It turned out that the fireworks were last night. We missed the chicken dinner , as a thunderstorm rolled through at the serving time, and it seemed silly to go. But the weather cleared up in time for the fireworks, and they were great (despite having to hear the worst rock group in the world in a free concert while waiting for the fireworks ). The fireflies were out, the toddlers in the crowd loved chasing them, the bats put on their show, coming out en masse from the tower at the fire station at dusk, and the sunset over the little lake in the middle of town was gorgeous.

  

Yesterday I also took Max to the vet for his annual checkup. He's perfectly healthy for a very elderly dog (he is nearly 12, which is getting pretty old for a lab). He's a bit arthritic, with his "standing" leg a bit shaky when he pees, and he can barely climb in and out of the Jeep, but other than that and a bit of weight loss (he's down to sixty pounds now), my grand old gray haired doggy is in perfect health.

Today I have to pack up Steven's things for wrestling camp. He will be leaving tomorrow, and be gone for most of next week. The week after will be Bill's turn. Then we have a week of being at home, then more than two weeks of vacation. 15 more work shifts, three work weeks -- and I cannot wait to go camping on the beach (much less visiting New York).