Fourth of July Chat

I was just about to start today's chat when I noticed this.  Karen, I wish you and everyone suffering with that heat could get some relief.  We've been so lucky to have a slight break here. 

We have a ban on fireworks again this year.   The city will have a big celebration and fireworks display at a local lake and I think the air force will put on their huge display but none of that is close to us and for that I'm grateful.

I am looking forward to Sea World.  We're going to go fairly early to beat the heat of the late afternoon.  They opened a new section of the park that has a place to interact with some sting rays and other stuff I've forgotten.  It's ridiculously expensive though so we'll probably not do that today.  Regular admission is pricey enough. 

Sending good vibes to all the dogs who freak at the fireworks and hoping that the people in the northeast without power get restored soon.

Happy Fourth of July to everyone! 

Have fun at sea world. For some reason I really liked the turtles there.

I am trying not to be a scrooge, but last night the loser family (the one with police at their door and screaming kids) did fireworks out on the street until 1 a.m. I kept thinking if my lawn starts on fire I am going to commit bloody murder. It has been all over the news, discouraging people from using fireworks. Theres an outright ban in every town around us, just not ours. Anyway, just when I thought they were done and I would drift off to sleep, off would go another set. I had to remind myself that this is a happy holiday and people deserve their fun haha.

It sounds like everyone around us got rain yesterday. Even as close as 10 miles away they got downpours. Nothing here though. Not even a threat of it. Btw, how do you get rid of scale? Many of my plants seem to have it this year. :(

I am supposed to spend the day at my brothers, but with the forecast going to 105 there won't be much fun to be had. We wanted to go kayaking but the rivers are pretty much dry. Mountain biking might be an option since it is cooler in the woods. Hmmm

I hope b lasts tonight!

Happy 4th of July!! I hope Bugsy and all the other dogs do okay with the fireworks. I have no idea how Shane will do but he hasn't shown any signs of a problem with loud noises yet. Only safe & sane fireworks are allowed here but some of our neighbors really go all out and our cul de sac turns into it's very own fireworks display.

DH left super early for a bike ride down by the river. I think I'll get a workout in and maybe go do some shopping. It's supposed to be mid 90ish but it's still nice and cool this morning. I'm just so excited to have 5 days off that I can hardly stand it.

My aunt/Godmother isn't doing well. She ended up in the hospital with a low heart rate and dizziness. They said she had a bad valve but was too old to do a valve replacement surgery, so they put in a pacemaker. They also put her on some medications to help regulate her BP but she's struggled with confusion ever since and is now in a nursing home to try to get her strength back. I'm afraid she's probably never going home since she lives alone and that'd be for the best but it's still sad.

 

 

Oh Jackie Seaworld sounds so fun! I would love to go there some day.I found out last night Turbo is not bothered by fireworks.He must have been feeding off Jewel's anxiety last year.Hope that Zanax works for B.Don't go bloody murder on those neighbors of yours Jewelee,but maybe wait till they are sleeping and bang some trashcan lids under their bedroom window.I think I'll do Kabobs on the grill today,I can't bring myself to heat up the oven.It seems cosmically unfair that I have to shovel snow 5 months of the year and then endure heat and humidity like this.It was downright sultry at 5am.

                                                                                        Tena

Edited to add....Sorry about your Godmother Cathy that is really sad.It's good she has you to visit.

 Cathy, fingers and paws crossed for your grandmother.

Sea World sounds like so much fun. I haven't been to any of them for probably at least 15 years. I was only ever at the one in Orlando actually. Last I was there, it was with my grandmother, so it was before 1999. I'd love to go again. It seems like they turned them into more of amusement parks now, with rides and things, and I really feel like that would take away from what it is supposed to be.

It's supposed to rain tonight, but hopefully not when the fireworks are supposed to be. Until then, I think I'm just sitting around avoiding the heat. 

Happy 4th everyone!

Jewliee, I can relate to your frustration over neighbors and their annoying fireworks.  Our neighborhood has several families that set off dozens of them (despite the professional display in walking distance later tonight).  All our houses are insanely close together, so the risk is high for a burning ember or something to land on a roof, deck, etc.  And the noise factor is ridiculous -- Ruby has been barking and pacing everytime she hears even the "little" pops that have been going off this week.  It's going to be a very long night!

My SIL and BIL arrived last night, and we were to do a BBQ here with my MIL today, but DH woke up with a horrible sore throat and chest congestion, so my MIL doesn't want to be exposed to him.  SIL and BIL will visit with her today, then they'll be back for dinner this evening.  Kind of a bummer . . . but at least it's sunny and due to reach 70-75 today.  I really feel for all of you suffering with awful heat.

I hope everyone enjoys the holiday!

Edited to add -- sending some good vibes to your Godmother, Cathy.  It is sad to see someone decline to the point where they can no longer stay in their own home.  That transition may be necessary for their health and medical needs, but it so often takes a major toll on the person's mental state or "spirit."

Sorry about your aunt/godmother, Cathy.  It's really hard to watch someone slowly go downhill.

Davis has a ban on fireworks that's pretty strictly enforced.  The police patrol even looking for sparklers.  I kind of wish the whole state would ban them.  There's always some fool that winds up setting someone's house on fire. After seeing what Colorado is dealing with, I'm surprised there isn't a ban in all the western states.

I picked up a really yummy carton of hummus at the grocery store - it has roasted pine nuts in it.  I think I'm going to have some of it for lunch. 

Joyce

 

Hugs for you, Cathy.

We had fireworks here last night--Mozey does not like the noise at all. She did respond really well to some generalized pressure (almost full body--instead of pressure points). (I felt like I was back studying Temple Grandin's writings :-) I'm not sure Sinbad even noticed the noise--that's my boy!

I started harvesting the garlic yesterday. Oh, what fun! I decided to cure it in the house, so it's hanging in a part I don't use much. The whole place smells like garlic. I think this is a good thing :-)

Happy 4th of July all!

 

 Julie I confess I would have called the police. I enjoy professionally monitored fireworks but am very aware of the danger. Last year we had a moron on our cul de sac setting off huge fireworks essentially right outside our door. DH the ex-cop got peeved, called the cops and it was a huge deal. The morons are rednecks and had been drinking heavily so the whole thing was unsafe. There is no doubt that the whole thing is part of why B is as bad as he is now. This year I am surprised with our current heatwave and dry spell that they haven't been banned. Everything is so very dry and we've had significant winds too so it won't take much to be a disaster.

As for B, it is so clear when you pay attention that the noise isn't the issue it is the flashing light. Its heartbreaking to watch especially since until last year he used to love storms and would want to be out in the yard wandering

I kind of want to go downtown for the festivities but its rumbling and threatening storms and over 100* so not sure what we'll do

Cathy I am so very sorry - it is always difficult

FrisbyPI

The whole place smells like garlic. I think this is a good thing!

Actually, I'm SURE it's a good thing, Kate!  Who needs floral air fresheners when you can smell garlic?!

Karen, would you please send your DH here to serve as the retired cop in our neighborhood tonight?  There are at least two households that will have illegal fireworks.

I wish it was only the flashing that bothered Ruby -- but so far, all her panic barking has been when she hears booms even in broad daylight (like this afternoon).  The kids two doors down were just throwing those little popper things that make a loud snap when they hit the ground, and she was at the fenceline barking her head off.  I hadn't thought about applying some pressure to her body as a possible calming remedy.  We'll have to try that.  Maybe we'll put one of her tighter winter coats on her tonight.  It could be like a thundershirt maybe.

Sigh.  Good thing this is only a once-a-year holiday!

Cathy, it's really sad about your Aunt and I know how hard it is for her and her loved ones.

I really get mad about idiots and fireworks.  I'd probably have called the cops Julie, although I would have had to argue with DH as he doesn't like to make waves in the neighborhood. 

We had a great time at Sea World.  I'm so glad we got there early.  We were tired after walking around for 5 hours and it got pretty hot as the day wore on.  The Shamu show always makes me cry for some reason.  I've probably seen the killer whale show several dozen times but something about it just moves me to tears.  One of the whales has a calf and everyone was thrilled to see it make an appearance. :)  They also had two seal pups at the seal exhibit and we watched one nursing.  So adorable.  The other mother and pup pair played and played and their grace and agility in the water is just incredible.

I hope everyone has had a nice holiday.  It's back to work tomorrow but it was so nice to have a midweek break. :)

Jackie - I'm so glad you had a good time and I too was moved to tears by some of the performances. Such amazing creatures.

I wish I could visit my aunt but she's in southern calif., so it's a 7 hour drive. She was the one who watched over my uncle, my dad and her husband, my dad's brother, as their health failed. Sadly, there isn't a lot of family left to watch over her but there is a good friend and she is keeping us updated. My prayer is if she can't rebound from this downturn that she passes quickly and peacefully. She'd never want to linger in a semi-lucid state.

I'm off for the next few days but DH has to get up super early, so I'm hoping the festivities aren't too big and wrap up early. I have Rescue Remedy in case we need it for Shane but hopefully we won't.

Karen - do you know what it was that made Bugsy become fearful and nervous?

 so glad you had a nice day Jackie

Pretty boring here - but very happy that we finally got some rain from a storm - we didn't go downtown due to the storm and DH just put the Godfather on (insert eyeroll)

Cathy the tornadoes last year seemed to be the turning point for B - I'll shoot you an email/pm with the whole chain of events. Of course the lightning strike just outside the house in May didn't help

My brothers dog is afraid of fireworks too. I happen to have my thundershirt in my car so I put it on her before we left and turned on the radio. As soon as I put the thundershirt on her she walked in her crate and flopped on the pillow. I hope she does all right while we are gone.

My bro, sil and I rode our bikes to the firework show and the kids got a ride with the neighbors. Funny, we got to the park before they did :) we are allllll sweaty though. It is freaking hot! Ok i know I am complaining about the weather a lot but geez lol this is MI for cryin out loud. It is supposed to be 70 not 100 ;p anyway, we have an hour to kill before the show and I am seriously considering jumping in the lake that is staring me in the face :) wish we would have brought some frisbees or something