For What It's Worth
Fourth of July fireworks I came down for the fireworks in Holly Springs on Friday, July 3 and saw the set up for the Byhalia First Baptist Church festival on Saturday, July 4, before I had to return home for the evening. Pretty impressed by it all, I thought it was a job well done on both ends. Although I couldn’t stay for the Byhalia show, I saw some pictures on the Internet and they looked very impressive. You know how to put on a celebration for America’s 250th birthday party.
Saturday night, I came home from Byhalia to have dinner with my wife and we then proceeded to do our tradition of watching fireworks in Southaven. We can take a lawn chair, walk to the street corner, and view the fireworks clearly from there. What we weren’t expecting, however, was the bigger, louder show going on just down the street in the neighborhood. They were big, they were loud, and they were too close for my comfort.
Between the city show and the neighborhood explosions around us, we had finally seen (and heard) enough for the night and retreated inside our home for the remainder of the evening. I talked to my next door neighbor as we were going inside and he said they were about finished for the night, which was good news because I wanted to have somewhat of a peaceful sleep before church Sunday morning.
As long as we have been living in Mississippi, I’m still trying to get used to having the neighborhood sound like the Battle of Leningrad every July 4. You grow up on a farm, you have your own show in the farmyard or back behind the barn, or go see the town’s celebration and that was it.
I understand it, I put up with it, but if you shoot off fireworks (legally, I hope) make sure the finale is done by midnight so the rest of us can get some sleep! Also remember, there are people with mental health struggles and pets that don’t like the noise, so be aware of and be respectful of that at the same time. World Cup
Does anyone watch the World Cup?
I’ve been interested from a sports standpoint but my interest in this every-four-year tournament this year has peaked for other reasons as well.
For instance, my wife knows nothing about the game but she has been intrigued by the other nation’s fans while in the United States. “No Scotland, no party,” especially attracted her when the Scots were still in contention.
But, from time to time, we’ll see on video or the internet how international fans have reacted to what they’ve found while here in the States. They say they were told about all the negatives of the USA before they came but have been astonished by what they’ve found.
International fans are surprised at the conveniences we take for granted and are using social media to spread their astonishment back to their homeland. Americans’ friendliness to visitors has surprised foreign fans.
Japanese fans actually clean up after themselves following their games. They pick up all of the trash and put it into trash bags to be put away. It’s a tradition they’ve held since the first time their country was in a World Cup, in 1998. Others are fascinated by this, but I read where it is an extension of what they are taught as children in school. They are told to leave their space the way they found it. The players even clean up the locker room before they leave. This is really part of the Japanese lifestyle.
“Tatsu tori ato wo nigosazu” is the saying that, when translated to English literally is, “A bird leaves nothing behind.” You may also read it as, “Return it the way you found it.”
The Norwegian fans are seen at games appearing to row the boats en masse as the Vikings they are in a group cheer to support their side. That attracted NFL quarterback Jameis Winston, who was then seen at a Norway game dressed as a Viking and proceeded to join in the “rowing.”
Winston, in his role as a television correspondent, has also seen helping the Japanese clean up the stadium after a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in the group stage.
From the competition side, I enjoy soccer but I rarely consume it in its entirety. I understand the game and have watched a lot of it over the years, but not much recently. I actually talked our church group on a road trip of two hours for a game a long time ago, when the Minnesota Kicks were part of the professional NASL, and Pele was the big global name in the sport.
I watched the entire first “knockout” match with the USA against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which the Americans won 2-0, or 2-nil in soccer jargon. That set up Monday’s meeting with Belgium in the “Round of 16,” but settled for just the first half of a match that ended 4-1 for Belgium. Up until Monday, I had been following the progress, though, and am happy that USA men’s soccer is making an impact.
The “red card” episode of American star forward Falorin Balogun, first suspending him for the Monday game, then having the suspension being lifted, then the retraction being appealed by Belgium and the appeal being denied, added more to Monday’s game. It was reported President Donald Trump made an appeal to the head of FIFA on Falogun’s behalf, who then said he made the suspension being lifted his own decision. I saw the foul and thought the red card was excessive, but if the official made the decision, that decision should stand, regardless of what I think of it. I do hope the FIFA reversal was their own decision and not influenced by a Presidential phone call.
Despite Monday’s loss, the growth of the sport in the nation continues to grow, along with the interest through Major League Soccer (MLS) and local programs. But U.S. Soccer is still steps behind the Europeans and teams in South America. However, Americans are supporting their side and with that support a bit of patriotism is returning, at least for now. That is nice to see.
So, we have that, and we also have made many positive impressions from those who came here from overseas to cheer on their country.
Just remember, “No Scotland, no party!” We can leave our kilts at home.
That’s what I have for now... for what it’s worth.
Bob Bakken is editor of the South Reporter.