Since many of our peers will be taking time off to celebrate the birth of our great nation, thought I would open the bar a bit early this week...

of course, we have hot dogs and apple pie, because everyone knows these are core American! we also have BBQ, fried twinkies, plenty of cold beer (fruit free, naturally), soft drinks (or soda or pop or Coke or anything else you want to call it), baked beans of all styles (with and without bacon, but why you would skip bacon is beyond me), heck, we even have corn on the cob.

so come on in, fix up a plate, then head outside for an afternoon of playing horseshoes or just relaxing in a hammock under the shady trees.

I'll have a hot dog with cole slaw and onions, a Bud Light, and a heaping serving of baked beans (loaded with bacon, of course!)

This sounds like a great party...who wants to set off some fireworks? I haven't had a roman candle or bottle rocket fight in a long time.

I brought red potato salad, cole slaw and watermelon! Rest easy, Happy. The watermelon is in huge chunks that won't fit in a beer glass.

I'd love a Chicago dog and a beer, please. And thanks for opening early.

I am suffering through a summer cold, so I'll take a good Hot Toddy!

Well heck, the neighbors have been setting off fireworks (illegal, and air polluting versions!) for almost a week already, so I may as well start celebrating too!

Can you wrap that fried twinkie in bacon??

gosh, didn't even think of the watermelon, we are in a watermelon shortage due to wet conditions, so much that one of our watermelon festivals scheduled this weekend was cancelled as there is no product...

let me upend a couple of them and pour in some vodka, for those who like theirs infused...

(I don't eat it, with or without the alcohol)

well, I think the recent SCOTUS opinion says you most certainly can

I do love tipsy watermelon! Bought some delicious ones from GA at the store this weekend.
I'll take a little of everything and a Summer Shandy and enjoy some sunshine on the patio.

I completed my first bank security review as an independent consultant and turned in my 8 page report yesterday!

Slide me a Xingu to celebrate, please!!

nothing like free food and drink to get a Pup showing! How is life treating you?

And these cheesy hashbrowns and brats will do nicely! Help yourselves!!

Living the dream, Happy. Living the dream. Dogsitting the "grandpuppy", killed a snake that was crawling up the brick alongside the door last night, finished my first report, got the big boy visiting from Colorado for the summer, my daughter and her boyfriend stopped by and dropped off their pup for their trip to Florida, big boy and I took the plunge and were baptized at church on Sunday....

But no biking at all this year or last. Gotta get some body pains under control first, but that is in the works.

Life's good.

We've got huge crates of watermelons in front of every grocery store in town. They're imported from somewhere because local varieties won't be available till late summer.

For those not into vodka, I'm making a batch of wannabe chili's watermelon margaritas. Help yourself!

It's my Puppy!!! So good to "see" you!

Hey, Jen!! How's my girl?

Busy as ever!

Great use of the garden tools Pup.

Busy is good! Pale, you gotta use what is available.

Happy, that Xingu was pretty refreshing. Now I'd LOVE to have a nice, big, hefeweizen, properly fruited, please.

Yeah, that was awesome!!
Can you make me something festive. And Happy, let off some of those fireworks you got at the Illinois Target.

Belt handbag or boots?

sheesh, get a PM already...dang freakin kids...

He had a girl with Jen?

I brought what I find to be all American, root beer. OK, it's 'not your father's root beer' so it is 5.9% alcohol....but close enough!!!

I am going to need to drink - I guess my house will soon have another pet...a cat....well, a kitten most likely. Wish me luck.