Saturday, July 4, 2020

Had Some Chances...

that's my "1 putt for par" position on #2

...but didn't cash in...Calamity Jane done me wrong...thus got skunked in the par department.

What?  You didn't think I was going to take the blame for my lousy putting, did you?

Otherwise it was a pretty good round...
another "1 putt for par" possibility...

...hit my repaired mid-iron with some proficiency and did quite well with both my mashie and niblick.

Only real complaint was about the bugs...
...you get the idea...

...it was one of those hot, muggy, still days when black gnats buzz around your head as soon as you stop moving.

Should have remembered the Cutter's but oh well...still an enjoyable stroll through the countryside with my hickories.



Recently had both patios stained to match the trim on the house...




Big improvement.



#5 son and his bride are staying with us for a few days...

...and as always it's a pleasure to see Benjamin and Brooke.

We're in the middle of a heat wave...

...ok, so it's not quite that bad...but it is plenty hot 'round these parts, so they're enjoying Holland's state park on the shores of Lake Michigan during the days and visiting with us in the evenings.

Good company, good conversation, good times.



Today is July 4th...Independence Day...

...our country's 244th birthday.

We're definitely starting to show our age just lately, with civil unrest and sharply partisan politics dividing us.

The Covid scare hasn't helped, with people being locked down and social distanced; a sense of isolation and fear has gripped many people.

In these uncertain times it seems appropriate to remember a famous quote from Thomas Paine - often called The Father Of The American Revolution for his tireless championing of the cause of Freedom:


“THESE are the times that try men's souls.

"The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

"Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”


We've all heard it said but it remains true today:

Freedom is never free; it's purchased in blood.

So on this day as you enjoy your God given, blood bought rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, give thanks you live in the greatest country on earth.

It's not perfect because it's filled with all of us imperfect sinners.

But we push forward with the Great American Experiment because as Abraham Lincoln correctly noted during the Civil War...

...we will either "...nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth".

We soldier on.

God Bless America, y'all.



Once around the horn...
absolutely love this shimmering moonlight pic from Larry up at his camp...



...and here's the grand finale from the fireworks display over the lake



our neighborhood fireworks, believe it or not...impressive stuff...


first black eyed susans of the season



view from the command center...



...and the Castle Frankenstein all decked out for the 4th



Benjamin and Brooke relaxing



later, mcm fans...

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