Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Tag: Fireworks

  • Early Happy Independence Day

    Early Happy Independence Day


    Dearest Readers:

    Happy Independence Day.

    Tomorrow, Saturday July 4, 2020, is Independence Day for the USA. For those who are not aware, Independence Day – The Fourth of July—”has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. The tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence…”

    For many people July 4th is the day for them to raise Hell. Get drunk, and make total fools of themselves, especially during firework displays. My dogs do not like the sounds of popping, noisy, frightening fireworks. My husband, a Vietnam Veteran, doesn’t like them either since they remind him of war. As for myself, I cuddle close to my dogs, sharing love and soft voices to soothe them, and my husband. Normally, in the evening when fireworks begin, lasting until the early morning hours, I recognize I’ll not sleep much. I suppose the sounds of fireworks reminds me of lightning. Those of you who read my blog regularly know how I practically jump out of my skin whenever I see lightning!

    This year, Independence Day will be a bit different for all of us in the United States as the Coronavirus, Covid-19, continues to peak. In South Carolina, according to a press release via The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control [DHEC] we have 1,629 new confirmed cases and 3 probable cases, and 19 additional deaths. In South Carolina, the total number of cases is 39,587. Ouch. Not exactly something happy to hear if you are visiting South Carolina, especially Charleston!

    While I detest having to wear a mask, I make certain I have masks in my car and my handbag. Every time I step in to public areas I put that cumbersome mask on and keep it on, unless I’m eating dinner in a restaurant.

    To say I’m horrified of this deadly disease is an understatement. Lots of people appear to be convinced they will not get it. “After all, I’m young. Young people are immune.”

    I hope those who believe that statement have done their homework, although they appear to be — shall I say “Clueless!”

    It will be interesting to see how many people celebrate July 4th without social distancing, or wearing a mask. As for my hubby and I? We will celebrate at home. Grilling burgers. I plan to make my infamous baked beans and perhaps today when I shop, I will get a July 4th dessert. I have wine chilling in the fridge so I can celebrate at home.

    For me, this July 4th will be a calm celebration due to the fact that my back is getting stronger every day. I broke my back on December 23, while we were moving! The pain I’ve tolerated for almost seven months has been excruciating, to say the least. When we were quarantined, due to Coronavirus, I didn’t have a problem staying at home. I’ve been in isolation, it appears, since breaking my back. Wearing a cumbersome back brace was not exactly a fashion statement! Sometimes the pain felt as if it was taking my breath away! Now that it is better, I’ll exercise, riding my stationary exercise back and work on core exercises. So exciting, isn’t it! Yes, I will enjoy a quiet July 4th – with my pups, hubby and our new home. Yes. This will be a fourth of July to celebrate — quietly! I’ll sit on the front porch to admire our pond. The fish. Turtles. Deer. Perhaps I’ll find some decent Hallmark or Lifetime movies to watch in the late afternoon. How about you? Stay safe America. Wear your masks. Social distance, and try not to get so intoxicated you lose track of taking care of You! Happy Fourth of July! Independence Day!

  • Happy Independence Day!


    Dearest Readers:

    This will be a short post. Since it is July the Fourth in the USA, I wanted to wish all Americans a Happy Fourth of July, Independence Day, 2019.

    Please celebrate our freedom in America and give thanks to our soldiers who are still fighting for freedom in harm’s way.

    Please, if you love fireworks and are planning to shoot them into the skies today and tonight, Please consider the animals who will hear them. The Veterans with PTSD who will almost jump out of their skin when they hear them. If you plan to have a celebration with fireworks, go to a safe area to do this, not the neighbors lawns, or near animals.

    I plan to keep my pups inside tonight since some of the residents in our neighborhood love to stand in the middle of the road and ignite fireworks — in my yard. Along my windows. No consideration for my husband who has PTSD. Last year, the children igniting fireworks thought it was funny to aim them near my windows. I went outside, asking them most diplomatically if they could ignite them somewhere else, and I asked Where are your parents? You’re supposed to have adult supervision.

    They laughed. I considered calling the police, but I imagine they were busy since so many people consume way too many ‘adult beverages’ and drive and text while driving.

    If only our neighborhood and community made the fireworks illegal here. Wouldn’t that be nice?

    Finished with my complaint. Now I wish everyone Happy Independence Day. Please stay safe. If you drink, please do not drive.

    Happy Fourth of July.

  • Happy New Year, 2014


    Dearest Readers

    Today is New Years Eve. A time for everyone to celebrate, just a bit too much. A time to give thanks that we are able to
    ‘welcome in the New Year.’

    When I think of New Years Eve, I think of friendship, spending time with some of my closest friends and reminiscing about the year. We in America have so much to be thankful for, especially if we have good health.

    During New Years Eve 2012, Phil and I celebrated the new year with our friends. I do not recall myself celebrating because I was so sick. Fortunately, for this New Years Eve, I am not sick, but Phil and I have decided to have a quiet New Years Eve. We might go to a movie, or we might just sit at home and watch TV. After all, we have many movies to catch up on since we’ve recorded an abundance of them. I have wine chilled in the fridge and I might open a bottle so I can sip it quietly at home, where I do not have to be the designated driver!

    What are your plans for the New Year? In Charleston there are many parties. The Elks Lodge has a private party, although Phil and I have decided not to be out on the roads at New Years. There are too many drivers on the road that should NOT be on the road, due to drinking just a bit too much holiday cheer.

    For all of my readers, I would like to wish you a safe and Happy New Year 2014. May you enjoy the best of life. May you have good health and happiness, and may you continue to appreciate your life and family. May 2014 be a prosperous, happy year for you and your family. May you remember to give thanks to God for all that you have and all that you will accomplish in life.

    2013 was a pleasant year for our family. A quiet, restful peacefulness within our home. I imagine there will be an abundance of fireworks in our neighborhood, like there is every year, so it will not be beneficial to crawl into bed early. The fireworks exploding in the skies always frighten our pups, and I do not dare to let them outside during this time, for fear that something could frighten them. How I wish our community would make them illegal, but I do not foresee that happening. Fireworks is one of the reasons a few of my neighbors chose to move to Mt. Pleasant. Isn’t that a great reason to move into a community — the freedom to explode fireworks??? Says a lot, doesn’t it!

    I suppose I could really jump on my soapbox about fireworks, but why bother –NO ONE OFFICIALLY cares about them in Mt. Pleasant, and the last time I complained I was basically brushed off, leaving me to feel as If I am the problem and not ‘fireworks.’ Can’t help being a bit curious as to how many ’emergencies’ occur due to fireworks. They are dangerous, although children do not see the danger, and neither do the parents permitting the children to shoot them into my yard care!

    So for now, I will close and wish all of you a safe and Happy New Year, 2014. Please be considerate of others IF you are popping fireworks at your home, and do us all a favor, don’t shoot them into a neighbor’s lawn or home. Happy New Year.

  • ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER — THAN WORDS EVER COULD…


    Dearest Readers:

    This could be perhaps the shortest blog I have posted. Why? Simple. Actions speak louder than words. As a child, my brutal, angry mother shouted those words to me more than I wish to remember.

    Tonight, I am listening to the imbeciles of my neighborhood playing with fireworks. They are popping so often that my four-legged-children are barking because they are so frightened. As you recall, my ‘children’ are rescued animals. Inside the house, they are safe, but when they hear the imbeciles exploding the fireworks, they become oh so frightened. More frightened than a Veteran suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My children simply do not anticipate these explosions. They bark and hover down low to the carpets, or they jump quickly in my arms, as if to say, “Mommy…I’m scared. Protect me, Mommy!”

    How I wish my community would recognize how frightening and dangerous fireworks are. Yes, I have written letters to the mayor, that is two former mayors, only to be told to basically cope with the fireworks. How I wish I could send a cleaning the yard bill to these imbeciles. Nevertheless, I will gripe about this issue in my blog, in hopes the imbeciles will recognize how inconsiderate they are! After all, actions speak louder than words!

    I cannot help being a bit curious. Just what are these imbeciles teaching their children? That it is OK to pop fireworks into the yards of neighbors, never considering what the repercussions are? Imbeciles! Total imbeciles!!!

    Yes, it is my night to gripe and I am. I am sick and tired of idiots popping fireworks without consideration of what they might do to a neighbor’s property. Imbeciles!

    OK — it is my time and night to complain. I will be so happy when New Years Eve is over so I can sleep without the imbeciles exploding fireworks at 1, 2 and 3 o’clock in the morning. No doubt alcohol is a factor…mixed with fireworks it could lead to disaster, but the imbeciles do not care. All they consider is themselves!

    The definition of an imbecile is a stupid, inconsiderate person who only cares about him or herself! The fireworks continue. Idiots!

    Actions speak louder than words, but tonight, I’m using my words to express what I think about these imbecile neighbors!

    Happy New Year, imbeciles! I hope you move soon!