4th of July Sushi

Part of the fun of a holiday is the traditional foods that go with the holiday, don't you think? For me, part of the 4th of July tradition is sushi. Before you think me totally lacking in the appropriate patriotic holiday sentiment, let me explain. We have a great 4th of July ceremony each year at The Korean Friendship Bell, a gift from the Republic of Korea for the American Bicentennial. It stands on the edge of our peninsula, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in an elaborately painted pavillion, and is only rung on certain days of the year. The path to the pavillion is lined with the flags of each state, cheerfully flapping in the breezy sky, the overall effect is a dazzling display of color and charm.On the 4th of July there's a gathering of dignitaries from the USA and South Korea, a flag ceremony, invocation from a local pastor, the national anthem and several patriotic songs by local singers (including a cantor from the local Jewish temple), a benediction from a local Korean reverend, funny and moving speeches wishing the USA a happy birthday and hoping for reunification of Korea. At the end of the ceremony, the speeches, prayers and singing, the bell is rung 16 times - once for each of the 13 original states of the USA (the crowd shouts out the name of each state as the bell is rung) and three times for 'the peaceful and democratic reunification of Korea'. Unfortunately the Korean Consul couldn't make his scheduled appearance this year, one of his staffers stood in, the Consul was called to a meeting with the President thanks to some shifty behavior (aka rocket launches) by North Korea yesterday.

After all of this, a local Korean-American group hands out refreshments - water, sushi, chips and soda, something for everyone. Usually I subject the kiddos to their annual 'photo for mum' ordeal, but this year they escaped as my daughter is out in the desert dirt-bike riding, and my son had suffered enough after being dragged to my favorite way to celebrate Independence Day at an hour when he normally would have been rolling over for some more zzzzzs :)Still to come at our house - a more traditional US style BBQ, and watching fireworks from our deck (because we can see tons of them from up there, and I don't have to deal with crowds, parking, etc.). In my search for traditional fare - burgers and buns, apple pie, fresh fruit - I discovered a new fruit at Trader Joe's, well, new to me, called "Apriums" - yes, and apricot and plum hybrid - really delicious! The sun is blazing, blue skies shining, birds are singing - Happy 4th of July. Since this is truly a nation of immigrants, what better way to observe it than with a multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-faith celebration?

Speaking of the sky, check here to see what other skywatchers see when they look up and out: Skywatch Friday

This was the benediction at today's service, I'm a sucker for anything that ends with peace:

May The Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,

and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,

and give you peace.

How do you celebrate the holiday?