Sunday, July 3, 2016.
The Marines Play At City Park In The Heat.
At the end of Battle Hymn of the Republic at ten o'clock Mass, I decide togive it a big finish with a key change and a high note that surprises even me. If I do it in church, have I committed the sin of pride?
The main item on our agenda was to cross the lake for a concert performed by the U. S. Marine Corps orchestra. It's a bigger unit than I expected, including some instruments I don't expect to hear. And some offbeat music, too, including some works by Charles Ives, who is usually described as America's first modernist composer. I always liked his music, and the Marines pull it off well. Later in the day, a performance that was a bit more puzzling came from some altos and sopranos. But this is enjoyable, too.
[caption id="attachment_52089" align="alignnone" width="480"]
The crowd on the third of July at City Park.[/caption]
While all this went on, Mary Ann and about a dozen members of her family gathers in the crowded lawn that I recall as having once been the tennis courts. MA's parents had a long tradition of going to City Park on big summer holidays with their large brood. MA is one of seven siblings. The tradition is honored as Mary Ann and a few of her siblings and cousins others bring picnic food. Not much to drink, though. And if City Park's food and catering services has any refreshments for sale, we couldn't find them. Still, the afternoon is pleasant enough, and I run into a lot of people I know, some from many years ago.
[caption id="attachment_52088" align="alignnone" width="480"]
Sunset at City Park on the Third of July.[/caption]
The Marines keep going until sunset, whose colors are unusually striking. Then the fireworks begin. We don't get home until ten. I have not had much to eat all day, but I hardly notice it. I will remember this day fondly.
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Monday, The Fourth Of July, 2016.
Replacement Cheeseburger.
MA and I have breakfast at Mattina Bella in Covington. We are glad to see it open for business, even though to get immediate service we sit at one of the outdoor tables. MA likes that. I don't, but I let the other side win.
The way things look, if I don't cut the grass by about three in the afternoon, I will be rained out. It's the hottest part of the day. The old Bear Alignment thermometer on the back shed says it is indeed a hundred degrees. Then I hit a root that goobers up the cutting blades. I keep going and it gets better, but I will have to fix this before the next trim.
MA was out on the lake with her kayak. She feels the sun even more than I do. She tells me later that she came close to having a heat stroke. She would not admit that if it hadn't been true.
That confession came during lunch at The Chimes. Our first idea was to head over to La Carreta, but the locations in both Mandeville and Covington are taking the day off. I don't think there is anything that needs to be said as to the Mexican view of American Independence Day.
For decades, I celebrated the Fourth Of July by getting a cheeseburger--unarguably the most American of dishes– at McDonald's, the most famous of hamburger assemblers. Two years ago, the cheeseburger was so terrible that I killed the tradition permanently.
[caption id="attachment_52087" align="alignnone" width="480"]
A jalepeno cheeseburger at The Chimes.[/caption]
However, neither my radio listeners nor the burger-loving Mary Ann will let me must drop it. MA has an idea: I will continue to have a cheeseburger every Fourth of July, but it will be from the best source I can think of, a different maker every year. Hence The Chimes. I don't think much of most of their food, but they do prepare an excellent burger. After a dozen grilled oysters, the two of us split the $9.50 jalapeno bacon job. There is still more to be taken home. A new tradition is hereby ordained.
The crowd on the third of July at City Park.[/caption]
While all this went on, Mary Ann and about a dozen members of her family gathers in the crowded lawn that I recall as having once been the tennis courts. MA's parents had a long tradition of going to City Park on big summer holidays with their large brood. MA is one of seven siblings. The tradition is honored as Mary Ann and a few of her siblings and cousins others bring picnic food. Not much to drink, though. And if City Park's food and catering services has any refreshments for sale, we couldn't find them. Still, the afternoon is pleasant enough, and I run into a lot of people I know, some from many years ago.
[caption id="attachment_52088" align="alignnone" width="480"]
Sunset at City Park on the Third of July.[/caption]
The Marines keep going until sunset, whose colors are unusually striking. Then the fireworks begin. We don't get home until ten. I have not had much to eat all day, but I hardly notice it. I will remember this day fondly.
[divider type=""]
A jalepeno cheeseburger at The Chimes.[/caption]
However, neither my radio listeners nor the burger-loving Mary Ann will let me must drop it. MA has an idea: I will continue to have a cheeseburger every Fourth of July, but it will be from the best source I can think of, a different maker every year. Hence The Chimes. I don't think much of most of their food, but they do prepare an excellent burger. After a dozen grilled oysters, the two of us split the $9.50 jalapeno bacon job. There is still more to be taken home. A new tradition is hereby ordained.
