I feel free!

Isn't that what Independence Day is all about?
Acknowledging your freedom and feeling gratitude for those who made/make it possible. To those responsible: I salute you.

Was it just me or did it seem strangely quiet for July the 4th? There were very few fireworks displays to be seen on the drive home from New Prague and for stretches of the drive, you can see the sky for miles. Generally that 9:30 to 10:15 drive is a visual treat punctuated with lots of 'oohs & aahs'. Not much action in the firecracker arena at home either. Perhaps it's because many of the young boys now have a license to drive and a car to take them elsewhere. It was strange and yet, today I feel uncharacteristically calm. Most likely due to having my nerves intact and not shredded by constant snaps, crackles and pops.

Also, we recreated yesterday. Yes indeed! Sat on a dock by the lake & soaked up some sun. That is, until the little black rain cloud we'd seen to the north slid south and made a 45 minute monsoon. The drivers seat in my car should now be fully clean - and almost dry.Thanks honey! Remind me to have your car interior pressure washed to return the favor.

We enjoyed some grilled turkey tenderloin and a rhubarb/strawberry/custard pie I'd made with the harvest from my garden. For the record: rhubarb = yuck in my book. But the strawberry made it tasty. I'd even go so far as 'yummy'. Of course, most things smothered in Kirkland Vanilla ice cream can be discribed as 'yummy'.

Afterwards, my long-absent sister-in-law and I went for a 3.5 mile walk and had a really good chat. We both needed it. I have missed her deeply and didn't really realize how much. Let's hope its a new beginning to an old friendship gone dormant.

Today Hubby made us sausage links and cinnamon french toast on the Foreman. Wow! I love his cooking. It's the best because the things he makes are always wonderful AND I don't have to get dressed and go out to eat them!! SCORE!

A trip to Target for more pie baking provisions necessitated the dreaded outside clothing. While there, the power went out. (sssh....after getting eggs and flour, I was looking at towels even though I had no business there....alright already...YES! I felt guilty & caught in the act.) It was impressive how their generator kicked in to provide auxiliary lights and battery backup kept a few registers humming. All the employees hit the aisles to offer assistance and commerce kept happening. I love Target! And no, I didn't buy any towels.

Then we went for an 8 mile bike ride. I know. Eight miles! Our first ride this year. Astonishing, given my history with bike rides. It was actually fun! And not painful. The 10 months of LA Fitness have definitely made a difference in my strength and endurance. Even though I missed all of March and most of May, my knees and lungs were better able to rise to the challenge. That, and a new inhaler. That thing is miraculous! Chemistry is a wonderful science.

So now it's back to pie baking while I wait for the girls to arrive for our car-washing party and BBQ.

This has been a good weekend.