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| Jeremy Creek, McClellanvile South Carolina |
Fourth of July in the South
Fourth of July! Independence Day!
A family gathering day in the American south! This is a day for celebrating southern comfort foods - boiled peanuts, hand churned ice cream, macaroni and cheese and most importantly home made potato salad.
No self respecting southern woman would serve "store bought" potato salad, and each ancestral line had its "secret" ingredient list which had to include Dukes mayonnaise - this is also a guide that indicates whether or not a woman who resides on the other side of the Mason Dixon Line is a true Steel Magnolia - check her pantry! Dukes mayo not there ??? - not a southerner!!!
Another tradition in South Carolina for this national holiday is the family fireworks extravaganza. Fireworks are legally purchased in South Carolina and can be legally ignited (please check your town's guidelines). There are three holidays we indulge in fireworks - July 4th, Christmas eve and New Year's eve (my Canadian born father never understood Christmas eve). None of my people suffered injury via fireworks, but there is one story I will share - I know for a fact this happened, but will not offer names.
A day of celebration along a beachfront neighborhood complete with sidewalks (significant ingredient), one of the celebrants (male) decided that he would be the fireworks grand finale. His plan was to place enough sparklers in his helmet to set the evening sky ablaze (never asked how this was done) then inline skate past the party goers. I am told that there were oohs and ahhhs for approximately fifteen seconds - this was not a good idea - and involved a visit to the emergency room - the lesson? Human sparklers and an afternoon of cocktails do not mix well!
So, my South Carolina friends - indulge yourselves today - have fun and be safe!
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