First we had some company on the evening of the third. Casita friends Reine and Paul came and spent the night here right next to us. We had a very nice visit.
Another one, just like the other one! We both have the Freedom Deluxe model of the Casita.
But then they left just before noon on the 4th, heading for Glacier National Park.
There they go! Bye Reine and Paul!
The day was peaceful and uneventful then, until….10pm.
***********
All my life I enjoyed fireworks and sparklers ( firecrackers, not so much)…until I became Joys mom, over 12 years ago. She has never liked the noise at all, and when Shiloh joined us 3 years later, he didn’t like them either.
Last year, my first 4th of July ‘on the road’, I spent with Mary at a Thousand Trails park, and there were no booms and bangs at all. Nice!
Last year, above and below.
( This year, sadly I couldn’t find the big flag or the shirt. I couldn’t dig around due to back pain, but also I may have left them at Mary’s house.)
This year, well, I am where I am, and I didn’t see any way of getting around that. There are no fireworks allowed at the park, but the surrounding area had no shortage of them.
It was nice that there was really no noise until dark, which here right now is about 10pm. With the first boom, Joy and Shiloh ran inside WS, panting, scared, not knowing where to hide. I shut the windows and turned on the overhead fan for ‘white noise’. Then I cranked up the music on my little sound system and started singing! For some unfathomable reason, Joy and Shiloh like it when I sing. On and on it went and we listened (and I sang with) The Stones, Mick’s solo stuff, the Beatles, Bob Seger, John Denver, John Lennon, Donovan, CCR, Van Morrison, and towards the end when it started to calm, some Native American flute music by Carlos Nakai.
The Bombs Bursting In Air went on for OVER THREE HOURS!
Could we still hear the fireworks, with my drowning out techniques in effect? Oh yeah.
Joy finally settled under my legs.
Shiloh was on the bed, as close to me (sitting in the chair) as he could get.
At about 12:45 it began to slow down and die out, and I didn’t hear any more ‘bombs’ after 1:15am.
Joy and Shiloh finally fell asleep.
The war was over I suppose. I don’t know who won, but for Joy and Shiloh the music and my singing seemed to have the correct calming effect. And it’s good to know that for at least 2 someone’s, that my singing is preferable to bombs going off.
🙂
Wandering Spirit 
:-), indeed! I’m glad the fur babies survived the stress and got a good nights sleep. In our neighborhood, despite the fact that only “safe and sane” fireworks are permitted, it sounded like a war zone for hours (not to mention a week prior to the Fourth). Illegal fireworks are just too easy to bring in from Nevada. Scofflaws! Have a peaceful week 🙂🇺🇸
Hi Maureen, it seems amazing to me how much money people just send up in smoke…rather literally. I used to love the pretty sparkles…still do, just don’t see them… but when it’s just banging and popping and explosions…and very little pretty sparkles….I don’t get it. And people always get hurt.
Peace to you too!
Better than singing in the shower – you had an appreciative audience! ;->
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Hi Judie, yes they are such tolerant sweethearts! 🐶☺️🐶🎼
It’s very interesting, I have heard from many of my HS classmates up And down the Central Valley of California plus people in many other places, including you, and everyone without exception says last night was the noisiest in years! Not sure why. We are only allowed safe and sane type but that didn’t stop people. It was annoying and a bit scary because of still drought conditions and dry grass plus some dying trees. We survived but are glad it’s over. Our cul de sac had its usual little display of safe and sane with all neighbors participating. Glad you 3 are ok !
Velda it does seem that in recent years it’s louder than ever and goes on longer, doesn’t it? People get hurt. Fires get started, and animals, wild and domestic suffer. In the hands of professional pyrotechnic people it’s one thing, but why it’s legal to buy that stuff on the street, I just don’t know.
Our dogs always had a rough time of it. I like your method of coping! I saw this link on FB for a silly way to help the pups out, made me laugh out loud at work – this girl put her bra on the dogs head!
https://twitter.com/MarloMeekins/status/750177045766746113
Hope your back gets better soon!
Hi Dan, can’t imagine it would be very sound proof!😂
My dogs tolerate my singing way better than ‘earmuffs’! They would leave that contraption in place all of about 2 nanoseconds!🐶🐶
Well we had the same issues here for 3 nights! Poor Katie panted and kept changing hiding places for about 3 hours. Jack didn’t get upset until last night (the very worst). I found him cowering in a corner,getting as small as he could,panting and huge eyes. /[00]\ . Maddie however didn’t notice a thing! I am so sorry about your back! I hope you have some good luck there. ( : D
Yes Elinor, their eyes get so big! Especially Shiloh’s. You can see the fear in them.
We Didnt have too much the two nights before, though we did have some. I hope it’s over. After last night I can’t imagine anyone has any left!
My back ‘seems’ to be getting better. Sometimes I say that and then I think I lied…it’s like 2 steps forward, one step back. That’s how healing is though…I used to tell my patients that.
Guess I have been very lucky over the years with my fur babies. Not a single one was scared of the booms. Stay safe Mick. Hope your back feels better soon. No pools in any of the parks you stay in?? That always helps my back.
Hi Pam, I don’t remember it being an issue for our dogs as kids, remember? Fireworks at Metro, and lots of firecrackers, and our sparklers…but no dogs running scared. Or maybe I just wasn’t aware…
No pools lately. What would be nice would be a hot tub I think.
Everyone I’ve talked to says this was the noisiest 4th in a long time. We’ve had occasional booms for a few weeks, but last night was horrendous. At least the dogs and cats were in the house but the poor horses were panic stricken, I thought it would never end. What really gets me is that all fireworks are against the law in Los Angeles and no one cares or does anything until someone gets hurt.
Hi Ann, yes and here you can buy the fireworks on every street corner, and this is Montana and there are horses everywhere.
Odd that the sounds of war are so appealing to some. Common sense and instinct often dictates a ‘ run and hide’ response. Makes perfect sense. And then there are people with PTSD who have to deal with it.
You are a great fur baby moma! I had 3 long hair chihauhaus that I had to put in bed with me and put the tv up loud and petted and talked to them until they either calmed down or the bombs stopped. They are such a comfort to us that we will go above and beyond to comfort them when they are scared or troubled! I miss my babies so much, all three have passed away, and I enjoy your pictures of Shiloh and Joy in your blog. They are so beautiful!
A follower, Callie
Hi Callie, and you were a great fur baby momma too! Yes, the comforting goes both ways doesn’t it? SO hard to lose them…your 3 little ones will be waiting….
I’m glad you are enjoying the pictures of Joy and Shiloh, and I agree…I do think they are beautiful too, if I do say so myself. 🐶😊🐶
Looks like a very nice site you have there. So glad you were able to calm Joy and Shiloh..poor babies..they don’t understand all that racket!! Thank goodness we didn’t have any of that at my Daughter’s this weekend. This past New Year’s Eve..when I was still at the house my Coco just about lost it with the fireworks and gunshots from our closest neighbors. I felt terrible..her entire body shook with fear at the very first bang. I ended up sleeping with her in my recliner for most of the night. Hope you are back to your old self soon!!
Hi Pat (Freespirit). Glad you had a noise-free week end, and glad you were able to comfort your Coco during the New Years noise. Another good mom!
Once you get your solar and your generator, where is your free stir it leading you?
Yeah this back thing is getting really old, and I have a feeling it’s going to be awhile yet.
07-02-2016: if I’m not mistaken, today’s your birthday. If it’s not, close enough. Have a good one, Micky, and many, many more. Fingers crossed that your back is getting better. Hugs to the pups.
Cat Lady
Hi Cat Lady, yes you are right! Thank you for the good wishes! yes, back is getting better, but wow, it is taking it’s good old time. I’m going to be taking it easy for awhile yet.
Micky, I typed 07-02 but I meant 07-09. Fingers/brain doesn’t always coordinate. I’m sure you knew I meant today’s date for your BD. Happy you had a good one.
Cay Lady