We have a lot of problems in this country and so much division right now that it is saddening. But I’ve been to a lot of places and seen a lot of things in close to seven decades on this earth, and there is no doubt in my mind that we still live in the greatest country in the world. And it’s our job, each and every one of us, yours and mine, to work together to keep it that way and to make it even better.
Terry and I are not social butterflies by any means, but we do enjoy being around good people that we like. In celebration of Independence Day, today we are having a small gathering of neighbors at our place. We will have hot dogs and burgers, and Terry is making red beans and rice and smoking a turkey, along with side dishes that folks are bringing, so I’m sure nobody will go hungry.
Since tropical storm Elsa is making its way through the islands and will be impacting us in some form in the next few days, though nobody really knows how much or when, and because we are in our normal hot and humid summer rainy season, we will set up some tables and eat in the garage. I spent some time tidying up in there yesterday. While I was doing that, Terry was busy in the kitchen working her magic. I have found it’s best to just stay out of her way and let her do her thing because all I do is get underfoot.
Just over two weeks ago, in a blog post titled They’re Back, I said that in the two weeks since my son and his wife dug up the banana trees next to our driveway, they had already started growing back and were knee-high. Not wanting them to get established, I dug them out, being careful to get the root balls again this time, and threw them in the trash, thinking I was done with them once and for all. So I was really ticked off Friday to see that four or five of them were back again and over a foot high.
Once I was done in the garage, I attacked them once again, digging out even more root balls, and then dug up the whole area, looking for more. I didn’t find any, but I swear, if they come back again, I’m going to resort to Vietnam War-era technology and see if I can get my hands on some Agent Orange. That may be the only thing that will do the job.
And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us.
Today is your last chance to enter our Free Drawing for an RV camping journal donated by Barbara House. Barbara makes several variations of these, and they all have pages where you can list the date, weather, where you traveled to and from that day, beginning and ending mileage, campground information including amenities at R.V. sites, a place for campground reviews, room to record activities, people met along the way, reminders of places to see and things to do the next time you’re in the area, and a page for notes for each day. To enter, click on this Free Drawing link or the tab at the top of this page and enter your name (first and last) in the comments section at the bottom of that page (not this one). Only one entry per person per drawing please, and you must enter with your real name. To prevent spam or multiple entries, the names of cartoon or movie characters are not allowed. The winner will be drawn this evening. Note: Due to the high shipping cost of printed books and Amazon restrictions on e-books to foreign countries, only entries with U.S. addresses and e-mail addresses are allowed.
Thought For The Day – God is in control and provides for you, but he doesn’t expect you to lean on a shovel and pray for a hole.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Happy Independence Day to you and Terry, too! Have a wonderful day and loads of fun at your party. It’s a special day for me, too……… my son was born on July 4, 66 years ago… with red hair and blue eyes. So proud of him!
“because not everything on the internet is true” ~ right next to a flat earth :o)
Happy Independence Day! Have a fun time with your neighbors.
Your search & destroy operation has failed- Please Nick – No Agent Orange ……..maybe an Arc Light raid?
Glad you were able to Safely have an Enjoyable get together for Independence Day.
It’s about time.
Another possible way to handle your banana tree issue. I have problems with wild vines amongst our shrubs, our tree expert said to cut them about one inch above ground, blot the cut sap with a tissue and then apply full strength Roundup on the cut area only and that kills the plant roots and all. It works. I use and artist paint brush or a Qtip and blot it on. Much easier and quicker than digging. See if one of your neighbors has roundup, shame to buy a bottle when one ounce is more than you will ever use. You can ask the place where you bought the plat if they agree. I’d send you an ounce but we’d become pen pals in prison when they find the dangerous chemicals in the US mail.
Keep up the great work writing books, I read them all on our Kindle unlimited.
Hope you weather out Elsa, hot and very humid in Pennsylvania now.
Take care of yourself and your wife.
phil