Scared Witless on the 4th of July! (How did you celebrate?)
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238361)
Walnut Creek, California
July 5, 2016 11:03am CST
The Western Swing Band I'm in did a morning gig at an old folks home yesterday morning. Yes, I got paid, and the money is already in the bank!
But the scary part happened after my Colling guitar's electronics went dead. The bracket that holds the 9V battery had BROKEN, meaning that I had to use another guitar for the songs I sing lead on. Those songs went OK, though I prefer using my own guitar, but I knew I had a scary decision ahead of me: expert? Or give it a shot?
I went to an electronic store, bought some 9V battery brackets, along with a new soldering pencil, took a sip of Scotch (single malt), and "went in." It was scary as h-ll, because if one drop of solder fell on the top of my guitar, the finish would be damaged. But I was able to do it, using an old towel as "backing" while I worked.
No fireworks for me. I knew I had to get this DONE. How did you spend your 4th of July? If you're not from the US, I reckon it was just another day.
19 people like this
16 responses
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
5 Jul 16
I'm glad you were able to DIY the repair to your guitar.
Your last line reminded me of an old joke.
Me: What countries have a fourth of July?
Patsy: Just the United States, of course.
Me: Nope, they all do. It comes between July third and July fifth.
Patsy: *kicks me in the shin and storms off*
2 people like this
So..... 
you are finally admitting your real age, pony? 
@TheHorse (238361)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Jul 16
@DaddyEvil I've been told I have an old soul. Or maybe thy said "old soles" and were talking about my shoes. I can be kind of frugal at times.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
5 Jul 16
It was pretty much just another day for me. Nice weather that I'm sure my sister's family would have appreciated more. The had less wonderful weather where they live in the US.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
6 Jul 16
@TheHorse Our close proximity makes the event hard to miss. We tend to watch with some fascination because our own patriotism is expressed in a more subdued fashion.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238361)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Jul 16
@koopharper Is there a comparable Holiday up there?
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
6 Jul 16
I would have been scared, but if anyone could fix it, it would be you.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
5 Jul 16
so glad ya were able to fix yer troubles, hon. i'm not into all the 'fluff', 's too many holidays that t'were meant to honor those who fought ('n continue to do such) fer our freedoms tends to take a back step - the partyin', drinkin' 'n use'f fireworks into the wee hours'f the morn take the limelight 'nstead.
spent the day here puttin' 'nother layer'f water 'round the perimeter 'f the property 'n case one'f the neighbors ('r jest a city slicker who thought comin' out this way to be idiots) caught the fields'n grasslands'n fire.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
5 Jul 16
@TheHorse lol, that'd prolly work if'n there 'twas 'nough water to sustain such :) hundreds 'pon hundreds 'f feet 'f hose, my friend. 'n splitters. i've an irrigation sized pump'n my well 'n lots'f big steel sprinklers that cover quite a distance. couldn't protect the hole place, but't least where the horses/barns/houses 're.
yepperz, i'd rather spend 'em with family myself. sadly such'd no occur this year.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
6 Jul 16
I didn't do a darn thing, and I'm happy with that. I can see the fireworks in my town from my front porch, love that.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238361)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Jul 16
@fishtiger58 In general, I avoid events that have large crowds. A 4th of July display in a smallish town would be OK, though.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
6 Jul 16
@TheHorse I love not having to fight the crowds to get home so I sit on my porch and it's so cool.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
6 Jul 16
I looked online for more information for my possible lifestyle change. I researched travel benefit credit cards and discovered that the cash back cards actually paid better. Nice.
Then I watched TV as the fireworks blasted in my community. It was too damp for me to go outside to watch. Bummer. But damp is good when people are setting off fireworks.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Jul 16
Just another day here - except for SO MANY posts about the 4th of July. But that's fine. Glad you were able to fix your guitar with damaging the finish.
@teamfreak16 (43664)
• Denver, Colorado
8 Jul 16
Our neighbour threw a big bash, so I hung out, watched fireworks, and then went to bed.
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
6 Jul 16
I'm glad you got it taken care of. I'm sure that fix was a lot cheaper than having someone else do it. My Fourth was quiet. I was here, watched a couple movies, and the grand finale of the local fireworks on the telly.
