• Originally published July 3, 2009 at 5:12 p.m., updated July 3, 2009 at 11:25 p.m.

DAY AT THE BEACH

During my childhood, I don't know that we celebrated the significance of the Fourth of July. But it was always a good day for my family.

No matter how urgent the fieldwork, etc., were, we always had the day off.

Early in the day, we would go to the chicken yard and catch two old hens or roosters. We killed and dressed them, browned them in a skillet and placed them in a big cast-iron cooker, along with a little onion and some potatoes.

They were all cooked together until the chicken was juicy and tender and the potatoes were cooked.

We would load the cooker onto the bed of a flatbed truck, and head for the bay, it was probably Magnolia Beach.

We children would also ride on the back of the truck. We wore long-sleeved shirts, overalls and big, wide-framed hats. We were not necessarily fond of our attire, but even back then our parents must have realized the danger of too much sun.

We were only hoping that none of our acquaintances would see us.

Upon arriving at the beach, we tried to find a tree, usually a huisache to afford us a little shade when it was lunchtime.

We children would then head for the water. None of us could swim and we went as far out until the water was up to our chins, still in our attire and hats.

There were no lifeguards. It's a small wonder that some of us were not drowned.

When it was time to eat, we all went to the shade tree for our lunch. And did it ever taste good. Afterward, we would walk along the beach looking for seashells and unusual objects that the waves had washed upon the shore.

After about an hour, we were allowed to go back into the water.

Heading back home later, we had seashells in our pockets and our hearts full of memories of a wonderful day, the Fourth of July.

- Mildred F. Tipton,

Edna

DAD'S DAY

When I think of the Fourth of July, I will always think of my dad, Antonio Lamas Sr. He will turn 85 this year, God willing.

Our family has always gotten together on the Fourth for his birthday as long as I can remember.

My birthday is July 3 and we had always kind of combined the birthdays together.

A few years back, I asked my family if we could just celebrate his. I'm sure he never minded sharing, but we wanted his birthday to be special.

I remember him telling some of his friends that he had never worked on his birthday, and that fireworks were always popped for him.

But then he said there was one year that they nearly didn't let him enjoy the fireworks because of the burn ban. The way he said it in Spanish sounded so funny "ya mero no me trunaban cuetes" (They almost didn't light up the fireworks for me).

My dad was born in San Benito and has always been proud to celebrate Independence Day along with his birthday.

- Patty Soto,

Bloomington

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