How was your holiday weekend? How was the 4th or Canada Day for you? To paraphrase Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, the time of my life was had this weekend. It started Friday with time alone with the husband. Saturday was the farmer’s market in the morning and the pool in the afternoon. Sunday was a ride in the convertible and time spent outdoors. It was just too glorious to stay inside.
To top it off, we headed to the city yesterday for the 4th of July celebrations. We started at Independence Hall, where we were able to get seats for the Sons of the Revolution ceremony, which featured the reverend from Valley Forge Chapel – our church (more his than mine). We were treated with a men and boys choir that was just phenomenal. The colors of the revolution (state flags along with flags like Daniel Morgan’s rifle company) were marched out with a bagpiper leading them. The ceremonial tapping of the Liberty Bell at 2 pm and we were sufficiently moved. Nothing makes you feel patriotic more than understanding just what these people were attempting – treason if they failed, liberty if they succeeded.
We hung out around the city, catching miniature performances everywhere, from militias being formed by tourists (and their first mustering in was entertaining) to street musicians. July 4th is the only day the city doesn’t enforce its policy on no feet in the fountains. Love Park was loaded with people and the water was great, especially after we’d walked all day. We spied a Starbucks across the street and went in. We were the last customers, and as such, the barista gave us his last tickets – we had VIP seats for the concert in front of the Art Museum.
And what a treat that was! The Roots, a local band, were the reason we went, and they were fantastic per usual. Then there was Sara Barielles, Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers), Estelle, DJ Jazzy Jeff (what a talent!), Eddie Levert (Ojays) and a surprise guest group – Boyz II Men. Just when we thought we couldn’t get any better, out comes Earth, Wind and Fire. Then the fireworks, which were as they should be in a place where the country took shape. We’re doing this again next year. Definitely.
Up late today as a result. Despite our fears, we didn’t hit much traffic at all coming home. We were in our beds by one this morning. So today, no one is getting much out of me.
I do have work (amen), and I picked up a project Friday just as I was shutting down the computer. It’s an annual client, not exactly sustaining for very long, but it’s welcome right now. I have to get back in touch with a potential client later today (after my nap might be best), and I have a small project to finish this morning. After that, I’m coasting. Marketing may happen (should happen), but if it doesn’t I’m not going to punish myself too badly.
How about you? How was your holiday? What’s in store for you this week?
11 responses to “Celebration and Recovery”
I can only wish my holiday weekend were like yours. The good news: I got another small check on Friday. Saturday morning I deposited my checks (hooray) and bought groceries. came home and after a small lunch I was working….until nearly 6 PM.
My one break? Giving my dog a bath. Thankfully Miss Lily was very cooperative this time. She got in the tub all by herself, she cooperated as I lathered her up, but she wanted to bolt as soon as it was time to rinse (she hates the sound of the rinse water hitting the bath water). She reluctantly let me finish rinsing her, and then she thoroughly enjoyed being toweled off.
Sunday I read the newspaper and the dishes and checked e-mail and Twitter before working. I worked from about 2:00 – 5:30.
I should have written two articles on the 4th but came to my senses. I declared my own independence. Neither client pays nearly enough to get me to give up an entire weekend, let along a holiday. I vacuumed and did laundry. Woo-hoo! The highlight of the day was making watermelon slush. So good. I'll make more this afternoon.
Apparently the renters have moved into the former foreclosure two doors down. I didn't know anyone had moved in until they started their own little pyrotechnics show that lasted from about 10:30 to midnight. I don't begrudge folks a little fireworks fun on the 4th, but I can't imagine how many hundreds of dollars worth of illegal fireworks they shot off (mostly because I don't know how much any of those things cost). Not the best way to introduce yourself to your new neighborhood, but at least the brunt of the noise was over by midnight. I hope the other 364 days of the year they're not quite so…bombastic.
It was a very busy weekend. We went over to a relative's house that has a pool, so my son swam for hours. We had a nice BBQ and hung out on the deck until late evening. The weather here was perfect, low 80's and no humidity. My son was lucky enough to win a raffle at a local fireworks stand, so we had $200 worth of fireworks to light up. I went to bed around 1:30. I had to make sure the cat wasn't too freaked out. I'm tired today, but I had a great camping trip last week and a wonderful 4th so all is good. I need to complete an interview this week. Lori check your inbox. 🙂 Then I need to identify some more markets and then sell my butt off. Lots to do with only a four day week.
It was a good weekend. Lots of reading, writing, relaxing. Yoga on the Beach this morning. Interview w/a client this afternoon. Contact w/a publisher who wants me to pitch her editor on some article ideas. Encouragement to do a non-fiction proposal.
I've got a lot of work to do on the Mermaid Ball this week, so everything else has to work around that.
I'm hoping for a busy, happy week.
Glad you declared your independence, Paula! Good for you.
Little do those neighbors know that any insurance they may have been smart enough to carry would refuse coverage on fireworks-related claims. If it's illegal in your state, it's not covered.
Welcome back, Wade! Glad the camping trip went well. Good weather, I hope?
Sounds like you're already starting on a good week, Devon. 🙂
It was a weekend of loving the opportunity to dog-sit my sister's family dog. She's an adorable white, miniature schnauzer, named Kali.
It's been fun having a dog in the house again. It's been a long time since we had a black lab-a bit bigger than Kali.
🙂
Our summer weather has finally hit as we hit the 90s so I'm trying to adjust my training walks for early morning so they don't scrape me off the pavement.
Lots of work on my plate this short week, so I guess I'd better get cracking. Have a great week, everyone!
Glad your dog sitting is going well, Cathy. It IS nice to have a pet in the house again, even for a short time. 🙂
On the actual 4th, I stayed home and played Zynga games all day. 🙂 But the 3rd, we had a cookout at the in-laws, and everybody played frisbee in their back yard (my in-laws are in their late 70's, so I was surprised and impressed). Played board games for the rest of the night, with a brief respite checking out the local fireworks from their side window.
I love Independence Hall! I want to go back and do that again, but, unfortunately, I hate getting their! I do NOT drive those nasty highways or in a city, so that leaves the train. And 30th St Station isn't a pleasant place to walk from, so that means either Septa (evil bad- unfamiliar public transport) or a taxi (evil bad- unfamiliar driver that I have to pay a lot of money to). So, Philly is a less than pleasant place for me, despite the fact that I really like actually being in old town.
It's a bit of a surreal experience, isn't it? Walking down the street and looking at buildings that were there before our country existed as a country…
Ah, wordvixen. I must introduce you to Suburban Street station. 🙂 Just take the train into 30th, hop on that "evil" Septa train and travel one stop. One. Probably won't even be asked for a ticket. You're now at 16th and JFK Blvd., with the fireworks well within reach (and view, from Love Park). Or…. take the train one more stop to Market Street. You're now at the convention center and in the middle of Chinatown. From there, Independence Hall is a few short blocks.
You might do well with those pedi-cabs or…. a carriage ride? 🙂
I dropped my parents off at the airport this morning after their extended weekend trip! They arrived in town on Wednesday afternoon, and we spent all weekend playing tourist. It was a fantastic visit, but now I'm stressed about all the work that's piling up in my inbox. I know that's a good thing, but I'm going to have to work double-time this week to catch up. I'm not too worried though… I've been masquerading as Superwoman since January 🙂
Hah – Lori. These new neighbors are in a low-end rental house. Odd are they don't even have renter's insurance.