In-dee-pen-dent!
So for my readers who do not hail from the U.S. of A., here's what the day is actually about...
It's generally celebrated with fireworks and family get-togethers (sometimes this is the same thing), in particular picnics and BBQs. My sibs and I take turns trading off with holidays. I usually get Thanksgiving and the 4th of July, and we do indeed celebrate with a family barbecue. This year the menu is hot dogs, hamburgers, leftover lobster tails, cupcakes, watermelon, root beer floats, stuffed baked potatoes, corn on the cob...the food just keeps coming.
There will be swimming and there will often be some kind of -- yes, believe it or not -- sing-a-long. (I bet most of you didn't know that about me!) ;-D We probably won't be able to see fireworks at the new house, but who knows?
I must be feeling fairly settled because I actually bought a flag this year. One of those big Betsy Ross 13 Colony things. We've never put a flag out before! But our friends at Chase Bank gave us a flag pole when we signed our loan docs, and it seems only fitting to put it to work.
So Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans. And to the rest of you, Happy Weekend!
And in keeping with the latest traditions of the holiday, I am running a brief sale on my short stories over at Smashwords. All short stories are .99 a piece today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday). You need a code -- they're listed below. It's been quite a while since I've run any sales and I'm just feeling kind of generous right now. So enjoy.
A Limited Engagement - YY78R
Baby, it's Cold - KQ26N
In Sunshine or In Shadow - FQ37Y
In a Dark Wood - WC35z
Heart Trouble - HL34S
In Plain Sight - QQ42C
Merry Christmas, Darling - GS79L
Perfect Day - WP86D
The French Have a Word for it - AQ24Q
Until We Meet Once More - ZA32Q
Wedding Favors - LV76P
Wizard's Moon - XL23Y
Happy Independence Day! That video was not how I remembered! I had no idea Rudolf was so jiggy. The Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. I must like to blow shit up. Have a good day with your family, enjoying your new pool, BBQing, and celebrating your independence. MmmMmm, grilled corn on the cob and homemade ice cream.
ReplyDeleteTimes change, and Rudy has changed with them. ;-D
DeleteHi Josh,
ReplyDeleteWow, so many firsts at the new home! The thought of watermelon and root beer floats sounds divine. Yum. Plus, of course, a dip in the pool! What was that address again? Have a super safe and festive time with family and friends. Oh, and about those book codes? If I ever don't buy one of your stories on the first day they are released, perhaps I'll get a chance to use one someday. :-)
Thank you for the sale! :D I grew up in the country, so the 4th was a picnic during the day with a massive fireworks display in our backyard when the sun went down. My brother was 10 yrs older and usually ran the activities. (being older now, I wonder where my dad was, but picnic beer might have had something to do with his absence) All the kids from the high school would come and throw out blankets on the grass and our one and only neighbor would climb onto his roof to watch the show. One year someone dropped a lit cigarette into one of the display boxes. I will say up front that, thankfully, no one was hurt, but the scramble and the massive explosions and the bottle rockets whizzing past my head are still remembered. The neighbor knocked his ladder over in his haste to exit the roof and was trapped up there, running from one side to the other dodging explosions. Though I've seen a lot of displays through the years, the 4th has seemed much tamer ever since that night. :) I hope the party in your new home is no less exciting, but much, much safer. Happy 4th of July, Josh!
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth of July! Be safe, have fun!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July, Josh. Have a wonderful time with your loved ones. It sounds like you guys are going to have a brilliant, tasty ;-) celebration! And yeah, I would LOVE to be there to witness that sing-a-long... :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time with your family, And after reading Karan's post, please be safe!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!have a godd time with your family <3
ReplyDeleteWe'll be hunkered down at home hoping that the neighbors don't burn the house down with their fireworks. On the plus side, we'll have a close up view of said fireworks. Thankfully it rained heavily last night.
ReplyDeleteI hope your first celebration in your new home goes well. Here in the UK it is very hot (or at least, we think it is!) so I enjoy looking at your picture of that beautiful beach.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and happy 4th. Thanks for the short story sale, but I buy your books hot off the press. Relax and enjoy. Judy
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July guys hope you all have a great day with plenty of food and fun, though it does sound like Josh has that covered It's a special day for us to cause its my sons birthday I have no idea why but I love saying my son was born on the 4th of July, and thanks for the sale Josh unfortunately I have all this...hope everybody has a great day.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful first holiday celebration in your new home. Happy Independence Day! Thanks for the sale but I also buy them as soon as they're published. I'm just too excited to read them as you write them to wait. I'll be celebrating with you in Canada with my American friends that I've made in my winter home there. I've met some very wonderful people in the US, and am so happy they've accepted me into their homes and hearts.
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth of July! I hope you have a wonderful time! :-)
ReplyDeleteKC
I was checking your last year's coda and found that the coda from this http://joshlanyon.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-coda-24.html is currently not available due to the blog is set to private.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. That was a little giftie to Barb who ran that blog. I thought she returned, but maybe not.
DeleteAnyway, the coda is included in the Merry Christmas, Darling collection -- all but last year's codas are there and they are edited and, in several cases, longer.
Ah... Ok, I totally forgot about the collection :D.
Deletehehe yay for the sale I already bought them all drat it but good fortune to others:) fireworks rock,
ReplyDeleteaishen