[Leica] Patriotic Fourth of July

[lrzeitlin at gmail.com (Lawrence Zeitlin)]

One of the founding fathers, Samuel Adams, I believe,  suggested that the
U.S. Declaration of Independence be celebrated by bonfires and
illuminations. Somehow that advice got mutated into gigantic fireworks
displays put on by large merchants and governmental agencies. Fireworks are
deemed too dangerous for the average citizen although gun ownership is
permitted in most states and the Supreme Court has just reaffirmed the
validity of the Constitution's Second Amendment guaranteeing the right to
bear arms.


Our local homeowners association has sidestepped the issue. Instead of
fireworks we have a 4th of July boat regatta on our 5 acre lake. Rowboats,
canoes and dinghies are decorated with a patriotic motif and rowed in a
procession. The winner, as judged by the onlookers, receives a case of
Samuel Adams beer as befitting the occasion.


I painted my dinghy for the occasion. I'll have to repaint in battleship
grey before I take it down to the marina.


The Patriotic dinghy as painted.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Patriotic+dinghy+3.jpg.html


First trial run.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Patriotic+dinghy+1.jpg.html


http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Patriotic+dinghy+2.jpg.html


Don't mind that bearded man rowing the dinghy. My children were only too
happy to inform me that the country is less than three times as old as I am.


The entire details of the occasion were captured here:

http://norwegianbachelorfarmers.com/lakewoodrock/wall/


The beer was delicious and a good time was had by all, even without
fireworks.


Larry Z