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July 4th: Scrambled Eggs & Grits

04 Jul July 4th: Scrambled Eggs & Grits

Posted at 07:13h in Blog, Cities, Paris by
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It’s the Fourth of July and I must do a quick post. I’m in a hurry, trying to get to the Peachtree Road Race with my sons. We’ll watch it for an hour or so, then wander over to the White House Restaurant, one of Atlanta’s oldest restaurants, for our customary 4th of July breakfast.

I woke up this morning thinking back on what I was doing exactly one year ago. I had barely moved into my new home-away-from-home in New York. My sister came up for a visit and we spent the day ~ a glorious day ~ at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (READ MORE).

Then my mind drifted off to my upcoming trip. What would I be doing if in Paris today?

After a quick swing thru the internet, looking at the July calendar for events in Paris, I see that Bruce Springsteen will be performing at the Palais Omnisports de Paris tonight. I can guarantee you I’d be there, rocking as The Boss sings “Born in the USA” !

Then I came across a MeetUp event for Americans looking for a place to celebrate. Over 250 are expected to show-up at a local restaurant. No mention of fireworks but on the menu are pints of beer for 5 euros (or $6.30) and hot dogs for 7 euros (or $8.80).

If in Paris, I’d have to wait 10 days for fireworks and their national celebration. It comes on the 14th ~ on Bastille Day. The French do it up right with a military parade down the Champs-Elysées, complete with a French Air Force flyover, which I hear is fabulous. A huge fireworks display, complete with music, follows at the Eiffel Tower (this year’s is themed “Disco Years”).

As the fireworks wind down, the traditional Fireman’s Balls begin at neighborhood fire stations throughout the city. At about 4:00 in the morning, things start quieting down.

So, although it would be fun to be at the Springsteen concert and later at the Bastille Day celebrations, I’m glad to be home this year. Nothing I love better than watching the road race and enjoying a big ol’ plate of scrambled eggs and grits . . . with my kids. I thank my lucky stars that I live in this great land.

God Bless America.

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3 Comments
  • Joanna
    Posted at 12:38h, 04 July

    Living on Collier Road all those years made it an easy trek up to Peachtree Street to watch the runners. Friends and I would take breakfast and coffee and sit in folding chairs by the curb. A boyfriend or two would run by and we’d hand out/throw water. But we are only talking 34 years ago…Enjoy your day with your kids and may the 4th be with you.

  • lisaweldon
    Posted at 15:06h, 04 July

    Oh, Joanna, the memories. Back in 1977 I lived in an apartment at the corner of Peachtree and Rumson Roads in Buckhead. It was three stories above the street – a perfect view! I’ll never forget the rumble, the thud of the thousands of people as they ran by. Yep, I always had a crowd, too. And as you’ve learned from Mad Men, we ad folks had a few mimosas with us, too . . .

  • lisaweldon
    Posted at 11:54h, 13 July

    Not For Tourists reports:

    “Happy Day Commemorating The Overtaking Of A Fortress-Prison In A Spot Where The Fourth, Eleventh And Twelfth Arrondisements Converge In Mondern-Day Paris Which Led To Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And Of The Citizen Which In Turn Eventually Led To Reign Of Terror Which Made Thomas Jefferson Really, Really Jittery Even Though He Was Ostensibly For Liberty But He Was Actually Kind Of A Weasel About It.

    Anyhoo, if you’re interested in celebrating Bastille Day in New York, Bastille Day on 60th Street will be held Sunday, July 15 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. between Fifth and Lexington Avenues in beautiful downtown Upper East Side Manhattan. Why this is happening on Sunday the 15th, I have no idea but I’m sure it has something to do with all the transfats. The event will feature the best in French treats, French music and French face painting (and no, I don’t think they’re talking about Marcel Marceau).

    Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s Bar Tabac will continue its Bastille Day tradition of confusing bocce and boules on Sunday (again, what’s with Sunday??) with a day-long festival of pétanque, pastis and other stuff that doesn’t start with “P” so I won’t bother mentioning.”

    More at: http://tinyurl.com/6uyftjt