Celebrate Liberty!

What a great day this was. It's one of my favorite holidays---when Americans gather to celebrate independence and freedom. I was torn between two events. Here in Trinidad, Janis Saunders was cutting the ribbon on at Saunders Park, a beautiful new park next to the Trinidad Museum and soon-to-be built Trinidad Library. Janis and Glenn Saunders have donated the land for all of this, as well as made very generous donations to each project. I am sure that it was a real celebration and tribute to these well-loved people who do so much for this community and I wish I could have been there.

Instead, I was in Ferndale, helping out with the Honor Flight float in the Fourth of July parade and it was a glorious event. First, what could be better than hanging out with a dozen American heroes on the Fourth of July? And it was even better since it was Ferndale---the only other town I'd want to live in besides Trinidad. It's a small dairy town, so we loaded up looking out over fields with grazing dairy cows. Then went past the horses and tractor entry as we got in line. The reception for the vets was wonderful---lots of clapping, cheering, and thank you's. This was a good warm-up for our booth at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale August 11-21. After the parade we enjoyed hamburgers at the barbecue put on by the Ferndale Rotary Club. Great burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and Humboldt Creamery vanilla ice cream, plus an opportunity to visit with the locals. Ferndale Rotary has been very generous to Honor Flight---these are real patriots. All of the Rotary Clubs in the county have been generous, but Ferndale, the smallest club, really came through. Many thanks to the members of this small but active group (having been to their meeting I can also add that they are the most lively)

When we got home, it was time to . . . relax. The sun was out, there was no wind (rare here on the coast), so I, well, I just sat outside for most of the afternoon and enjoyed looking at the ocean and garden, birds, bees and soaked it all up. It may not have been fireworks and festivities, but it was a chance to appreciate how fortunate I am to live in this beautiful place in this great country. I hope that all of you Americans also had an opportunity to take the time to celebrate this important day and this great nation. Happy Fourth of July!