We oldsters can do some wild and crazy things, too!

Not to let the 4th of July vacay at Gulf Shores, Alabama go by without doing something dangerous enough that we had to sign a big bunch of waivers before taking the little ride, we got on a bouncing yellow raft, called a banana boat. I didn't fall off, but came close. Like some others on the damn thing. We were pulled across waves by a bad ass jet ski, bouncing up and down, came up to a boat.

Aspects of July 4th just don't do it for me:

I love the get-togethers, the picnics and BBQ's, the parades, the speeches. I don't like celebrating war and fighting though, and I don't really like fireworks unless run by the town or city (and controlled, so that fires, death and injuries don't result from those fireworks). That's because I have too many animals which are, and know too many people who are, stressed or terrorized by fireworks. As an aside, here's a great idea to replace fireworks: lasers, drones, and fun music!

Not stressful! A sunset view from this Land, from about as far west on the mainland as one can go: Kalaloch, WA. I took this back in 2004, I think those trees are still there

The revelations of our invasion plans for Iran that the Trump secret documents detailed glaringly reveal the total loss of control we have over our government.

An image of hist first one 50 years ago ..