4th of July

The day began with the service at Church of the Restoration. I arrived at the church about 10:30; Gail arrived about 10:35. We were the first people there. We sat on a bench outside the church and talked waiting on someone with a key to show up. We became concerned as the time got to be 10:55 and no one else was there. I had my cell phone with me and decided to call a church member, Joy Avery, to see if the service had been canceled. I phoned Joy but she did not answer. We decided to wait until 11:00 am and then leave if no one else was there by that time.

At about two minutes before 11 am the church pianist drives up. She had with her two 10-year old boys from Dallas, her grandsons, who were visiting her. After another couple more minutes Rosemary arrived. A few more people trickled in during the next few minutes. Janet, now celebrating her 80th birthday, as she has been for the last two months, was there, and next to her was a Muslim woman. Two of my friends from HAT also were there. In all we had eight people there for the service. Gail and I played "Stars and Stripes Forever," an appropriate piece for the Fourth of July. The next all Humanist service will be on August 1.

In the afternoon, we went over to the home of the Dobbs (Nick's in laws), who live just outside the city limits of Sand Springs. Fireworks are prohibited within city limits (unless you have a permit), but outside the city it's OK to shoot fireworks. Someone brought three buckets of chicken from KFC, J brought three kinds of ice cream and brownies and cookies. Someone else brought cucumber salad and potato salad. We all ate a big meal. I managed to watch the evening news while there. The oil spill in the Gulf may have further long range consequences that are not anticipated at this time.

We went out to the large driveway awning to keep out of the light drizzle and watch the fireworks. Nick and his family were there plus Adra's sister and her husband.