the rhythm of the fourth

the 4th of July is such a special holiday.  Given that PLK served for 22 years, we are always grateful to those fore-parents for their work and sacrifice to see the potential in this great country.  if you haven't in a while, read our Constitution.  seriously, read it.  It's so cool.



we take a long holiday here.  we start with crazy menu planning, wood splitting and fire making, big fireworks, and quiet time on the beach. every year, our BFF joins us.

it's amazing and so wonderful and all kinds of great fun.

we had a gorgeous moon.



and abundant sunshine.



and tired dogs resting and napping.




tonight, we have ribs on the barbie and will celebrate a friend's birthday.  we hope to soak in the sun, read good books, and enjoy another day #EOTE.

cheers!

la lune

This is the full moon in July.  Full Buck Moon, Full Harvest Moon, and/or Full Thunder Moon.

Take your pick.  It's all beautiful.

From 2012-07-03

From 2012-07-03

From 2012-07-03

From 2012-07-03

And it will happen again tonight.  Cheers from EOTE.  

Summer living

How fortunate we are to be in Oscoda. To have neighbors who have embraced us as beach family, as if we have always been here. How fortunate we are in ways that I could never articulate, in ways that define life as far beyond ordinary.

We spent July 4th with neighbors, now friends, on the beach with amazing fireworks. It started with a little Boom Boom.

From July 4th 2011

The twilight.

From July 4th 2011

Then the show.

From July 4th 2011

From July 4th 2011

From July 4th 2011

From July 4th 2011

I didn't bother with the camera gear.  That night was all about people and fun and laughter; watching Paul and Jared light off fireworks and scamper away as the wick burned down.  It was about listening to the cheers up and down the beach as fireworks went off for over 2 hours, lighting up the sky in a brilliant cacophony of color and sound.  It was about drinking Boom Boom wine and listening to old friends catch up on life and letting new friends in.  

How fortunate we are indeed.  Cheers from East of the Equator.  

4th of July parade

I have grown to really love small town living.  This is the second year that we have attended the 4th of July parade in Oscoda.  It's so much fun.  Anyone can march, drive, cycle and motor in the parade.  It's a blast.

Colors

From 4th of July parade

Grand Marshall

From 4th of July parade

Music

From 4th of July parade

Honor

From 4th of July parade

From 4th of July parade

From 4th of July parade

From 4th of July parade

Balloons

From 4th of July parade

It's a little town when the parade will stop for pictures.  Really.

From 4th of July parade

He's baaaaaaack

From 4th of July parade

Those who keep us safe

From 4th of July parade

From 4th of July parade

From 4th of July parade

Happy birthday America! And next, the fireworks. Cheers!

July 4th

We had a thoroughly enjoyable 4th of July. Quiet, relaxed, a little work, a little rest and a wonderful dinner.

We capped off the night with a fireworks spectacular over Reed's Lake in East Grand Rapids. While the city is relatively empty (I think we are one of three families in the entire city not at cottages), the fireworks display was very well attended. And the weather, despite the bugs, could not have been more perfect.

Today is a day to enjoy the rest of the weekend. A little more reading and some time with @plkrat and @thedogsamson!