Metal Meredith

This July 4th was celebrated at my Mom’s farm, the same way we did it last year and I believe, the year before that. Long before I was married and had a kid of my own, we would celebrate the 4th at the compound of sorts occupied by my great aunts and uncles.

It is hard to explain, so I will just brush over it in hopes that I make sense, but my Grandfather’s 2 sisters married my Grandmother’s 2 brothers and moved right next door to each other. On the other side is another of Grandpa’s sisters, who dared to marry outside the family. They both have split level houses decorated in the 60s style of wood paneling and lots of fun (and very often tasteless) statues and signs around. Both couples have a “downstairs den” with a bar and big TVs.

In the true spirit of Baltimore, they enclosed their back yards into one big yard, with a kidney shaped pool, complete with slide, on one side and a vast expanse of grass and mexican pulling mule cart cement statues around. I loved it there. All of the relatives would pile into both houses. There would be tables set up with paper thin table clothes, every covered dish imaginable including all of the favorites like deviled eggs, potato salads, baked beans, cole slaws, and more. Someone would man the grill, often many someone’s, all in black socks, sandals and gripping a cold beer.

There were tons of kids, my cousins I suppose. I recognized all the adults but couldn’t tell you who they all belonged to and what relation that meant they were to me. We would eat, swim, play, eat, and then watch fireworks set off in the third back yard.

This year was a bit more tame. Grandpa turned 84 this year, which he will tell you gives him 3 months equal in age to his bride. Therefore, he told me, she isn’t allowed to boss him around until October, when she turns 85. Of course, he tells me this every year and I am not sure it ever works. We had a good time swimming and playing with Vivienne, while Grandma and Grandpa sat under the umbrella and watched us act like idiots in the pool. Good times, I am sure.

Sadly, I spent a good 2 hours of it under a blanket with a towel on my head trying to get rid of one of those pounding pregnancy headaches that don’t respond to medication. I still was able to swim in the early afternoon and had a little lunch. Phil, being the saint he is, kept everyone busy/happy until it was time to go.

Just as quick note, this July 4th marked the 10 year anniversary of the day I knew I was in love with Phil. He took me to Yorktown, VA for fireworks and I just remember thinking that he was it for me. Thank goodness I was right. He sure puts up with a lot of my crap.