Red Room Where the Writers Are

Yesterday, as everyone knows, was July fourth.  While not everyone celebrates it, we Americans do.  Although this year because of economic reasons many communities have cut back or eliminated fireworks.  Not so where I live.  Perhaps because it is the bicentennial year of our city, we had awesome fireworks.  They set them off by the river's edge about a quarter mile from where our sailboat is docked.  We had fireworks that practically burst open right in front of us.  As my son who was home on leave said, "They almost were too much to take in...one exploding after another!" He was right; the finale was just like that. One explosion with nearly simultaneous explosions lasting for five minutes or so.  With next week's riverfest the city will have another dazzling display of pyrotechnics, too.  If they are anything like last night's fireworks, my husband and I will be back down at the boat gazing up at the sky being awed by the sights and sounds of "bombs bursting in air".

My son, however, left early this morning and has returned to his base.  It was wonderful to have him home especially since we got to celebrate his birthday while he was home.  In fact, my whole family...father, sisters, spouses, and kids...got together for a cookout yesterday, too.  It doesn't happen often enough, but that is the reality of children becoming adults with lives of their own.  

Of course, with my kid gone, my husband and I decided to do something different.  Intead of our usual walk, we got out the bicycles and took a long ride around town.  Not many steps on the pedometer, but I guess I have to make do with the exercise of the bike.  I suspect we'll both be sore tomorrow and it is always exhausting getting back into the rhythm of our lives.