WHAT IS SO RARE AS A SUMMER'S DAY--

Since it is July- I decided to backtrack some years and post some memories of past July 4ths spent together on Dauphin Island-will start with 2005-and the holiday spent at BullyGoat- our house that hurricane Katrina later cruelly swept away---

July 4th 2005

The day started with Rosemary folding bandanas into festive pinwheels
that we would use for napkins at our end of the day feast-


--while Patrick, before HE even got dressed, made sure that Loki the dog was properly attired for the 4th-Loki looks to Patrick for approval , got it, and also got a treat--







I AM THE BEST DRESSED [FOR THE 4TH] OF THE WHOLE BUNCH!

I AM ONE SMILIN' HAPPY DOG!

A highlight of every July 4th at BullyGoat, was that at the house across the street, the gentleman pictured below, would, around sunset time ascend to his crow's nest, face the sunset, and begin "playing the sun down" on his bagpipes- everything from "Scotland the Brave" until he ended with "Amazing Grace" as the sun was sinking below the horizon in another of the glorious sunsets for which Dauphin Island is famous. As he played, people all along the beach would come and stand outside to listen, and as the last haunting sounds of the bagpipe, and the sun, both faded away- applause could be heard all up and down the beach. Sadly, Katrina took his house and therefore this tradition- away too- We have ever since bemoaned the loss of his beautiful 4th of July "sunset serenade" on the bagpipes--



After sunset--Time to eat !! part of the crowd- ready to "chow down" on barbecued boston butt, Ribs, stuffed eggs, Mack's famous 'tater salad, baked beans, crusty bread, and then if there's room- desserts!




After this traditional July 4th meal, fat and happy, we climbed the stairs to the crows nest to watch the fireworks from all around- could see the Island fireworks, the ones in Mobile across the bay, and the ones from fort Morgan in Gulf Shores across the other side of the bay, and fireworks by individual families as well- we were surrounded by fireworks everywhere we looked--wish I had a picture of that! We miss our crow's nest--I guess Katrina put it in "Davy Jone's locker" at the bottom of the sea- hope ole Davy and King Neptune enjoy that crow's nest as much as we did!
Thanks for reading my blog!
'Til next time- Love, DD