I can't believe this Fourth, will be my 48th....where do the years go.??!!
Having time to reflect back on past Fourths, many memories flood my mind.
People, food, family outings, fireworks, friends, girlfriends.....the list of memories past goes on and on.
One of my earliest memories...My Granddad wanted to buy a pair of new Tony Lama boots at Langstons in Packin' Town. So, he takes me with him to OKC for a Granddad/Grandson outing. I must have been 6 or 7 years old...at most...1969/70?
Getting off the interstate, going over the bridge of the North Canadian/Oklahoma River...at the South end of the bridge on the East side of the road was a firecracker stand. I looked at that firecracker stand like a hungry dog looking at a bone.
My Granddad didn't say a word and drove on to Langstons to get those Tony Lamas.
After the purchase of the boots and lunch, it was time to head back to Chandler. I had forgot about the firecracker stand. Driving North on Agnew,we approached the stand and my old Granddad pulled in.
Looking at the rows of fireworks, dazzeled and amazed, I didn't know what to say. The lady working the stand asked what I wanted. Perplexed, she started to explain what each one did and what was safe for a youngster like me. Well, my Granddad caught wind of this lady helping me and told her in certain and determined wording, no Grandson of his was going to get or shoot those sissy, pantywaste fireworks!!
He demanded to know where the blackcats amd popbottle rockets were at!!!
The lady fearing for my safety started to explain the safety issues .....when my Granddad told her he wanted $20 bucks of each....blackcats and popbottle rockets....nothin'else!!! The 4th was in a few days, and my Granddad wanted me to have the best....well, maybe the most dangerous for a 7 year old....but the best.
Let me tell you.....that fourth was one of the best. My Grandad baby sat me and 4 of my cousins...a little older than me and they brought their own fireworks.
Granddad was in the living room asleep by 10:00am....resting his eyes, as he called it.
My cousins and I blew up those big, red ant piles. Threw fireworks at each other and shot bottle rockets on the roof of his house, at each other, and into the creek.
By 3:00 that afternoon, I couldn't hear and my fingers were so sore from holding and trying to throw those quick fuse blackcats.
Here's to you Grand Dad.....there will never be another like you and never another 1st time, to shoot fireworks on my own. Many Fourths have come and gone and I have done some crazy things, but I always think of you amd those blackcats amd pop bottle rockets!!! Kids.....cousins.....no school...no worries.....fireworks...what a memory.
Cohiba
Having time to reflect back on past Fourths, many memories flood my mind.
People, food, family outings, fireworks, friends, girlfriends.....the list of memories past goes on and on.
One of my earliest memories...My Granddad wanted to buy a pair of new Tony Lama boots at Langstons in Packin' Town. So, he takes me with him to OKC for a Granddad/Grandson outing. I must have been 6 or 7 years old...at most...1969/70?
Getting off the interstate, going over the bridge of the North Canadian/Oklahoma River...at the South end of the bridge on the East side of the road was a firecracker stand. I looked at that firecracker stand like a hungry dog looking at a bone.
My Granddad didn't say a word and drove on to Langstons to get those Tony Lamas.
After the purchase of the boots and lunch, it was time to head back to Chandler. I had forgot about the firecracker stand. Driving North on Agnew,we approached the stand and my old Granddad pulled in.
Looking at the rows of fireworks, dazzeled and amazed, I didn't know what to say. The lady working the stand asked what I wanted. Perplexed, she started to explain what each one did and what was safe for a youngster like me. Well, my Granddad caught wind of this lady helping me and told her in certain and determined wording, no Grandson of his was going to get or shoot those sissy, pantywaste fireworks!!
He demanded to know where the blackcats amd popbottle rockets were at!!!
The lady fearing for my safety started to explain the safety issues .....when my Granddad told her he wanted $20 bucks of each....blackcats and popbottle rockets....nothin'else!!! The 4th was in a few days, and my Granddad wanted me to have the best....well, maybe the most dangerous for a 7 year old....but the best.
Let me tell you.....that fourth was one of the best. My Grandad baby sat me and 4 of my cousins...a little older than me and they brought their own fireworks.
Granddad was in the living room asleep by 10:00am....resting his eyes, as he called it.
My cousins and I blew up those big, red ant piles. Threw fireworks at each other and shot bottle rockets on the roof of his house, at each other, and into the creek.
By 3:00 that afternoon, I couldn't hear and my fingers were so sore from holding and trying to throw those quick fuse blackcats.
Here's to you Grand Dad.....there will never be another like you and never another 1st time, to shoot fireworks on my own. Many Fourths have come and gone and I have done some crazy things, but I always think of you amd those blackcats amd pop bottle rockets!!! Kids.....cousins.....no school...no worries.....fireworks...what a memory.
Cohiba
