I love the red, white and blue!

The Fourth of July has wonderful associated memories from many, many years of celebrating it! I celebrate the whole month with red, white, and blue trimmings!!

We have always had an annual fourth of July picnic at the family farm. We all came to celebrate--close relatives, shirt tail relatives, and friends who needed a family with whom to celebrate. The farm is the childhood home of my mother and her family. As an adult, her brother Ted, owned and operated it until his death two years ago, at age 96.

"Young" Ted, Uncle Ted, Barb, and Jim (his children)

Ina, a family friend chatting with Uncle Ted

Everyone should have a farm to visit. Being there, especially on the Fourth, was such a piece of Americana. It is something that money cannot buy.

There is the farm house, sitting on the grassy lawn. (The same lawn my parents were married on seventy seven years ago!) On the side is a warm inviting covered patio. The desserts are always on a round table on the patio.

Tables and chairs and benches are interspersed on the side lawn under the trees. The pot luck dishes are on two long tables under one of the trees. Out back is the pasture land, the corral, the barn and other out buildings. All are decorated for this wonderful celebration of family and country!

There is a splendid horsy swing which holds two children at a time. It remains busy most of the afternoon.

The old John Deere gets hitched up and its time for the kids to get a hay ride.

They are filled with glee and love every minute of the day. If they are especially fortunate, “young” Ted might let them pretend to drive the tractor!!

Today we no longer have our annual fourth of July picnic. With our dear Patriarch gone, it lost its luster when we had one last picnic after his passing. However, the farm is alive and well. The lands and barn are leased to two “country gentlemen” who raise cows. The house is leased to a couple who are loving living in a home with so much rich history.

My memories go back many years in my mind’s eye--I can picture my Dad, along with other uncles and cousins, leaning on the corral fence--all now with the Lord.

I stand in the bedroom which was my mother’s--I imagine her curled up with one of her beloved books, reading, her favorite pastime as a girl.

Then I can see my dear Mom, who LOVED this picnic more than anything else all year, sitting there with her precious brother Ted, and his wife, our Aunt Lou. Now they, also, have joined the hosts of heaven....and so life goes on and suddenly..... I am the oldest one in the family of cousins and siblings!!

What a heritage we have had!!

Wonderful parents!

Wonderful family!

Wonderful Lord!!

We have been blessed!

We are blessed!!

Happy Fourth of July!!!!!