Finally Some Rain

June, and the first few days of July; in Salt Lake were hot and windy.  The entire state seemed to be battling fires causing skies to be smokey most days with the smell of smoke permeating the air. Our patio deck seemed to have ash on it all month.  I suspect that with such a hot June, the rest of the summer may be hot as well.  Finally, after more than 30 days without rain, we recieved rain yesterday.  I would not call it a soaking but it rained (more like a dirzzel) for several hours cooling the temperatures from near 100 earlier in the week to the low 60's; providing some relief for a parched earth.

I am not certain why but we have had a lot more deer in our yard in the last month than normal.  Usually the deer are walking in or through our backyard.  On July 4th, there was a young deer, not a fawn but not an adult, eating the Lovely Sharon's flowers just off of our front porch.  I was watching him for a few minutes through the window and called Sharon to come look.  When she saw the deer through the window, she took off like a lightening bolt opened the front door and commanded the deer to not eat her flowers.  The deer, knowing who was boss, took off for safer environs.

We had a nice and safe 4th of July.  We played golf with friends Barry and Nanette, and afterward we went home and ate left over Chinese food and watched two movies in the coolness of the Bud Cave.  After the movies the LOvely Sharon and I watched  fireworks and music from New York on TV.

As most people do, I think about our country on the 4th of July. I think about freedom, I think about soldiers, sailors, and marines putting life and limb at risk, making ultimate sacrifies.  I appreciate them.  I admire them. I am thankful for them. 

I love America.  I love the way it looks.  I love that by and large people want to help their fellow man.  I love that we can complain about our leaders.  I love that we can petition the government for change. I love that we can argue over politics and policy.  I love that I can read whatever I want. I love that I can hang up on telemarketers .  I love America.

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!