Let Freedom Ring

There is definitely something beautiful about red, white and blue.  This weekend we enjoyed our community parade with the Bea girl.  She really loved dancing with the bands especially the Samba band.  This year I loved, loved, loved being able to show some gratitude for the fire and hot shot crews who worked tirelessly to protect our community this past month from two wildland fires which were burning dangerously close to homes and our beloved hiking trails.  Parade sponsors handed out signs for on-lookers to hold as the firefighters came through the parade.  Tears flowed down my cheeks as I watched everyone jump to their feet cheering and thanking those firefighters who joined in our little home town parade.  Between the firefighters and the veterans I cried a little too much for one parade.  (Thanks, mom for the sensitive crying gene.)  Hopefully others near us didn't notice my need for a kleenix.  With all seriousness this is one of my favorite holidays and I love to read non-fiction books about the revolution and the miracles that took place during the birth of this beautiful country.  This years book was John Adams by David McCullough.  The book is a great read although very long.