Happy Birthday America!

Today is the Fourth of July - one of my favorite holidays! It's a time to enjoy our freedom as Americans, to honor those who serve and protect and to remember those who have given their lives in defense of this country. I always become nostalgic when I think of the history of this country both good and bad.

I celebrated by going to a cookout at my neighbors and then Molly and I went to see fireworks. I've included some pictures but they are not the best and don't do the fireworks justice. I love fireworks - many years ago I lived in a house that was so close to the fireworks set-up area you would be enveloped

by the smoke. (Today that would be a huge hazard but back then it was just part of the fun.) I could sit on my front steps and have my own private viewing!

Someti

mes it would be so cold I would curl up in a quilt as I watched the display

overhead.

What a great country! Happy Birthday America!