The big intermission between this blog and the previous one today is because my friends were hosting a 4th of July party at their place, so I had driven over - it's a two-hour drive from where I am in Florida - along with an offering of baked bean casserole (beans, BBQ sauce, fried onion pieces, sharp cheddar cheese) - one of the few things I can cook half-well - to be with them and others for a few hours.
As much as the 4th of July can be this huge deal of fireworks and parades and evil presidents trying to take over our nation's capital with gaudy tasteless displays of faux Americana, what it should be - what it ought to be - is a day of getting together with friends and family and just hang out.
As much as we're celebrating the birth of this nation - this United States forged from thirteen British colonies throwing off the yoke of overseas empire - with a Declaration of Independence that is now a cornerstone of the ideals of liberty and justice across the world, we should be doing it with people we cherish (and defend if need be). The best freedom we should celebrate is the freedom to be joyful in the small moments.
And as much as baked beans can go well with grilled hot dogs and burgers, or with a chicken nugget platter with a side of cole slaw and potato salad, I think I overdid it because there were a lot of leftover baked beans, next time use just ONE can okay Paul? Sheesh.
Anyway, please don't use firecrackers or noisy fireworks tonight, so that our dogs, cats, and other pets are not terrified by the noise, thank you.
