Fourth of July

Today is my last day in Nebraska. Tomorrow I begin my journey back home to California. Yesterday we drove over to a local farm and bought some grass-fed beef and fresh cream and milk for our holiday meal. We grilled hamburgers, baked homemade buns, and made burnt sugar ice cream. There was a side dish of corn, black bean, and tomato salad.

While we were grilling, the doorbell rang. It was one of the next-door neighbors, a Vietnamese family, bringing over some spring rolls and other treats, a nice addition to our meal.

Nebraskans really celebrate the Fourth, rain or shine. All week long there has been a continuous barrage of booming, and last night, the 3rd, there were constant fireworks until midnight. Some of the colorful displays were as good as any commercial displays.

Today it rained. However, just awhile ago, the skies cleared, so the whole street is going crazy with fireworks. I'm guessing it will increase and last until midnight.

The Vietnamese neighbors are joining in, too. They brought out at least 100 feet of a wide red ribbon and laid it in a U pattern in the middle of the street. They lit one end and there was about 10 minutes of constant flashing and popping. Everyone watched in awe, and neighbors from both ends of the street kept coming to see what was happening. When the show was finished, they cleaned up the remains of the ribbon.

I'll post photos when I return home and process all that I took on this trip.

Now, it's back to the action outside.

Happy 4th.

(I should add that the 3-month-old baby isn't really thrilled with all this racket!)