My father lives on the San Bernard River where they had major flooding. The boat parade scheduled for Saturday was cancelled. Peoples' boats were floating unmanned down the river at the mercy of the strong current ripping through the river. Thankfully, the flooding stopped just short of entering peoples' homes. Dad almost suffered the tragic loss his 7 1/2 foot pink flamingo, but, thankfully, he had the foresight to tie it off. (Pics of the flamingo must come later).
Friday was spent trapped indoors. We were foolish enough to venture out at one point, and we returned to the house looking like drenched rats. Movie rentals were the order of the day.
By the time Saturday arrived, the natives were becoming restless... Thankfully, we walked outside, and we were greeted with fleeting glimpses of blue skies. The dark gray thunderheads had disipated a bit, and the sky was now filled with my favorite puffy, billowy, white and gray clouds. So of course we had to venture out. We did hit some rain as we left, but only briefly.
And the closer we came to town (we live 30 minutes from the nearest city of any real size, and it only has a population of 22,000 plus people), the more the sky cleared. Here are some pics we snapped of our beautiful Texas skies...
I have lived in Texas since I was 6 years old, and I still have not adjusted to the hot, humid weather the summer brings. But, with it come these beautiful Texas skies, and I must say with them I am simply in love. They are beautiful and majestic, so deep and layered and intense.
Thankfully, the weekend began looking up. We went and saw "The Last Airbender," which I liked but my daughter said was just ok. Then, we went shopping for fireworks. This is one of our family's favorite times of year. A pyromaniac's dream!! And we have a little of the pyro bug in us.
The Fourth of July is a proud moment in American History. I love the display of the American Flag everywhere you go. Communities gather together in huge celebrations of American Freedom. You see everything American from hot dogs to apple pie, to the American soldier. Red, white, and blue is EVERYWHERE! People are genuinely happy! It just seems as if we are all taken back to a simpler time where family, community, and the celebration of the simple things in life are the order of the day. I am truly proud to be an American.
This year, we chose to go it simple with a family bar-b-que at my mom's, and fireworks to follow. My daughter is the grandmaster of our firework show, and I simply love to see her beautiful face light up with child-like glee as she lights the fireworks in giddy anticipation of the glittery, colorful display to come. I love watching my mom, who enjoys the show as much as Danie. You can see the child from long ago emerge in her smile and childlike laughter as she throws the "Snappers" and writes her name in the night sky with a glowing red-hot sparkler. These moments are indelibly etched into my heart and mind forever.
This weekend did not begin with much promise, but it did close with a huge bang! I am so grateful to live in this beautiful country we call America. God has truly blessed us! And I reminded that freedom is never free. Many millions of Americans have paid with their lives so we can enjoy our freedom today. My thanks go out to their families and loved ones who have paid the price as well. May God hold you close to his heart and turn you ashes into beauty.
May God Bless America!!!
Those are some nice pictures. I really like the ones of the fireworks; looks like you were able to have a fun 4th of July after all!
ReplyDeleteAnd I completely agree with you about freedom; my thanks, too, go out to those who've felt the price of it in their lives.