis that in some ways should have brought a divided country together with all of us pitching in together to protect each other and get a dangerous virus under control.  Instead, we had a leader at the top who pushed us further apart with his lies and self-serving rhetoric.  And yet, there are still a good sized group of people who continue to stand by him and say he's doing a fine job.  It's a total mystery to me.  If it was as simple as following the Pied Piper I'd say let them go but, it's not that simple because they are taking us over the cliff with them.

So sorry for the rant.  As most of you know I usually try not to bring politics into my blog posts but on this occasion when we should be celebrating the birth of our nation, it seems a perfect time to express my frustrations with the directions of our country.

For those celebrating this American Holiday, be safe out there!

Random Observations

Just a few random observations I've made recently around town.  Here's a guy who loves a wide range of Rock and Roll.  He rolled up next to me at a traffic light.

I spotted this guy talking to someone in a parking lot.  He obviously likes living on the wild side.

An unusual name for a hair salon.  I shot this one through the windshield so its a bit hazy.

A little tableau I noticed at a local antique store.  The brush and mirror and jars are very attractive.

Flying over a house in my neighborhood.  Just a little out of place.

Break Out the Confetti

It's the fourth of July also known as Independence Day here in the good ole' US of A.  There will be fireworks tonight, I'm just not sure where.  We'll see if I can catch any.  Happy Fourth to all my American readers!

Flags and Fireworks

It's Independence Day here in the United States so we have the day off to enjoy family, bar-b-ques and fireworks.  

I took this shot of fireworks last year.  Maybe I'll get more good shots this year.  I'll see what I can do.

Two Flags and a Caboose

There is a house not far from where I live that flies two flags on a flagpole out front.  The top one is of course a U.S. flag and below it the flag of Denmark.  The home is not an embassy or a consulate.  Maybe there is some Danish ancestry being honored here.  It's just a guess.

What is even more interesting to me is the train "caboose" that I see in the home's back yard.  Maybe there is a little railroad history in the family too.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm in the Oregon Wine country.

Walk of Fame

In yesterday's post, I featured the old San Carlos Hotel in downtown Phoenix and I mentioned that a lot of famous people have stayed there.

On the sidewalk in front of the hotel, we have our very own "walk of fame" with gold stars naming some of those famous guests.  Here's Spencer Tracy.

Carol Lombard

Mae West.

And, Jean Harlow.

There are more but, these are the only one's I photographed.  For a while, Phoenix became a little desert escape from the busy life in Hollywood.  Many stars came over here for a little relaxation and according to legend a few came for a little assignation or two.  If those walls could talk!  

Little Kids

When I did my 4th of July post for yesterday, I completely forgot that I had this photo sitting in the wings to use.  This is a sculpture that sits in front of a building that is headquarters for Childhelp, an organization that works with victims of child abuse through education, treatment and prevention programs.

It's such a cute sculpture with all the wee ones looking admiringly at the flag.

The 4th of July

Today is Independence Day or as we call it, the 4th of July.  People will be flying flags, having picnics and waiting for fireworks today.  I thought I'd show you an assortment of "patriotic" decorations starting with the standard honor guard.

A flag draped classic car!  What a beauty!

A flag flying from a high-rise balcony.

Some celebratory yard decorations.

A patriotic salute to diversity.  

And last, my own photographic creation!

Happy Fourth to my American readers!

Flag Day

I'm taking a little break from the intriguing art because today is flag day in the U.S. so it only seems appropriate that I offer up a flag.  I created the artistic framework for a little added pizzaz.