All encompassing God,

gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love -

your mercy is over all that you have made.

Forgive our fickle and childish ways.

Give us ears to hear the flute

and grace to dance along;

Give us ears to hear when others wail

and grace to quiet our hearts and mourn along.

Help us shoulder the yoke Jesus offers -

easy or hard, heavy or light – always right.

And if there are camels that need watering......

Bikers (1), bagpipers,

two bands (2), just one horse, no clowns (3) -

       but we remember. (4)

 

(1) motorcycles to lead the parade, Ore-to-Shore mountain bikers along with a float.

(2) one was the high school band, the other the NMU pep band (with electric base) on a float.

(3) there were some Shriners in little go-karts. Might have been a clown or two with them but they were too far ahead of me to see.

(4) several bands, 6-8 horses all decked out - I don't know what else.  Boy/Girl Scouts?

 

 

 

City fireworks,

Nature's thunder and lightening -

          which show will we see? 

 

9pm, clouds and "chance of showers and thunderstorms"!

Neighbors and hot dogs

and friendly conversation (1) -

        good start for the Fourth!

(1) picnic in the driveway.

Dark clouds on the lake, (1)

sunset golden through the trees (2) -

          after dinner walk. 

(1) looking east.

(2) looking west. 

Poised and intense, the
chipmunk nibbles maple seed -
      Watchful, yes, watchful.

                        or

         Watchful, yes, always. 

Thunder and lightning,

early morning wakeup call -

        some rain but all's well.

 

 We've had some issues with rain gutter downspouts, but we're all good for now.