AUNT GINNY'S 4TH OF JULY MI-5

Aunt Ginny says: "This week's Five are inspired by the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, some directly and some indirectly. Thanks for playing and have a happy and safe holiday!"

1. AAA predicts a first ever decrease in travel for this Fourth of July due to the gas/oil crisis. Do you find that you are traveling less these days in an effort to conserve?

I'm trying to conserve by reducing trips. I might get groceries a little sooner, or later, than I might normally do, just so that I can combine trips. We've been doing most of our shopping in Rockland, instead of going to Brunswick, Augusta, Portland, or Bangor (which is something we used to do fairly often). We also use Dwane's Escort Wagon quite a bit, because that's the vehicle that gets the best gas mileage.

2. Many of the news shows have been showing pieces about backyard fireworks, and the dangers involved, in the past few weeks. Do you, or have you ever, staged your own fireworks on the Fourth of July? What did you do?

We used to do sparklers as kids, but I was scared of them then, and I wouldn't allow my kids to do them now. When we were in VA back in 2001, we bought some firecracker stuff at Sam's Club. It's all still sitting in the closet. God forbid that the house ever burn down--the firefighters might be in for quite a colorful display!

3. The vote for independence from England occurred on July 2, 1776. Do you plan to vote in the November elections? What are your thoughts on exercising your right to vote?

I appreciate the opportunity to vote. Do I always do it? No. Should I? Of course. If there is a vote about something I really care about (abortion, gay rights, etc.), then I vote, because I feel like if I don't vote, then I have no right to complain later. When it comes to candidate type voting, I don't make it a point to vote if I don't think any of the candidates would do a good job. And, since I don't feel that I can complain if I don't vote, you won't often find me engaged in a political discussion.

4. Do you have holiday plans / traditions for the Fourth of July? Tell us about them.

We usually go to the 4th of July Parade in Thomaston, and then go to Ma's for a cookout. I haven't heard about any cookout plans this year (not that my diet would even let me really enjoy cookout food), and the boys hate the noise of the firetrucks every year, so I don't know that we'll bother to do much of anything this year. Years ago, we used to go to Lucille's every year for the 4th of July--she makes lobster potato salad, which is absolutely to die for! I miss that.

5. Are you attending a parade this year on the Fourth? If so, what is your favorite part of a parade? Your lease favorite part? Will you be participating IN the parade? What will be your role?

See #4 above. Obviously, noisy firetrucks are my least favorite part. My favorite parts are the marching bands, and seeing people I know in the parade (Unk, Aunt Susie, Lee, Richard, etc.)