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Wow! June has only one more day to go and this year will be half over. It has been a typically hot and dry month with very little rainfall. The drought seems to be reaching epic conditions. We haven’t had any measurable rain fall in several weeks, and in watching TV weather forecasts, it doesn’t seem as if we will have it any time soon.
My week has been quiet (for me!). Monday was my Pokeno day, and I really enjoyed being with the ladies, we had a great time; Tuesday was gift shop day, this was my last time to work a full day, as next week, I’ll be back working my regular afternoon shift. Wednesday and Thursday were my days this week to do laundry, errands and some housekeeping; and help that evening, at our weekly bingo, and Friday, it was back to a combination of working in the gift shop and in the lobby selling tickets, we’re almost at the deadline, with the drawing being on July 1! The beautiful wheelchairs we’re giving the hospital came in today. It seems as if there is always a shortage of them. If someone comes into the medical building, the chairs are by the front door, same thing if someone comes in needing one for ER, they’re in the medical building.
Father’s Day weekend was beautiful and very quiet for me, however, my sister invited me over for dinner that evening, and we had a good time together, as well as her usual delicious food and dessert. She and her children were actually celebrating it on Monday due to work schedules and such.
This coming Monday is 4th of July with all of it’s attendant celebrations, picnics and parades. Fireworks will probably fill the skies at least over the lake at the park in Cuero, as they usually have a nice display, I haven’t heard for sure if it will happen this year or not. At this time we are under the usual no burn ruling that seems to have been in place nearly year-round during the time I’ve live here!
The following article is from a magazine section that was a part of The Devine News during the 30’s and 40’s. It still sounds as if it is as true today as it was then, doesn’t it? And, yes, we’re under a burn ban now, in DeWitt, Lavaca and Victoria counties. The Victoria paper stated Thursday that fireworks wouldn’t even be sold in Victoria county this year due to the dangers of fire!
June – 1937 A Saner and Tamer Fourth – Newspapers have long been advocating a saner and tamer celebration of the Fourth of July. Formerly, they had much to say about deaths from fireworks; these were frequently horrible deaths of children after prolonged suffering from lockjaw, the germs of which had gained entrance into the bodies of the victims by means of slight wounds caused by toy pistols or other forms of explosives. There has been a slight diminution of deaths from this cause, but the Fourth seems to be bringing an added increase of deaths from drowning, automobile and other accidents.
We hope our patriotic day will not continue a harvest of casualties; that we will learn to celebrate it sensibly and cautiously; that boys will not be too venturesome in water; that drivers of automobiles will realize the Fourth as the most dangerous day in the year when more people are on roads, many of them without sense or discretion.
For the entire nation, there were nearly 400 killed in accidents the Fourth of July, 1936. Is it too much to hope that such number may be cut in half this year?
(Don’t we wish that we would only have as few as 400 killed in this day and time on the Fourth, alas, those days are gone forever)!
From The Devine News in a 1967 paper, this is what Dr. Glenn Smith had to say about patriotism. Flag Waving – Do not feel ‘corny’, or ‘square’, or ‘out of date’, if you felt a little stirring of patriotism in your heart last Tuesday, July 4th. That feeling is never out of date, although it would seem so in this day. It is still a good thing for Americans to be proud of being Americans. It is still noble to have a “lump in the throat” when you see “Old Glory” flying on a staff or passing in a parade.
No one is born patriotic. It is acquired through teaching and experience, like religion. Like religion, it has to have habitual practice lest it fade and wither. Patriotism is instilled in the next generation by the teaching and example of the previous generation.
What are you doing to pass on pride of homeland to your children? What kind of citizens will they be? What will be their reaction to the flag, the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance?
That was in 1967, today in 2022; those words are still very apt. Since then we have had 9-11 and perhaps an awareness of freedom and pride that we didn’t have back then.
Independence Day, more commonly known as Fourth of July, is probably the most important secular holiday celebrated in the United States. It commemorates the anniversary of the adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence, which announced the breaking of ties between the 13 American Colonies and England.
We now celebrate with fireworks, picnics and get-togethers in general and try to have a good but safe time. Don’t forget to fly your flag on this day.
If you are planning a trip over the holiday, always remember to be careful of the driver of the car, in the car behind the car in front of you! In other words, pay attention to what you are doing at all times. Keep your mind on your driving, keep your hands on the wheel, don’t talk or text on the cell phone, and keep your eyes watching your surroundings, be aware of what is taking place around you. (If you absolutely have to use the phone, pull over to the side of the road until you finish talking or texting).
If you are planning on staying at home, keep as cool as it is possible to do. Drink plenty of water, and take care not to get too overheated. You do not want to have a heat stroke or other heat related problems that could be controlled by staying indoors during the heat of the day and by replacing body fluids with liquids, other than alcoholic beverages. Do not forget to protect yourself with sunscreen. Sunburn is one of the most uncomfortable things there is. The best cure is prevention, but milk of magnesia, kept in the fridge and gently patted on the skin, is a great antidote. Also, cooled, brewed tea patted on, or even just cloths repeatedly wrung out in cold water will help ease the burning. There are some excellent commercial remedies on the market, but these three are all old timers!
Savory Seasoned Burgers
2 pounds lean ground meat
1 teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
8 hamburger buns.
Heat grill. In medium bowl, combine all ingredients except buns; mix well. Shape mixture into 8 patties. To barbecue, place patties on gas grill over medium-high heat, or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium-high coals. Cook 10 to 15 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, turning once. (It’s time to turn the meat when you see little dribbles down the sides of the patties.) Serve on buns with lettuce, sliced tomato, onion and pickles, if desired. (These can also be either baked in the oven or cooked on top of the stove, I done both!).
Some members of my family like to add sliced jalapeños, bacon, cheese and maybe even sliced avocados to their hamburgers. Not exactly healthy, but truly delicious!
Baked Beans
2 cans pork & beans 15-oz size or 1 can 32-oz size
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup diced green bell pepper
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup prepared barbecue sauce
Several strips, thin-sliced bacon
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Dice bacon and fry until crisp. Drain well on paper towels and set aside. In 1½ to 2 quart round casserole dish, combine beans with remaining ingredients. Mix together. Sprinkle bacon pieces on top. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes.