Independence Day 2026

2026 Fourth of July, Saturday afternoon:

This section is the 'BBQ 🍖 at Paul & Mary's' chapter, not the evening fireworks 🧨 part yet. That will be part 2 as there's much to remember & share with a few friends and family. As you know, I don't share with the world 🌎 . Only with selected people who I think might enjoy reading or seeing 👀 what I'm UP TO.

I know what you're thinking, as Del would say, "Vicky, you were UP TO no good right?" Wrong!! Just having a little fun.

In part 2 there are some things you most likely have never seen before.

Anyway, Jim 😎 & I were invited to Paul & Mary's home for a Fourth of July barbecue which included family & friends. I always have a good time with our circle of friends.

Robin & Bob were there & Bob manned the grill.

Robin co-managed the kitchen with hostess Mary.

Did You Know? -

1. The average ear of corn has 800 kernels in 16 rows.
   
   
2. Only 1% of corn planted in the United States is sweet corn.
   
   
3. Corn cobs always have an even number of rows.
   
   
4. The types of corn grown in America are dent corn, flint corn, pod corn, popcorn, flour corn, and sweet corn.
   
   
5. The world record for the tallest corn stalk is more than 35 feet.
   
   
6. An acre of corn eliminates 8 tons of carbon dioxide from our air.
   
   
7. There are 125 calories in a cup of corn.
   
   
8. An ear of corn has one silk stand for every kernel.
   
   
9. Each corn plant produces one to three cobs each.
   
   
10. More than 90 million acres on earth are dedicated to producing corn.
    
    
11. Corn was first domesticated in southern Mexico more than 10,000 years ago.
    
    
12. Corn became more widely popular in the late 1700s when it became accessible to Europeans.
    
    
13. Corn is used in foods like cereal, potato chips, soft drinks, cooking oil, and more.
    
    
14. Corn is used in non-food items like fireworks, glue, fabric, crayons, fuel, paint, laundry detergent, cosmetics, and plastics.
    
    
15. Corn is grown on every continent with the exception of Antarctica.
    
    
16. Usually corn is yellow, but it can also come in colors such as green, red, or white.
    
    
17. While many consider corn a vegetable, it's actually both a grain and a fruit.
    
    
18. Sweet corn becomes starchy easily, so it should be eaten within a few days after picking.
    
    
19. The scientific name for sweet corn is Zea mays saccharate or Zea mays rugosa.
    
    
20. The first mechanical corn harvested was invented by Gleaner Harvester Combine Corporation in 1930.
    
    
21. A bushel of corn can sweeten 400 cans of soda.
    
    
22. Most countries outside of the United States call corn maize.
    
    
23. 91 gallons of water is needed to produce one pound of corn.
    
    
24. Maize is a Taino word that means "sacred mother" or "giver of life".
    
    
25. The United States produces about 1/3 of the world's corn.