Liberty

 I know I’ve run this before, but it bears repeating. 

He who hath ears to hear...

For all you readers in or affiliated with the United States, happy Independence Day! For the rest of you, happy Thursday!

It's time for the annual reminder to protect your pupper's hearing! There are a lot of dogs (and cats, I understand) that get upset at the noises that go along with the firework celebrations on the Fourth. 

I'm lucky. My last few pets have actually liked fireworks! I had one, D'Artagnan, who tried to fetch the ground flowers — not an activity I would recommend for either dogs or humans!

 

Sketchbook: Be canine ready

Most dogs are not fans of fireworks. All too often they spend Independence Day in misery and anxiety because of the loud noises of fireworks and other celebrations.

My thought is that next to every pop up tent that sells fireworks, there should also be a canine comfort tent where you can get stuff that will help your dog cope.

Of course my dog has to be different. She likes fireworks and tries to chase them down! She came close one time to fetching a ground flower!

Either way, take care of your pets. Keep them safe and they'll take care of you!

This has been a public service announcement from friends of puppers and this station. Thank you.
 

The last word

Wouldn’t it be poetic justice if tonight all the dogs that were spooked by Fourth of July fireworks got together and started barking and howling? In my neighborhood they’d be going until one in the morning!
 

Sketchbook: Where can I turn for peace?

There are a lot of pet owners who dread the Fourth of July because the fireworks scare their animals. Be mindful of animals as you celebrate, and protect your pets if you've got 'em.

That's not a problem we've had with our pets. We had one dog who tried to fetch the lit fireworks — ground flowers were his favorite (he also liked to fetch golf balls). Our current dog is just as content to sleep through them. I guess that's one way to cope!

Have a safe and happy Fourth, wherever you are!

Sketchbook: Celebrating freedoms

It's like this in our house just about every year!
 

You light up my life

Another rerun while we get things sorted out. Thanks to heightened fire danger "reality" is what a lot of us are going to see rather than the bombs bursting in air!

Happy Independence Day, and let's be careful out there!

 

Stand back, stand back

Having some technical difficulties with the site, so here's a favorite from last year. 

 

Strike up the band!

Parades have always played a big part in our Fourth of July celebrations.

In high school marching band, we spent the entire day marching in one parade or another, often participating in three or four.

While I lived in Provo, I either attended or participated in the parade each year.

It's a little sad that we won't be having one this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. We'll just have to do our best. I know we have a bunch of musical instruments someplace!

It's for your own protection

Let's stay safe out there!

Things that go boom

Take care of your ears, and take care of your pets.

Enjoy your Independence Day!

The best and the brightest

What more could one ask for in a holiday?

Let's be safe out there!

Best wishes of the season

Ah, those days of sitting on Uncle Sam's lap with my list overflowing with pyrotechnics...

These colors don’t run...outside the lines

What color is a fruited plain?

Independence Day breakfast leftovers

This would never happen in your ward, would it?

It's the Fourth everywhere!

The first time I spent the Fourth of July outside of the United States, I was in Canada at the Calgary Stampede. They were good hosts there, and recognized that many who were in attendance were from the USA. Big fireworks, big celebration!

The next time I spent the Fourth of July outside of the US, I was a missionary in Korea. It was just another day to them. My Canadian experiences had colored my expectations, I suppose. I was a little disappointed.

I'm happy now to be back in the USA. As our family has grown and traveled and included many more cultures, we've also taken to celebrating holidays from around the world. Any excuse for a present and a party, right?

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July — wherever you are!

Leftovers

I don't know how this works, but it seems like no matter the amount of fireworks we get and no matter how many we set off, we always seem to have some leftover.

By the dawn's early light

Somedays there's just no sleeping in!

Happy Independence Day!

Sketchbook: Skills where it counts

Scouts can really surprise you sometimes.

Sketchbook: The fires of Libery

Have a happy Independence Day!