Raise a glass

To those who have gone before, who fought for our freedom, for those who came back and those who didn't. For those left howling at the moon. For those who lost friends and family. For those who have stories and dreams and nightmares. For those who gave the last full measure.

I appreciate your sacrifices.

I am not big on celebrating the 4th - have seen the fireworks on the National Mall and survived the crush of humanity there, saw them through the fog in Maine, saw easily a dozen different cities' displays from atop my apartment building in Sunnyvale, saw the displays every year as a child in the small town I grew up in. Back in '61 or so one enterprising friend climbed the fireworks tower on the 5th and found an unexploded report. Of course we took it home, lit it and tossed it over the hedge at the back of the yard - it truly was an earth shattering explosion - it blew a crater a foot deep in our neighbor's yard. Oops. We scattered. He did it, not me!

But now I stay home, try to comfort my 16 year old dog who does not like explosions, and also try not to test fire any weapons. Hey, I'm not that kind of guy - I have a rudimentary understanding of gravity - what goes up will probably come down, somewhere.

But I have decided that I will have a shot of single malt. It's time. Summer is moving along, work is getting done and I am grateful for all that I have including the ability to work. I'll drink to that.

(Click to enlarge picture)

Tonight's fireworks will be provided by nature.

Here's mud in your eye.

Lightnin'

We are in the midst of a raucous thunder storm right this minute. The sun was out earlier and we got a preview of summer - burnin' hot out there, humid, air thick with anticipation. Some clouds blew in and the temperature dropped noticeably, then the rain started. Big ol' raindrops. Chased my dogs inside. Thunder could be heard off in the distance and it grew ever closer - finally you could see lightning streak across the sky and hear the thunder within a few seconds. The storm was marching right in on us.

But prior to the storm hitting, I was out in the backyard and I saw lightning bugs! Lightning bugs already! What the hey? It's still May! But by golly, I'll take 'em. They are a harbinger of summer and a happy one at that.

Musical options are numerous - Lightnin' Hopkins, Lightning - a work song, Howlin' Wolf and so on. Take your pick.

I didn't take this picture.

I am detecting a subtle trend here...

I hurried to mow my lawn this afternoon in advance of the forecast thunderstorm and when I came inside and dialed up Lem's I saw several posts and comments about how marvelous bluegrass music is. I concur, as do Finns. What next, Kanye gonna say "Ima let you Finnish"? In this crazy mixed up, muddled up world anything is possible, right?

Here is an artist's rendition of me mowing:

Fortunately a video was recorded as I pulled into today's jam session:

We hope to avoid being hit by lightning.