FUN IN THE SUN

    The last few months have been filled with stress, so it was really nice to take some time to enjoy ourselves. One thing I always enjoy is the sand castle carving contest at Ocean Shores, WA. Artists, amateurs and families all come to compete in various categories. This year everyone had to play beat the clock as they rushed to complete their projects before the tide came in. Nonetheless, a good time was had by all. I don't have the gift of being able to work with my hands and create something out of nothing but sand, and I couldn't help but marvel at what people were able to do.
    Over the Fourth of July, like most Americans, we celebrated, enjoying picnics, time with friends, and fireworks. People out on our little lake go crazy and it's like living in a war zone. We're in the process of downsizing and getting ready to move to a condo, and I must say, one of the few things I won't miss is the noise on the Fourth. Good heavens! Some of those babies people are letting off can't be legal. But I was still happy. We had family time, games, chicken and potato salad... and shrimp dip (thanks to my daughter), so life was good.
In fact, life in the U.S.A. is pretty darned good most of the time for most of us. And if you doubt that, you need to travel more, especially to third world countries. We may not always agree but we're free to express ourselves when we disagree. We may find ourselves unhappy with our job but we can go get a different job or start our own company. We may not be happy with what's going on in Washington, but we can vote and "throw the bums out." This is not a perfect country, but it's a good country, full of generous, hard-working people. And there's nowhere else in the world I'd rather be.