Happy Birthday, America!

What a beautiful week!

It's been a bit cold here in the Ohio. Normally, we are beginning to swelter - but this year's a bit different. We have slept under a down comforter each night. We have a window air conditioner, but rarely have to use it. It's usually cool out here in the country.

But lately, it's been downright cold. I'm telling you, it's been cold.

I meandered my way up to Fern's on Tuesday. Jean and her family rent a cottage up there for a couple of weeks each year, so Betty drove from Akron, I drove from Mansfield, and we enjoyed a "sisterhood" day. We enjoyed lunch, then did some much-needed shopping. I don't remember the last time we were all together. We truly enjoy each other - with an occasional spat - but not very often.

I cam home with a ton of fruit that Kerry jumped into. There's nothing like summertime fruit.

Kerry had Wednesday off, and we just got all kinds of stuff done. He started the morning being fitted for a crown. I told him not to start acting like king. Afterward, we drove deep into the heart of Amish country to a produce auction. It was truly in the middle of nowhere. The drive there took my breath away. Once there, we were surrounded by Amish people that had brought in lots of produce and flowers for auction. On this trip, we didn't buy anything - but next time I think we probably will. The prices were phenomenal. One man was telling me that a couple of months ago, he bought a pallet of tomato plants that were quite mature - up above his knees. He paid about $1.25 per plant. Hanging flower baskets were going for $2.50. Here's their website: http://knox.osu.edu/horticulture/owl-creek-produce-auction/owl-creek-produce-auction

We ran a few more errands, then came home to do some work before going to our Spanish class.

While Eddie was at the spa on Thursday, I was at my doctor's office. They are arranging for some more tests for me, so I guess some of my days will be spent with that.

Friday was extremely busy at the temple. In our area, attendance at the temple is up 20% over last year - 49% church wide. People are coming for peace and for strength. That evening, Kerry and I had our own private fireworks show - they were being launched at Snow Trails - the ski resort behind our house. They were BEAUTIFUL! I don't know why they didn't do that the past 25 years we've lived here - WHEN WE HAD KIDS AT HOME!!!

Saturday was one of the best 4th of July holidays we have ever had. It began by going to a church in Ontario - a town not too far from here. They had a wonderful breakfast - egg and cheese strata, bacon, eggs, pancakes, biscuits and sausage gravy, toast, breakfast goodies, juices - all for a donation. They did a fine job.

On the way home, we stopped at the Farmer's Market in Bellville. We love going to that each Saturday. The young girl that started it was selling her wonderful cookies and brownies. We talked to her for quite awhile. She started researching on how to get one started when she was nine years old. It has now been going for seven years. We love supporting the locals with their baked goods, herbs, produce, etc.

As we were leaving, we saw where they were having a parade in about an hour, followed by an ice cream social. Okay. We ran home, dropped off Eddie, grabbed our chairs, went back and found our spot. It was great! We LOVE small town America. The parade was just long enough - just about half an hour. There were the typical entries - including veterans, fire trucks and alpacas. Yes, alpacas. The patriotism was contagious. I've included pictures at the end.

The ice cream social was delicious! Just enough time had passed for us to be hungry again. In this little town, people don't shake hands when they greet - they embrace and they kiss. Everyone knows everyone. We were thankful to be there.

Maybe it meant a lot to me this year because 54 years ago, someone took a picture of my mother standing sideways on the Bellville bridge on July 4 - just four days before I was born.

Just like we're thankful to be part of this great land. We came back to our own little piece of America and had a bonfire in the evening. And, as we were going to sleep, the neighbors across the road had a wonderful fireworks show that we watched from our bedroom window.

It doesn't get much better than that!

Here's some photos:
Singing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Bandstand.
Pentunias and the flag - in front of a furniture that's closing.
Children after the parade
A couple that won a trophy for something...
This couple was in front of us as we waited to go into the firehouse for the ice cream social.
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My Kerry
Kerry insisted on taking a picture of me.

And...a good read:

This is a keeper, so we don't forget. Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men
who signed the Declaration of Independence ?Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,
and tortured before they died.Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;
another had two sons captured.Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or
hardships of the Revolutionary War.They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor.What kind of men were they?Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants,
nine were farmers and large plantation owners;
men of means, well educated,
but they signed the Declaration of Independence
knowing full well that the penalty would be death if
they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and
trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the
British Navy. He sold his home and properties to
pay his debts, and died in rags.Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British
that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.
He served in the Congress without pay, and his family
was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,
and poverty was his reward.Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,
Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that
the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson
home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General
George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,
and Nelson died bankrupt.Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.
The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.
Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill
were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests
and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his
children vanished.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and
silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.Remember: freedom is never free!