I want to wish everyone a fantastic July 4th!!!!!! I truly feel blessed to be an American and have the good fortune to live in the United States of America.

Yes, it is very obvious that we are facing many issues and challenges as a nation…with people having very different views and beliefs on immigration, gun control (the topic of my next blog post), abortion, and many other political topics.

Nevertheless, given the wisdom and foresight of what our “Founding Fathers” were able to construct in 1776, we remain the longest continuous democracy on the planet.

The critical requirement for ALL of us is to not take what we have for granted. It is legitimate and healthy to have different points of view. However, as I mentioned in my last blog post, it is important to take the time to understand different perspectives, and to “seek to understand before we are understood.” We should always remember that we may be Republicans or Democrats, but we are “ONE NATION under God.” Let’s remember why 13 colonies found a way to come together as one country.

I hope you are able to spend part of the holiday weekend with friends and family. Julie and I had the opportunity to spend the weekend up in Danbury, Wisconsin (about 60 miles south of Duluth) with more than 20 relatives at a small cabin on a chain of 26 lakes.

It involved a lot of bar-b-q’s!!

I am usually assigned to make multiple trips to the local store in town for food supplies. I never mind driving to town because it gives me the opportunity to sit in my favorite chair in front of the grocery store.

And here’s one of Suzie and Diane stealing my chair! 😉

Have a wonderful 4th!!