July 4th - 250th U.S.A. Birthday

We enjoyed the holiday right here at home.  The condominium association where we live held an Independence Day gathering at our clubhouse with a mid-afternoon potluck at 2 p.m.  Fried chicken, water melon, sausages, and a variety of side dishes that yet again were too tempting to taste for us to stick with our diets.  

 

It was a fine opportunity to get to know some more of our neighbors, as the usual afternoon thunderstorm poured down outside while we conversed with those at our table.  By the time our dinner was over, the sun had returned and everyone headed home to nap, watch the celebrations around the country on television, or in our case following a nap-a short excursion over to Dairy Queen for ice cream.  (See what I mean about the impossibility of dieting over a holiday weekend?!)

We stayed up until 1 a.m watching the celebration in Washington, D.C., after rain delayed plans there.  But it was worth it.  Here, fireworks were banned due to dry conditions and brush fire potential.  Lightning causes enough fires here without adding to the potential hazard.  So when forty minutes of spectacular fireworks rewarded our late night vigilance, we were thrilled.  It's been a different kind of holiday this year.  We're feeling very patriotic and proud, and it's nice to recognize how blessed we are right now in our lives. 

 

Before the World Wakes

 7/3/26

Friday was one of those rare mornings when I awoke at 6:30 am, and actually felt like getting out of bed.  I quickly went out for a walk, avoiding the direct rays of the rising sun and enjoying a temperature a few degrees cooler than what an hour or so later would yield.  Two doves were just outside our door, roosting on the sprinkler pipes that run along the ceiling of our outside walkway.  They aren't used to me disturbing them at this hour of the day and they flew away from near our door up to the roof of the stairwell that takes one down to ground level.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The angle of the sun makes for good shadows and I played around with photos of my own shadow as I walked.  The light was also good for textures revealed by the almost white and black appearance of the base of a palm tree.

 

 

 

With the inspiration of painting a watercolor version of a red flower I photographed, and the reluctant company of one of our many rabbits along the way, and after a lengthy break from exercise-this early morning outing seemed like a perfect way to start the day.  

 

But Jim made the morning even better.  We went out for breakfast at Waffle House, and ignored our diet plan for at least a few yummy moments.  Now back to behaving!