Happy 240th Birthday, America

Happy 4th 2016 Growing up in New England, I took for granted just how lovely a summer's morning can be in Massachusetts. It's comfortably cool and everything smells clean and fresh. Spider webs glisten with morning dew and it's just great to be alive and breathe in the new day. Being back at Lin's house conjures up wonderful childhood memories of summer mornings past. And this is not just any morning … it's the 4th of July, the best holiday of the summertime in the USA.

As a kid, the 4th was always an occasion for a family get-together and things haven't changed. We've invited friends and relatives to celebrate a traditional 4th of July cookout with us at Lin's house. Hot dogs, hamburgers and BBQ chicken on the grill, potato salad, a big, juicy, sliced watermelon, cold beer, lemonade. The horseshoe pits are ready to go and the dart board has been set up. What a great way to remember America's Independence Day!

The fireworks started the night we arrived … just a small sampling of what's to come tonight. Some folks can't handle the anticipation and need to let off a little steam in advance. In theory, fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts, but it doesn't seem to deter anyone. There will be parades and fireworks galore throughout the country in remembrance of the “shot heard round the world”. We'll attend the local fireworks here in Walpole, cheer at the first blasts, ooooh and aaaah, clap our hands and yip with delight like little kids as the night sky explodes in dazzling color.

Happy 240th Birthday, America! It's great to be home.