Happy 4th!

We celebrated Independence Day the traditional way--starting with burgers and dogs with friends. A few Dutch Blitz games with the kids added to the fun. Once we finished eating in a cool, fly-free, air-conditioned environment, we grabbed lawn chairs and headed out to Harry Myers Park in Rockwall.

Jeanne Lay and The Loose Cannons sang for three hours straight while we sprawled on the grass and fanned ourselves. After parking our blankets and chairs on a hill that overlooked the lake, we watched the kids play with glow sticks. When the sun disappeared, reds, whites, and blues--along with a few other colors--filled the sky, and "booms" interrupted songs like "Proud to be an American" and "America, the Beautiful." It reminded me of the RV trip we took across country several summers back when we saw purple mountain majesty and amber waves of grain.

Having a closer-than-usual vantage point brought a thrill when the finale fanfare illuminated the sky directly overhead. Indeed, America, God has "shed His grace on thee."

Getting home with the other million people out last night took more than an hour, but we had tunes and friends. Good times.

It seems the world has turned July 4 into a week-long celebration this year. My daughter is off from summer school till Monday. So tomorrow I'm making apple pie and loading the "Stars and Stripes Forever" onto my iPod.  Happy 4th, y'all!