Happy 4th of July, Everyone!

It's been a very nice Independence Day for me. I was able to mow the lawns and attend to some much needed weeding in the front perennial bed. Then a thunderstorm rolled through and I shifted to interior cleaning mode, dealing with some pretty grimey cushions for the patio furniture. The husband worked until 3 PM and when he returned home we had a late lunch/early supper. Picnic food! potato salad, hot dogs, vegetables, and baked beans. I saw Ben&Jerry;'s on the counter, too.

I think we will skip the fireworks and just snuggle in at home. It was great to see the sun come out yesterday and today... not a thought of a fire in the stove tonight!

Warm wishes to all for a safe and relaxing Independence Day wherever you are.

Still raining here, It has been raining very light all day.

'Bout 90F here this afternoon. Goin' over to my cousin's for BBQ shortly. We'll come back over to our house for the fireworks, because we have a beautiful unobstructed view of Pilot Butte where they set them off from the deck out the back of our house. Hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe celebration of our nation's independence. If you're so inclined you might pause to give some thought to the bold, courageous people who forged the documents and fought the war and bought us the opportunities we all have today with their own brains, imaginations, hopes, dreams, sweat, blood, tears, and determination. They knew it wasn't perfect from the start...it still isn't...but they felt they had to launch it anyway, if real freedom was going to have a testing ground. Rick

Everyone have a great 4th of July

I'd venture a guess that the average Hearth.com reader is quite a bit more independent-minded than most people. Rather than give in to the tyranny of high monthly heating bills, we have found many alternative ways to keep ourselves warm and cozy throughout the winter. As a result of our efforts, we generate an "I can do this myself" spirit--which carries on into other aspects of our lives, and fosters the very kind of independence this nation's founding fathers had in mind for us 233 years ago.

Happy Independence Day!

Yesterday, I spent the day splitting firewood and watching a friend who is younger and stronger than my other younger and stronger friend, use my 10# sledge and wedges make mincemeat of the 36" to 42" rounds I had previously split into halves. We attended an extended family barbeque where all shared fond memories, great food, and much conviviality. Most of the women spent hours ogling over Lucy, the newest one month old member of the family.

There were intervals when I spent some time thinking of how fortunate we are as a nation to be free and independent of any colonizing power and of the many women and men who made it happen so many years ago.

Best wishes and fond memories to all.

John_M

Hmmm . . . never thought I would see the day, but I actually had a small fire going on the 4th since it was still a bit chilly in the house and I had some junk wood to burn up. It was good to have a fire . . . but on the 4th of July . . . I mean, c'mon . . . they say Maine has four seasons: Winter, Mud Season, the 4th of July (aka Summer) and Fall. So much for Summer.