July: The first 7 days

In Washington we had a garden. Here in NC this summer, we had a cement patio. We still wanted fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes, so we bought two plants and two pots and some soil. We started with one green tomato, and we ended with one red tomato-- an inedible tomato with a rotting hole in it. Apparently we are only proficient gardeners when we have raised beds, automatic sprinklers, and constant sun. Thankfully we have friends with green thumbs.


We kicked off this year's July celebrations with a trip to Old Salem. We spread out our Flyers blanket on the main lawn and listened to patriotic music provided by the Old Salem Moravian Band. We were definitely the youngest people in the crowd. Veterans from all branches of the military were honored with their specific songs. Although it was a late-evening concert, the girls needed some big leaf fans to keep cool.

The next day was July 4th, so we headed into Greensboro for the festivities. At the start of the parade, we were slightly homesick for the Tri-Cities since we'll never again be able to catch up with our favorite mullet or get an horchata pop from the paleta man. Happily, Greensboro pulled through with some interesting quirks to soften our withdrawal symptoms.

The parade began with the poet O. Henry ringing his bell (he's celebrating his 150th birthday this year), followed by some revolutionary war soldiers marching down the street (the colonists lost a battle to the British at the Guilford Courthouse). The Democrats rallied around a cardboard Obama and a real donkey that had a mind of his own. (The Republicans made the wise decision to leave their elephant at the zoo.) Uncle Sam made an appearance on a Segway. We saw firetrucks, army trucks, policemen, and local government officials. There were performances by a step team and some hula-hoopers. I'm sure there was a marching band or two, along with antique cars and small floats. We spotted two men with mullets, but their style choices were not noteworthy when compared to the gentlemen of the Beard and Moustache club of NC. We'll have to come back next year to track the progress of their amazing facial hair.

After the parade, we followed the masses of people over to Center City Park for a festival. The girls made two crafts (hand headbands and fans) and played impromptu percussion music on some recycled materials. Then, since it was scorching hot, we decided it was time to return to the A/C. Our disdain for high-humidity heat (and crowds) caused us to miss the big "HIGH FIVE" moment, but I think we'll live without regrets. News reports say that Greensboro's attempt at breaking the world record came up short by over 500 people.

After lunch and cooling off at home, we ventured out once more. We went to Zoltan's house for dinner, playing, conversation, and a Tiki pinata in honor of his daughter's birthday. It was a unique, enjoyable experience. Afterall, nothing says "Happy Birthday America" quite like a home-cooked Hungarian meal followed by backyard fireworks.

That weekend, with temperatures soaring even higher into the 100s, we drove out to Durham for the Festival for the Eno.

We didn't stay very long and we didn't get to hear much music, but we did manage to have some fun before sweating to near-death and calling it quits.

The girls learned to fish, made butterfly wings, painted tissue-paper butterflies, did a science experiment with starch and glue to make goo, drank lemonade, saw some bees, watched a fencing demonstration (as in the sport, not the building of barriers), pet some snakes, and used the port-a-potties. I'm happy to report that we successfully avoided the poison ivy! We also rode the bus from the parking lot, and that is always an exciting experience regardless of the destination.