...'A-Riding on a pony...'

Childhood memories aside, the song 'Yankee Doodle' will forever be associated with Jimmy Cagney's 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.' 1942. A film about the great George M. Cohan. Waking up this fine morning, (any morning you're above ground is a fine one I heard some old degen mutter at the racetrack one day) and after my tea and donut, I googled and wiki'd
(utopian tree of knowledge) Yankee Doodle. Not so much for Yankee; hey, the 21st century Yanks wear blue pinstripe unis and play ball.  But for the word 'doodle. ' This is what I discovered. 'Doodle' in low German is thought to be a 'fool.' The word 'macaroni' refers to foppish manners ie gay (1774!). Um, so according to our sources, the original Yankee Doodle was written by a British Surgeon pre-revolution mocking the Yanks in the French and Indian war. The Yanks recognizing a sprightly tune co-opted the music and added their own verses; the rest is history.

In the spirit of the day, I'm instituting and presenting the 1st annual 'Fireworks Award.'

1. Senator Wendy Davis for her tenacity and neon Mizono sneaks.
2. The 'Supremes' for stepping up to the mic and ruling.
3. Edward Snowden for spilling the beans. Hey, no discrimination here.
4. KStew for her ballsy outfit at the Chanel couture show in Paris.

Enjoy the day. Good friends with their stories. And free flowing beverages. The grilling, salads, ice cream and toppings. The kids getting older, and almost out the door, but never too old for the after dark show. Pyrotechnics flare and rule! Be safe. Last year, we burned the front door mat and scorched a hole in the living room. But, that's another story.