On July 4th, two hundred and thirty years ago America claimed independence from Britain and became a spanking new country.

And so it is that every 4th of July our wonderful most excellent Neighbourhood Association hosts its Annual July 4th Parade and Picnic for its residents. For a couple days before and after the occassion they even line the streets with miniature flags and paint the fire hydrants blue, red and white.

And as this was our first year to actually attend the Parade and Picnic, we stood on the main road of our neighbourhood nine o’clock sharp waving flags at the motorized parade and best period dressed pedestrians; and in return for our sportsmanship, lots and lots of candy were thrown at us.

Then in the evening, like in most every other city and town in America, Austin hosted its annual 4th of July fireworks. We sat with hundreds of other spectators in the rain with our eyes glued to the skies hoping for a miracle that the rain would stop. But rain or shine, lightning and thunder, the fireworks went on in true Texas cowboy fashion. And the best part as always was at the end when hundreds and thousands of voices could be heard roaring in unison as the lighted sky came to a blasting end. But even before the fireworks even began, my camera battery died on me—I don’t have a single pic to share so you’ll have to use your imagination.