Color Buzz

Fourth of July Colors

I love the colors of the Fourth of July. The red, white and blue ring in the start of summer.  I can tell we are getting close to the big day... I’ve seen the kids running around, collecting boxes of sparklers, and teenagers hiding a benign arsenal of bottle rockets, roman candles and whistling dixies.

Our town is gathering fire engines, classic cars, floats, marching bands, horses and, of course, kids dressed in Americana costumes.  They will parade down the main street as they have done for years.  We all come out to cheer them on.

After that, we gather around the pool, recite historic poems, listen to a speech or two and sing a ton of patriotic songs. Then, it’s off to a huge picnic with field games and moving from table to table trying out what everyone is serving up.

Finally, the fireworks let loose.  It’s the best!  Believe it or not, this is scaled down from when I was little.

I give a lot of credit to our founding fathers and mothers, who were incredibly brave.  I try to imagine what it must have been like for them to stand up for all they believed. They were willing to give up their way of life, their homes, and even their lives for a better world for others.  We are the grateful beneficiaries of their sacrifices.

Friday Project Series: Kentucky Derby with a Mint Julep

The crowds have gathered, tickets clutched in their hopeful hands.  Hearts and hooves are pummeling. The gates open and out rushes wild forces of energy in the form of horses riders. Bright, gorgeous colors streak across the dirt and dust, moving forward, vying for the first position.  

And so will begin the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby this Saturday. The colors or “silks” that the jockeys wear date back to the time of King Charles II in the late 1600's.  Back then, simple color blocks were worn in order for the king, lords, dukes, etc., to keep track of their horses running across the English plain. Today, there are many owners represented and the colors and color combinations get more and more interesting.  

There are some great classics such as the devil's red and blue of Calumet Farm worn by the jockeys of past Kentucky Derby winners Citation and Ponder. Allen Paulson's patriotic red, white and blue colors were worn by the rider of racehorse Cigar.