The Fourth of July

I love the Fourth of July!  The fireworks, the patriotism, the star spangled banner fluttering in the warm (or really hot) summer breeze.  Eating hot dogs, mustard potato salad, watermelon, and drinking my favorite chilled beverage (the one item on this menu that has changed with the times).

This year we celebrate Independence Day with our family!  A family, however, that has evolved in many ways since the last time we celebrated our nation’s birth.  But, isn’t that the way it is with all families?  This year we joyfully, happily, excitedly celebrate with our oldest son’s fiancé.  What a blessing she is for our son and our entire family.  Our youngest is celebrating in Chicago with the life-long friends she has made while attending college in Rock Island, Il.  We will miss her this weekend, but we know our family is blessed to have such a strong, loving, independent daughter.  (Is that the scent of another road trip in the near future?)  The most difficult challenge has been facing the changes in our parent’s health.  My mom and dad celebrated their 63rd anniversary this past year.  Both are 83 and have lived in the same home since 1964.  They are both upstanding patriots who have always honored our community and nation.

This weekend there are all kinds of exciting ways to celebrate:

1. Catch a fireworks show.  It is kind of hokey, but I enjoy the one’s synched to all those “America is awesome” songs.
2. Hang out with friends and safely(!) and legally put on your own little fireworks show. (You can buy, but don’t dare shoot them off!)
3. Take a few minutes to re-read the Declaration of Independence:                              http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html ).   It is a pretty good read.
4. Watch our United States Women’s Soccer team take on Japan.  Sunday is the championship match and will be shown on your local Fox station at 4PM Pacific time. Nothing says “I’m a patriot” better than rooting on our nation’s team to the  World Cup championship.
5. Have a picnic, but don’t let the stuff dressed in mayo get warm.
6. Drive a Chevrolet to a baseball game and then eat some apple pie.
7. Reach out to a friend, family member, or that someone special you have been dying to talk to for a very long time.   Maybe fireworks will happen because you took the risk… you know, just like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, and Hancock did back in the day.

By the way, here is an awesome hot dog!  Happy Birthday, America!