Did YOU enjoy it?

Wow

the fireworks were spectacular!

Whether you saw them locally, set them off in your yard, heard them from the neighborhood

or

saw the Macy's 4th

or

the

Capital 4th

it

was a

RED/WHITE/BLUE

celebration

of

our

America

to be certain!

Good morning America

how are ya?

I hear a skinny cute little woman won the hot dog eating contest

by consuming an outrageous number of dogs this year with a twist as grills fired up around our great Nation!

Our President stayed close to home and celebrated his daughters' birthday

while the political campaign used the day

to try and win votes

(let's not miss an opportunity to take this day

and try to win votes and do a little bad mouthing of the man who sits in the White House while we're at it on the day of

celebrating or great country right)

And as we are enjoying the freedoms of our great country,

men and women fighting for our very freedoms

are over there in the sand

in the same uniforms they have been wearing for 4 months without changing their underwear for 4 months, or changing socks for longer

were eating from cans their rations

and hopefully sitting around

on the ground

having time to play some cards

and clean their weapons

rather than be in weapon exchange

with the Taliban

while we were enjoying

a cold beer and hot dogs and hamburgers

in our clean clothes

enjoying laughter with family and friends

without harm.

They will hear stories of how we missed them,

we will hear stories of what they did

and how it is going so far from home,

meantime here at home

folks gathered

many join in festivities

and

many spent time

thinking of those who were out there

just having the time of their lives!

Kamryn got to see those

"Monster Trucks"

and

once again was eating those big ole Turkey legs

cos' that little Godson of mine

does love to eat!

Bet he had a "bombdiggedity 4th"

and

enjoyed every minute, he and his brother are due to "touchdown" here in just a few days!

This just might be the look of:

"oops, look at the size of this"

and

"did ya have to take the picture NOW"

I can only imagine there are pictures like this being laughed about all over the country today

as folks reflect of the fun had over the weekend

and the laughter shared!

One thing is certain,

my little 4 leggeds will be absolute thrilled when the "bam/boom/zzzzzzizzle

is over!

Like that noise they did NOT

as they crawled up around my neck last night

looking for comfort and for quiet.

We enjoyed ribs and Sandy made some off the hook shrimp for the grill that Stewart masterfully cooked for us

as we sat around the table

enjoying our time together

while we listened to

Tarpon Springs as they set off firecrackers in the afternoon and color filling the air into the night

with booms, and hisses and razzle!

Tarpon Springs does love to set off fireworks,

but

we really enjoyed

watching

The Capital 4th

as DLB and I reflected on the many years of being there while watching the smiles on the faces, the dancing in the crowds

and those brave men and women

who have returned from war

sitting in the audience.

And in NY,

we watched Beyonce take the stage

and wow them

along with Brad Paisley and the energy could power the city

it was magical it was!

NOw

as we move into the week,

let us move that energy while remembering those fighting for our country,

let us not be caught up in the

"smak being talked" by those who are running for the White House

and bad mouthing our President.

Let us not be caught in the lies or the accusations that our President is responsible for troubles and debts that existed prior to his taking office; how ridiculous a claim is that,

after all

he's only been there a short time

how in the world could anyone expect him to fix the ails of all that has happened over the last 10 years so quickly?

Let us not stand in judgment

rather stand in unity

for all that makes our Nation

America

the

land of the free

because of the brave.

A land where we have choices

where we have the ability

to think

the ability to say

and do

and

be!

Sandy and Stewart are getting ready to take a brief respite from all they have been doing next door, and we think that a great idea! They are tired, they have been working non stop, they are tired.

So tired that Stewart was having someone to trim the palm fronds of my home when his saw broke and he went out and bought another, only later to have his friend visiting and then say to him, "Stewart, you just bought a new pole saw not so long ago, why did you buy another?" Stewart looked perplexed, thought his friend crazed, but went into his neatly organized garage, looked up... and don't you know, there it was! A brand new pole saw! During all of this, he had forgotten completely!

Now that is tired! That was the icing on the cake of a day that just went wrong ... it began with Joe the worker, falling off the ladder, then trimming my palm fronds (the association had the nerve to send me a letter that they were hanging down!) And as the cut was made one fell hitting him across the nose and cutting him! Then as he was mowing, he hit the water main at Stewart's and the water works began like a gusher!

NOT A GOOD DAY I TELL YA!

So the discovery that he went to buy and use a new pole saw, when it was discovered he already has a new pole saw, just sealed the deal... it is time for a break from all of this we are thinking!

><

What resiliency our dear friends have and have displayed since this arson.

We could all learn many lessons from this.

And we feel certain that after the break for a bit with their little granddaughter they will return with renewed energy for all that is yet to be done; but we are thinking they need to be here as the smell of soot continues to be there, and there is so much yet to be done, although they do have the back bedroom now complete with fresh paint, closet and bed!

It is coming along,

but

arson is truly a horrendous thing

and

still no arrest made.

That is quite discouraging, and I must believe that while justice is slow on this one,

it will come around.

They thank you all

and

We did have a good/great 4th of July

counting the many blessings

and

have become family during all of this

right here in our home

they know they are welcome

and

at home.

Jeepers loves LOVES

having his

Aunt Sandy and Uncle Stew

here

talk about "rotten"

he makes sure

that he gets in their bed for his morning dose of love and Stew reads the paper to him

before starting the day

over at the

"soot dew INN"

So friends,

"Whether you think you can,

or

Think YOu Can't,

YOU ARE RIGHT!

The fire is burning brightly in the prayer bowl, the sage is lit, with prayers and thoughts goin on the winds to you today.

Blessings to all

Walk In Beauty,

DRSES

http://www.drsherryeshowalter/

p.s.

great news arrived to me,

The Article printed in the esteemed

 Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

by Sage PUblications

was the most downloaded article

by SAGE

in 2009/2010

they sent me a congratulary email and wanted me to know!  I am so very honored.