Our Foiled Fourth

Ah the plans we had.
Bob had 5 days off in a row and we were going to finally get things done around here! His first day off was the Fourth of July - a family day. We planned to be up early to do the chores: feeding, watering, milking, and then drive to town to watch the parade. Our small town Independence Day Parade is the best! We set up our lawn chairs under the trees in front of the public library,

 wave little flags and watch the children pedal by on their decorated bicycles, followed by the politicians, the clowns (one and the same), the floats, the military, the Shriners, and finally ending with all the local firetrucks driving by, sirens blaring. Once the parade ends, the fishing contest begins. Hardly more than a puddle, the tiny pond is lined with youngsters who, for the next hour, attempt to catch the accumulative biggest fish.

One year I caught a duck. Really. At 11:00 the watermelon eating contest begins. This was to be my first year participating. For many years my daughter has held the title while I took pictures,

 but this year I resolved to enjoy the festivities. It was even noted on my manifesto. By the end of the watermelon stickiness, it was then definitely time to head home to town for a swim and some lunch: hot dogs, hamburgers, cole slaw, corn on the cob, and a red white and blue jello/berry/pound cake.

 Afterwards we planned to drive back to the farm to feed, water and milk once again, turn around and drive back to the beachfront for the fireworks show. A wonderful, full day of tradition in our family.

On Saturday my son returned home from a week at Ranger Camp,

 and with him came the crud. It hit the following day and kept him down for three, at which time it attacked me and then Bob, completely thwarting our holiday plans. We have often discussed the fact that terrosists wouldn't need weapons of mass destruction to take over our nation. Just a virus like this one, widespread, would incapacitate enough people that our enemies could walk right in. Oh, the aches - like getting run over by a mack truck! And the illness, which I won't go into. Needless to say we were down for the count.

But on a farm, you can't take a day off - no matter how sick you are. The animals must be fed. They must have water, and the milk goats must be milked. Period. So you do what you have to do.
Even if that means loading and unloading a truckload of hay.

Yesterday we started feeling better, and today, we are back from the dead! We're playing catch up, trying to accomplish the most important of the list of things we thought would be completed during Bob's time off. The turkey pen will be built today and hopefully the swimming pool will be filled once the pump is set up and the pipes lined up  - The final horse fence may have to wait. It is awfully hot outside! But oh, to feel whole again - it's glorious! There's nothing like a bout of illness to make us appreciate good heath. We're getting back on track now.
Tomorrow we hope to spend the day with the kids on the beach SNORKLING (on my summer manifesto list) and then cook hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill with cole slaw, corn on the cob and a red, white and blue pound cake/jello/ cool whip/ berry cake!
I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day. We are a blessed nation indeed!