yesterday was a pretty fun and relaxing time laughing, drinking and eating with friends. we live in a second story unit in a complex of identical apartments. i like it well enough most of the time, i get to maintain my anonimity fairly well, but when the fourth of july rolls around i feel twinges of nostalgia for fourth of july’s spent with my family in eureka, nevada. many of my family members live there and the fourth of july is pure small-town-americana: egg tossing, 3-legged couples races, beer drinking, parading, float building, grilling, cowboys, and fireworks. all of the festivities are situated right on the main road…which happens to be an expanse of highway 50 that proclaims it is the “friendliest town on the loneliest road in america”. they literally shut down the highway for the greater part of the morning and early afternoon, travelers have to detour. seriously. i do not normally long for eureka, in fact i avoid visits there almost always. too small, too remote, and too rural…and i am too liberal, so i’ve been told. maybe next year.
instead, we had a small gathering of friends that are like family. katie and casey, bailey, josh, sean and myself. i made burgers, potato salad, grilled asparagus, sangria and mini pound cakes. i used dorie greenspan’s recipe, but in miniature and my loaves were not expertly marbled. my last attempt at pound cake had a large crater in the center, but this time i left the oven door closed and walked away until the timer called. i felt pretty accomplished. they came out beautifully–tender and delicious with whipped cream and ice cream…as well as alone.
i hope everyone celebrating had a good time, good food and drink, and good company.