A Spectacular Event

We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful 4^th of July!

It's unusual for the entire clan to assemble away from the lodges, but on this special night, like many before, Atnas and Hantar gathered all members at the top of the hill near the river.  The bluff here was densely covered with bayberry and beach plum, to the extent that one could not see the clearing overlooking the harbor amid that ring of vegetation.  The elders sat in the center surrounded by the others, and all rested on woven blankets waiting for the thunderous lights which were about to come.   

Many years before they learned that on this particular night the tall ones let loose with their cannons, shooting high into the air, exploding in great beautiful colors.  They did not know why this had become the custom; but they did know that when the tall one who farmed the land near them lined his drive with flags, the next night the light show would come.  And so it was this eve, and with each loud explosion in the sky above them, came the veils of colored light, every pattern a bit different than the others. They cheered as the intensity of the event grew to its finale; and when it was over they stood and bowed to the southeast where the cannons were fired.  Then they waited for the smoke of the display to drift across the water and fill their nostrils with the scent of the exploding lights, as this heartened their spirits even more and entrenched a memory never to be forgotten.