Happy 4th to everybody

Happy Independence Day to all. I just got back from a great neighborhood tradition I will be bringing to my new community when I move. The local fire department has been hosting a family parade for the last 7 years. All the local kids (and parents and animals) dress up and decorate their scooters, bikes and of course themselves and meet up to sing the national anthem. Then we all follow the fire trucks around a 1.5 mile loop waving flags and mingling with everyone in the community. At the end all the families meet up to hang out and listen to music and the firefighters hand out stickers, tattoos, firefighter hats and candy to the kids. It makes the morning feel much more special than hanging out in the back yard tending to a smoker or grill. I hope everybody has some time to appreciate the freedoms we have and hug your loved ones, maybe say hi to some of the neighbors too.