happy 4th!

Because of so many other responsibilities lately, I've morphed into a person who doesn't make pictures every single day. I've always felt strongly that our picture making muscles - the ones required for visualization, framing, composition and timing - need to regularly be stretched, strengthened, pushed and conditioned. So tonight, as dusk was setting and the pops and cracks of Independence day celebrations were lighting up the sky, I got out my camera and went for a walk. The clouds were filling up with moisture and growing more ominous with each passing minute. Kids and their parents were busy with sparklers, smoke bombs and firecrackers. I walked through the thick Midwestern air, an occasional raindrop falling here and there, with the sole purpose of making pictures... maybe nothing important or even worth saving. But for me, the act of simply carrying the camera always leads to a sharper look around - and a fuller appreciation of what surrounds me. I did manage to make a picture I like, though what was clear is that I need to get back into a regular exercise program.

My extraordinary friend and fellow photographer/blogger, Aline Smithson, asked her readers to submit pictures that conjure up the spirit of Independence Day, Lots of readers responded. When you have a few minutes, treat yourself by scrolling through Aline's 4th of July Exhibition.There are, of course, as many interpretations of a subject as there are people with cameras, and here you really get the full sense of that.

parade pics

independence day

My neighborhood takes July 4th pretty seriously.

This day will begin with a parade down 57th Street. In the parade will be kids on bikes that have been carefully adorned with red, white and blue streamers, crepe paper, and ribbons. (My favorite technique for jazzing up my bike when I was of parade participation age was to attach playing cards with clothespins to the spokes – made the coolest sound when I sped by.) Leading the parade will be a group of aging but enthusiastic brass musicians, decked out in patriotic colors, playing “You’re a Grand Ole Flag” and other July 4th favorites. There will be dogs in star-studded attire, some even wearing hats. Those in the neighborhood who own convertibles will also be in the parade, driving slowly, careful to dodge the tricycles, wheelchairs and lawn furniture.

At the end of the parade is a pile of popsicles. The kids instantly get orange and red stains around their mouths. The sticky stuff drips onto their toes, as the parents stand around and talk. The dogs try to shake off their hats.

Later there will be a homemade fireworks display on 58th Street. Those with high levels of testosterone in their systems will bring out paper bags full of artillery. Now, we have a lot of guys on the block, and regardless of their age, they love setting things on fire and blowing things up. So, we get quite a show. The girls dance around the edges of the display, twirling sparklers and occasionally lighting smoke bombs or snakes. The moms (along with the dads and sons with not so high levels of testosterone) gather on the lawn in the middle of the block. There are margaritas and green and white strapped lawn chairs.

Last night during dinner the block behind ours got a head start on the holiday. I wandered over there and made these pictures.

Even as I was trying to fall asleep around 11, I could still hear the blasts, followed by hoops and hollers and applause.