SOME LEFTOVER STEW...

Isn't this pathetic? 

 I still have never figured out 

how to take a decent photo of fireworks.

 We didn't plan to go to

 the actual fireworks this year,

 but we did get in the car 

at about 9:15 PM,

 turn the radio up loud 

(so maybe the dogs couldn't hear the booms)

 and drove towards the fairgrounds.

 There are lots of hills 

around where you can see the show and 

just by driving around

 we could see quite a few. 

 The streets were lined with throngs

 of people and

 all seemed to be sticking to the law 

of "no personal fireworks allowed".

 Kai was still afraid and shaking 

but there seems to be no 

talking him out of it 

whether he is home or not. 

 Robin is a totally different story. 

 She is very calm and 

the sounds don't bother her.

Every 4th of July 

our town and Nevada City, 

a small town next to us, 

take turns putting on the

 Independence Day parade.

  This year was our turn and 

even though we didn't actually attend,

 we could sit on the front porch and 

hear the marching bands playing.

  It really was a beautiful day and

 sitting and rocking 

seemed to be just the 

right way to spend it...

...we were able to have 

our own little fireworks celebration

 right here in our own front garden.

 The zinnias are blooming so prettily and 

the bright colors are bursting out

 with a tribute of their own
 to the rockets red glare.

I think I mentioned 

that my hydrangeas did not do well this year,

 but a couple 

out of the seven bushes we have

 proved me wrong..

The purple one, above, 

is usually more blue than purple 

but it is still bright and pretty and 

the pink one always has

 good size blooms

 on sturdy stems.

We have more blooms

 on the butterfly bush this year 

than ever before, and 

the Captain's trimming 

didn't hurt it

 one bit...

...and I am just now beginning 

to see butterflies

 coming around.

I finally got

 a pretty good photo of "Big Gulp". 

 His head is so red and

 with the green stripe down his back, 

he looks very elegant in person.

  We have been noticing 

a "Little Gulp"

 coming around also. 

 He is much smaller 

but still has the same

 bright colors.

We took our first trip 

to the Farmer's Market this past weekend. 

 We stocked up on some 

wonderful fruit

 that was sweet and juicy and,

 of course,

home grown tomatoes and

 pretty flowers...

...which fit right in

 with the patriotic colors 

just like they 

belonged there.

Now the hard part happens. 

 Taking down and putting away

 all the decorations. 

 They were enjoyed 

while they were here 

but now the time has come for

 just plain old back to normal 

until it is time 

to concoct

 another stew.

Hope you had a wonderful 
4th of July.

...Judy...

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