The COG Zone

     A few years ago, my mom and I went to Tennessee over the week of the 4th of July. We were staying at a cabin at the marina near the town where she grew up. To add to the fun, my aunt flew in from California and brought her grandson with her. Steven was about 13 at the time, although I could be wrong, but close enough. We were all having a great time hanging out together, telling wild family stories (most of which probably aren't true), and reseaching our family history (the true history I hope).

     The marina has a big "shin-dig" every 4th of July. They have plenty of good food, activities for the kids, horseback riding, live bands, and of course fireworks. Now I'm not trying to put down the marina's attempt at a fireworks display for the surrounding community, but ... The people setting off the fireworks pulled a pickup truck out onto the rock jetty. They pulled a few of the fireworks out of the bed of the truck and set them up getting the first few ready to start the show. After the sun went down, the show started. Sort of. The first firework went up about two feet and fizzled. The next one shot straight into the lake. Finally, they got one to go high enough up into the air to do something and it was a little tiny bottle rocket. When they finally got one to shoot off and make a really nice shower of sparks, Steven and I yelled like it was the best thing we ever saw in our lives.

     As the show went on, Steven and I had to comment on every firework. If they went into the lake, we'd yell "I hope y'all have a fishing license." If they fizzled, "That was a good one ... if we were trying to sleep." At one point, one of the fireworks headed toward the back of the pickup tuck and Steven and I looked at each other and, almost at the same time, said "bummer it missed, that would've made it exciting." And on and on it went until they reached the "grand finale" ... or should I say the "grand disappointment".

     Our comments might seem to be in bad taste to some people, but we had a good time. I'd have to say, I think most of the people sitting near us enjoyed our sarcastic sense of humor better than they enjoyed the fireworks display. At least most of them were laughing. After it was all over I thought of a new joke for Jeff Foxworthy. If you've ever heckled the fireworks ... you might be a redneck.

     I don't take myself or my life too seriously. At least I don't think so. This life isn't all we have, there's something better lying ahead of us. While it's true we're to make a positive difference in this life, I believe we also need to show people we can have fun, laugh at jokes, make fun of ourselves, and do things which may be just down-right silly to the people around us. When I go to a NASCAR race or a football game, I'm just as crazy as the fans around me. In fact, one time a friend took me to a professional wrestling match and me and a friend's wife embarassed the guys so bad they swore they'd never take us again (not that I'd ever go again anyway, I just went to see what all the "hype" was about). I can take my nieces and nephews to an amusement park and have just as much fun as they do ... letting my "inner child" out. I love a good squirt-gun battle whether it's with the kids or a bunch of adults. I've gone to Disney movies with a few adult friends, getting strange looks from the parents of small children, because we want to see the movie. I can get down on the floor and play with matchbox cars or Barbie dolls with the kids and really enjoy myself.

     Just so you all don't think I'm lying to you, I'll have to do better at sharing some of the funny stuff in my blogs.