Happy 4th of July!

Today is day three of my fourth of July weekend cookout marathon.  Saturday we spent time with Amanda and her family (both the kids were home with those adorable grandkids, Big Wheels, Tommy, Drewster, and Will) AND Amanda's SIL and her family, AND my daughter Kat....complete with precious Jax (Della's son),...plus a random scattering of other family members and friends....and we cooked out hotdogs, hamburgers, and went for an awesome boat ride to see the baby eaglets. What a wonderful day.  I love my family!   Yesterday we went to Mary's in Alex City for Bill's cookout extravaganza.  You never know what kind of meat Bill is going to cook....he uses three grills/smokers/cooker....but you know it is going to be wonderful.  This party was complete with sons and familys, school teacher friends and spouses, a mom and dad thrown in, and a nephew and family.  After the super meal the thunder had passed and the sky had cleared and the kids and Mary went and got in the pool.  Frank and I took that opportunity to slip out.  I love spending time with good friends....don't you?  Today we are headed back to Amanda's for a chicken que.  Ramona is making white chocolate dipped strawberries with blue tips to give us a patriotic dessert.  If I have any energy left this evening we may ride over to Franklin, GA and see the fireworks.  We may stay home and watch somebodies fireworks thing on TV.  The key word here is  "may."  I did want to share a beautiful poem that I found today.    It was written by Mac McGovern and I found it quite by accident.....but loved it and thought it fit today.

It Is You

Author: Mac McGovern

"A symbol of respect, pride, and strength,

not to be ruffled, wadded, or soiled,

to be folded, unfurled, raised for all to see,

as in going into battle resounding victory.

Not to be tattered, torn, or burned in effigy,

rather a symbol of hope to those in bondage,

of hate for those who seek to enslave,

of patriotism to those who guard fiercely,

enshrined with those who died for liberty,

entrusted to each generation to decide its fate,

to be the most loved or most hated,

to be seen in every city, state, and on foreign soil,

wherever seen, America is found.

No other symbol rises above or would be allowed,

representing freedom, recognized the world round,

a powerful adversary to an enemy

a gentle giant to those who are represented.

A symbol of red and white,

with fifty shining stars on a field of blue,

call it a flag,

in reality it is you."

Thank you Mac McGovern for your most eloquent words.  Happy and Safe 4th to all of you out their in Blogger land.  See you tomorrow!