Like many Americans, BatesMeronians were out of the office last Thursday celebrating the 4th of July. Some of us even extended the holiday into a long weekend vacation of red, white and blue fun.

Here’s some snapshots of how we spent our 4th of July, from relaxing beach trips to potential evidence of the Independence Day movie come true.

Fred

I learned this July of 4th that although fireworks are illegal in Memphis, TN—Fireworks City can still legally sell them since they were grandfathered in during the 1960s law change. So, you can purchase as many fireworks as you want…but it’s just illegal to ignite them. Oooops.

Meg

I brought one of my best friends to explore his first real-life, close up, seeing, touching, smelling, hiding and seeking, laughing and running cornfield. And what else is there to do on the 4th of July than to feel the ooohs and aaahs, giggles, excitement and wonder of being a kid again?

Melanie

I reunited with some of my very favorite ladies in the world over the holiday weekend. We assembled in LA and celebrated America’s Birthday with a boozy brunch and a day at Santa Monica Beach. (Fun fact: this is exactly how founding father James Madison spent every Independence Day.)

After America was suitably fêted, we also got to go on a tour of some of the wineries in Malibu. (Another fun fact: Malibu has the highest concentration of celebrities in the world…and we did not see any of them. Britney, where you hiding, girl?)

Becka

Noble Paul Revere
cherry bomb, sparkler, sizzle
celebrate midnight.

Revel BatesMeron
sweet, sour, cuervo, easy ice
back to work Monday.

Nina

I ate lots of good food, which included a lovely rooftop view of beautiful Chicago. There was also lots of barbecuing…which is my fave. I watched the fireworks on the harbor with my friends and got some much-needed sun.

I feared for my life during the fireworks because of the dumb-dumbs in the park trying to put on their own firework show. (Fireworks should go up in the air…not sideways, toward trees, humans, trapeze sets, etc.)

I also spent some time downtown as a “tourist” with my friend visiting from Michigan. This included a long, art-filled walk down Michigan Ave. We ran into an Art Fair with lots of pretty pictures and sculptures. We also went to Navy Pier and watched all the “real” tourists take cheesy pictures. I, of course, laughed at all the babies trying to climb the giant anchor…and then fall off.

(Ed.’s note: Nina calls all children under 18 “babies” so the people climbing the anchor were likely at least of school age. So picture her laughing at falling kids, not babies, which is less terrible.)

Todd

Nothing says “Let’s celebrate America!” like having a fireworks show and burning a huge patch of AstroTurf in the middle of a perfect soccer field. Not sure if this was from the July 4th celebration or if aliens have landed near North Avenue.

(Another Ed.’s note: Todd did not destroy this soccer field. He loves soccer way too much to do such a thing. I think we need to question that child in blue.)

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