July 4th is one of the obsessive compulsive holidays in the US. It’s when we celebrate our independence from the British Empire. Although we declared that independence in 1776, the US Congress didn’t formally establish the holiday until 1941 – just as we were fast becoming England’s most important ally. Unlike Memorial Day and Labor Day, the bookends of summer, the 4th of July is the 4th, not the Monday before. No 3-day weekend in July, save those for May and September.
Falling on a Wednesday this year, it might mean a day off for some, a normal work day for others, perhaps at a higher rate of pay, and for other others, it might mark the start (or the end) of a 5-day weekend. For me, it’s a single day off. I’ll spend some time in my workshop, watch a few episodes of the Twilight Zone Marathon on Decades TV – take that SyFy – and perhaps have a beer. I’m OK with the 4th of July’s insistence on being celebrated in absolute ordinal fashion – it appeals to my logical side. And, remember:
“The first rule of OCD Club is that there has to be a second rule, ‘cuz there has to be an even number of rules.”
This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, I’d encourage you to join in on the fun. You can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.
Happy 4th day of July, Dan! Hope you thoroughly enjoy your day off work.
There’s no relief in sight for this hot weather so I think a cold beer at some point will be a requirement 🙂
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Absolutely ! Thanks Robin.
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same here Joanne – heat wave and need brew relief
:)
someone call the nurse (ha)
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Happy day off, Dan, and a big calm to Maddie.
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Thanks Manja. We’re thinking about an early walk.
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HAPPY FOURTH, DAN!!

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This and one other of your comments ended up in the spam bucket. I rescued them, but then I lost track of them :(
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Enjoy your day Dan! And Happy 4th!
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Thanks Pam!
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One day you will beg to come back,you know you will. Ask Muriel – grin.
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I think we missed our chance 🙁
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Gracious, Dan, your “first rule of OCD Club” had me spit my coffee across the table. The best!! Hope you enjoy your day off (even if it is smack dab in the middle of the week).
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Thanks Laura. I’m glad you liked that. Sorry about the table.
I might know someone who refuses to set the volume on an odd number.
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I normally don’t discuss ODC, well, except when I always have to have Plan A and Plan B. :-) Maddie will enjoy having you home for an additional walk this week. This weather has been wicked hot and humid. Stay cool. :-)
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Thanks Judy. I argue about these tendencies, but this one appealed to the part of me that always has the volume set on an even number. I just like them better.
Maddie and I just got back from our walk. She wanted to walk a longer route, but the air is gross. We compromised, and I think she’s happy. She’s a bit OCD, too, “dad’s home so we have to go for a walk.”
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Happy 4th of July, Dan! Thanks for dedicating your post to the holiday, the one which is always even and makes the OCD Club happy. By the way, my dues are in the mail.
Lovely photos…I hope you have a nice day off and Maddie gets some time in the shade.
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Thanks Mary! It is always even – I like that. You can pay your dues with some of those bonus points you’ve earned.
Maddie has been for a walk. She has to wait until some shade arrives in the yard, because we’re back in the 90s today. I hope you enjoy the day.
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Your post made me happy. Happy 4th Dan 😎
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Thanks Val. Sometimes, we have to laugh at ourselves. Enjoy the day.
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A happy delightful post, Dan. Who would have thought a quiet (not yet open) carnival would be so entertaining. I think I like it best that way, seeing all the pre-fun anticipation. (Besides, you know me and noise…). Maddie looks like she’s having a lovely time. Happy Fourth of July hugs!
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Maddie loves going on her walks as much as she likes sitting. She’s a little OCD, sometimes, she just has to have what she has to have because the time or the circumstances tell her it’s so. I hope you have a great day!
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The fire trucks look powerful. Such fine machines. The squirrels, too, seem to be enjoying the 4th of July.
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Thanks Peter. I turn into to a little kid when I see a fire truck. It’s hot here, so the squirrels are out early and hidden during the heat of the day.
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Happy 4th of July, Dan. Unlike you, I extended the weekend to include the holiday. I am glad that we don’t move this holiday to a Monday–I am too used to calling it the 4th of July and don’t really want to change it to something more generic as we did with Presidents’ Day. I seem to remember when I was growing up that we celebrated Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthday separately in February. Although I complain about winter weather, some of that coolness would be welcome. The heat and humidity here in Northern Virginia is kicking my butt.
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Thanks Mike. You remember correctly, we did used to celebrate both. I thought about spreading the holiday out, but it’s been wicked hot around here too. The heat is awful. I hope you find a nice way to keep cool.
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Beautiful photos Dan! I love the daisies in your yard. I hope you enjoy your holi-day. Mine is but one as well and I am happy for it. We will grill some food later. We also had a rain last night. Our heat has been average I think. I love your OCD rules! Lol
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Thanks Cheryl! We’ll do our best to enjoy this day. It’s going to be another hot one, The daisies aren’t in our yard, but Maddie and I walk past them. A one day break feels good this week, plus, they let us go home at noon yesterday, so a little extra.
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We left a bit early as well. I love a mid week break. Wish crowds weren’t so insane. I’d love to see some fireworks…
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A mid week break this week is very nice. I hope you find some fireworks.
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Thank you for the short historic note about the Fourth of July, Dan. It will be a day off here too. A neighbor is having a party, so it will be a nice way to catch up with his family and other people. Always nice to gather around grilled food :)
Enjoy your free day! And cheers to our country and its people!
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Thanks Evelyne! Enjoy the party – it’s a good day to celebrate!
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Happy 4th Dan. I think we all have a bit of OCD in us! I can’t pass our kitchen table without making a correction with one placemat so that it’s perfectly lined up with the one across from it!!! 😂😂
Love the black squirrel with a brown tail. Maddie looks so content on her cot and so happy she found her old friend. Early walks while it’s still cool is a good thing for both of you. The air is oppressive.
Great close up shots Dan, but you saved the best for last. That raindrop at the tip of the plant looks like a huge diamond teardrop. Just a beautiful picture. And you’re right, that’s definitely one big bunny!
🔹 Ginger 🔹
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Thanks Ginger. Maddie and I walked a couple of hours ago. It wasn’t too hot, but the air was just yucky. We didn’t walk far, but we crossed that item off the list – she’s a bit OCD too.
I’m going to try to get some work done in the shop today, but I won’t be out there for too long.
I must have looked pretty silly taking that picture, it’s from the parking lot at work, but I really wanted to get it right. I’m very happy with the way it turned out.
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Happy Fourth, Dan. You got the rain last night? We are still waiting. Looking forward the Pops and the 1812 Overture tonight. Beer or wine in hand. 🙂
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We did get rain, and thunder and lightening last night, Jennie. It didn’t do anything to cool us down though.
Enjoy the celebration !
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Oh, no! It will break on Friday, two looong days away.
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I’m going back to work, I can wait.
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😀
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Love the action shots of the squirrels. Yeah, only one day off for me, too, but it is kind of nice to have a random day. Happy Fourth to you, Dan.
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Thanks Lois. Those guys were going nuts.
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Good point about the OCD rule needing a second rule (and perhaps many more after that). The Fourth of July landing on Wednesday makes me want to take the entire week off.
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I know, Frank. But my wife really doesn’t like me working around the house on this holiday, so I’ll go with the day.
More rules are fine, but an even number…just sayin.
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Your flower photos are amazing, Dan. All your photos are great, but I particularly love these close up shots. Have a great 4th!
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Thanks Gwen. I’ve been trying to get good close up shots for years. I think I finally figured this camera out (I might be going overboard). Enjoy the day!
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Happy fourth Dan. Enjoy your day off :-)
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Thanks Norm!
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Happy 4th! I love the ordinal fashion of this holiday as well. I’d love it even more if Memorial Day and Labor Day were handled the same way. Who decides these things anyway ?!? :). Those pictures are fantastic especially the flowers. Thanks for sharing them.
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Thanks! I don’t know why they move some but not all. And I don’t know who decides. Oh well. Enjoy the day we have.
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such a delightful collage for the 4th… and loved the succinct way you summed up this holiday – and I fully agree with this:
I’m OK with the 4th of July’s insistence on being celebrated in absolute ordinal fashion – it appeals to my logical side.
same here
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Falling on the 4th means that some years we get a 4-day weekend. It has its upside.
I’m glad you like the photos. Thanks.
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yes – we have had a few of those long weekends –
:) but not this time – wednesday is a weird middle of the week day
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Hi Dan – enjoy the workshop time, then the Maddy walk and then the relaxation with family and friends … well ordered all – and have a happy 4th – but interesting about the bank holiday aspect being formalised …. cheers Hilary
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Thanks Hilary. Maddie and I walked at 6:30am. If the heat breaks later, I’ll sit outside with her. I’m on a break from the shop to cool down.
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The squirrels don’t seem to mind the heat even in all their furry finery! The marine layer finally rolled in dropping our temperatures down from 100° to down right chilly. Natures Air Conditioning is back thankfully. I just wish it wasn’t this cold and windy. I’m going to freeze at tonight’s fireworks show, but this isn’t new. It’s usually chilly on the 4th here.
I loved the Daisy! Great depth of field, and low angle!
Enjoy your day off, and have a Happy 4th of July!
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Thank you so much. I appreciate you comments on the Daisy. I had several attempts (I even got down a little).
We won’t be chilly, that’s for sure. I was in my shop, but it’s 96 now and very humid so it’s Miller Time.
Enjoy the fireworks. I hope you get some great shots.
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I hope you’re enjoying that beer, and have a lovely afternoon, and evening!
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I am about to take that beer outside and sit with Maddie, provided we can find some shade – it’s 97 :-(
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Ugh! Hope you found some shade, and a cool breeze came drifting by often!
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We found a cool spot in the shade. We only sat for about 15 minutes, but it was long enough to make Maddie happy.
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:)
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Have a good holiday!
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Thanks John – you too!
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Happy Fourth of July, Dan. Terrific pictures.
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Thanks John. I hope you’re enjoying the day.
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:-D
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Love the pictures, and love the one-liner! If you eat out on the 4th, remember to ask for clean food.
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Thanks Marian. We didn’t eat out today. The food was clean, and the volume is set at an even number ;-)
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When I worked outside the home, I liked having a day off in the middle of the week. It was a special treat. Enjoy your day!
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It is a nice break, JoAnna. it’s like having two short weeks.
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Dan, Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your day off. We’re into summer hot weather too. Wonderful photos as always. 📚Christine
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Thanks Christine. Our heatwave is supposed to break Thursday night. Friday should see us back in the 80s.
I hope you’re enjoying the day.
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Well, I worked today! But in hindsight, I should have stayed home, because I was having a bad hare day.
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Well, I hope you have a better evening. Now that I’m facing the prospect of getting up tomorrow, I wish I had taken the rest of the week off.
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Happy Independence Day, Dan! Hope you had a relaxing day off. Do you get a holiday on the Monday if the 4th falls on a weekend? That’s what we get for Australia Day. (Used to be the nearest Monday to the 26th Jan but now it’s on the day unless it hits a weekend, then we get the Monday in lieu.) Glad you’ve had a bit of rain. Looks hot there.
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Thanks Heather. We do get a monday off if the 4th falls on a weekend. Next year, I think the 4th is a Thursday. Our company will likely close Th/Fr and charge is for one of our “floating” holidays.
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The water droplets was beautiful, Dan.
I helped scrub potatoes at our “hometown” (family lived in Bay Village Ohio during our middle and high school years) carnival, Rich hooked me up for the third year in a row of the Kiwanis curly fries booth!
Since Randy and I were heading to a penthouse party for the 4th of July, we only stayed long enough for me to work 2 hours, while Rich was stuck for five hours. . . Nice carnival set up photos, Dan.
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Thanks Robin. This is one of the few times I’ve was really happy with a water drop photo. Two hours of potato scrubbing sounds like enough. You’re a good sport to help them out.
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I read this yesterday morning, but then I didn’t get to the Like and Comment bit, cause somethin happened, somethin 3D. I can’t remember what.
Anyway, I looove that you caught a big bunny, even if he’s not in your yard. Whenever the big ones come in the yard, we NEVER catch one with our snaps. We seem to mostly snap lil bunnies at a distance, while the big ones will come right up to the porch!
That shot of the water droppin off the ends of the plant, Ooh, Ahh! Overall a lovely collection :)
The Mister had three days off. I had the one right there in the middle. And I get paid for it! Hurrah!
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Lucky Mister. We will usually close for two days, but I don’t think we’ve ever closed for three. The big bunnies only seem to come to our yard to have babies. Once the get bigger, they take off.
The water drop took many attempts. There was a breeze and some of the drops fell off or ran onto other parts. I was so glad to get that one. Thanks for coming back.
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Gorgeous images. Beautiful.
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Thanks Rob.
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Couldn’t believe that Syfy ditched the TZ marathon this year. I’m glad you were able to tune in Decades, Dan — some people could, but a lot of other fans were left Zone-less. Glad you had a nice Fourth!
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I did. It sounds like you had a great visit to upstate NY.
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