Small-town 4th of July

I hope everyone had a wonderful July 4th holiday wherever you were!

Our 4th of July was small and simple and fun and wonderful. We never left town or so much as stepped into a vehicle.

Things I like about a Mid-west, small-town July 4th celebration:

• We have an old brick building up on Main Street where we have our get-together. You never know who will stop by to say hello. People you know are out and about and everywhere.
• Everyone who drives by waves. 
• People come down Main Street on 4 wheelers. 
• The grocery store, liquor store and American Legion fireworks stand are all open and within half a block. Everything you need within walking distance! 
• It's legal to set off fireworks here. 
• The pace is slow and the whole day can slip by with you just living it. 
• At night, there are enough big fireworks displays just outside of town in the country (or even in town!) that you don't have to go to any "official" one.  
• The weather is as surprising as an unexpected firework. Last year it was 100+ with no wind. We sweltered. This year it was cloudy-ish, breezy and a high in maybe the high-80s. It was perfect.

 Here are some parts of our day:

American flags all down Main Street.

A "pet" frog in the neighbor's yard. These little guys are everywhere!

Pretty June bug we saw on the way to water the garden.

"Are you taking my picture? Okay, Photo Lady." On the way to the garden.

Can't wait to eat this guy!

Okra and carrots are happy. Got everyone watered before the party.

The local Legion sells fireworks in town all day.

Off to the park with Uncle Dave.

First mulberry pie of the season. Took 4-1/2 cups. Time to go collecting again!

All day fireworks makes for a happy, happy boy.

We cleaned up after ourselves :)

I love this. Brady made a "sparkler experiment" by crisscrossing them on concrete and watching them light each other.