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Here's whatcha gotta do. Go down to a big old park, somewhere by water preferably where it's nice and cool. There will be lots of barbecues. Find one with good food. Look for big old people and people taking naps. Sidle up to someone and start talking to them. Look at what they have on the plate, and remark on how good it was, implying you've had some already. Then excuse yourself, saying you think you will have some more. Get yourself a nice big plate of ribs, corn with butter, taters, bratwurst, ice cream, cake, and then start eating! If someone comes up to you to ask you who you know at the picnic or who you are related too, just point at your mouth and mumble, implying you can't talk now because your mouth is full (yeah, like that ever stopped me!). This works for me all the time.
I know a few of us don't have families we can be with or the food isn't that hot with your real family, well, don't let that stop you from having a great Fourth of July. Go out and find a family that knows how to eat! You deserve it! You're an American! If you get in trouble, delete this post and disavow any knowledge of where you got the idea. But don't worry, that never happens, not yet anyhow. It's more fun than going to Denny's and getting the senior plate and skipping off when no one is looking. No one expects a senior to do that, do they? And, you don't have to run afterwards, usually. I don't know about you, but running upsets my stomach, especially when I just stuffed it. Enjoy! Bone Appetite! That's French. Without France, where would America be anyway, French Fries, French toast, you get my drift. OK, enough with the culture, already....

Let's Eat!

Happy Independence Day, Piggy! I thought independence meant fending for oneself, not poking your nose into other people's troughs!!!!!

Ah, quintessential activity- making, transporting, cooking, serving and eating food out doors!

And to think that at one time, folks actually thought having a kitchen indoors was a vast improvement in circumstances! Who knew one day we'd be haulin it all outside again?

I'd be a little leery- they might have sharp forks, tongs, etc!

Enjoy!

Well, I get to work this weekend! And one of the benefits of my job is: nice people! One of my regular patients lives in the country and has a barbeque every Fourth of July. So, I will be having a nice meal in the middle of a work day and getting paid to do it!

Now THAT'S what I call livin' large!

Have a great holiday, everybody, and be safe!

Cali

I don't know what we'll be havin' for the Fourth. My primary mission for the day is to drive somewhere in my Studebaker truck. Besides being the Fourth, it so happens that this day is the first International Drive Your Studebaker Day. No, I'm not kidding.

So, I'll rinse Pete off in a bit, and the wife and I will take him to lunch - or, rather, he'll take US to lunch. Pete's our 1957 Studebaker Transtar pickup truck.
Fact is, even tho he wears his colors 365 days a year, they're ever more appropriate today.

I am just chilling at home. Happy 4th to all!

Dude, how much is that truck worth? I love it! I knew a dude from Lancaster that drove old Studes in the early 70's. Bullet nosed Commanders. I should write about those crazy SoCal guys now that the statute of limitations is up.

Arcade, Have you been to the Studebaker museum in South Bend Indiana. It would be worth the trip....especially if you drove your truck there. :}

And Mok, no need to crash someone's feast. Come on over, we have plenty to share.

dddanse,

I have been to the museum - both the old one and the fantastic new one. Fact is, I drove this truck to the International meet in South Bend in 1997. I think somewhere, I've got a photo of it parked in the old museum parking lot.
I was there for the offical opening of the new museum in 2007. It was QUITE an affair to behold. They had a men's choir singing tunes related to Studebaker and to motoring in general. It was truly a moving event. Studebaker had made South Bend from a sleepy little riverside town, into an industrial powerhouse of the 19th and 20th century. 45 years after the last Studebaker was built there, the city's trying it's best to eradicate the skeletal remains. They helped (with prodding) to build the museum that was unspokenly promised after Studebaker gave them their collection of historical vehicles. But with the tough economic realities of today, it looks like the museum might even lose city backing. It's a beautiful, educational, memorial to all that Studebaker and it's workers did for US pride and bounty.

Here's an account of my trip to South Bend in 1997 - if anyone's interested. It's wordy (like most of my stuff!), but you might find it amusing. At least I TRIED to make it amusing, and it's not just about the truck or the drive.

view link

I have other stories on that site if anyone else would like to read them. They've all been published in Turning Wheels - the official monthly publication of the Studebaker Drivers Club.

To answer Mark's question, I don't really know what it's worth. Similar trucks have sold for between $15 and 20 thousand. Although, now, with the economy in the toilet, I suppose it's worth less than that. Doesn't matter as it'll only be for sale once I'm gone.

Arcade, you are a great American. I love your spirit.

dddanse, what time is dinner? What are we having? Save me some, eh?