Celebrating Our Country's Independence!!!

Twiglet, Rueben 'n' Rachel and all the residents of Snowflake wish a "Happy 4th of July" to Everyone!!! We will be busy today getting ready for our 4th of July Celebration over at the Franklin Field Horsemen's Association stables! It looks like there will be a big turnout tonight starting with the Trail Ride @ 5:30pm. While everyone is out riding their horses, those of us who don't or can't ride will be gathering around the barbecue grills and food tables under the Ash trees. It is supposed to reach 102 degrees today which is cooler than first predicted!

Take care and have a safe 4th of July.

I will be posting pictures of the celebration over on Mustang 'n' Cowboys.

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Excerpt from Chapter V:


Well...it was time for the Fourth of July picnic and everyone had gathered at noon in the town square for the festivities. Even though July was hot, they were having a great time.
On the morning of the fourth, Gran’pa and Bright dropped by the Oliver’s cabin to pick up the twins. When they arrived in Snowflake at the town square, Parson Johnson, Anna, and the boys were helping with the booths. The Matthews were already in town and were staying at the boarding house. They came down the mountainside to town on the third, and now were mingling with the townspeople and country folk who were walking around the square.
Everyone was checking out all the booths and games. Miss Sarah taught the children most of the games to play at recess. “London Bridge”, “Drop the Handkerchief”, “Follow the Leader”, “Farmer in the Dell”, and “The Mulberry Bush” were some of the games planned for the day. “Hide-and-Seek” and “Tag” were already in progress as they looked out across the town square.
Everywhere they looked, the children were playing games. They were potato sack racing, playing ring around the rosy and red rover. As the boys played games of tug-of-war and marbles, the girls played hopscotch and jacks. The older girls were parading around in their new frocks and pinafores, with ribbons and bows in their hair. Because of all the chores of summer, the grownups enjoyed being together and chatting with their neighbors. Everyone knowing that after the celebration they would have to get back to work.
Later there would be pie eating and watermelon eating contests. The day was full of activities to keep young and old busy, until the fireworks display after the sun went down. Beautiful music filled the air. The band had set up in a gazebo that the planning committee had especially made for them. Miss Sarah sat at the piano, Smithy stood nearby with his guitar, Gran’pa Shepherd sat on a bench playing the accordion, and Ben King swayed to the music, with his fiddle.
The older men were playing checkers and chess as they listened to the band. At that moment, “The Star Spangled Banner” was filling everyone’s hearts with patriotic pride, and paving the way for a wonderful day. The Snowflake Planning Committee had been very busy planning new and exciting ideas for their town! They were thrilled that in a town the size of Snowflake, there would be so many musicians.
Absolute joy was in the air. The anticipation of a fireworks display after sunset was evident as the children enjoyed the games, and the townspeople and country folk enjoyed each other’s company. Ben King and his family made it in from working on the old McCloud place. The new lawyer and his family joined everyone in the town square where a game of horseshoes was in progress.
Well...in the west the sun finally set, making a wonderful display all on its own. The brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds turned to soft hues of pinks, lavenders, and blues. The mountains behind the Mercantile and the vacant building next door, silhouetted against the evening sky!
Shortly after sunset, the townspeople and country folk enjoyed the fire works. The children and the adults alike were having the time of their lives. They exclaimed and clapped with each new fireworks display!!! This day of festivities finally ended with everyone calling their goodbyes and thanks. The town grew quiet and soon everyone was fast asleep.
Everyone was soon fast asleep, except Rueben, Rachel, Gran’pa, and Bright, who had a way to go to reach his or her home.