I didn’t really witness much patriotism at all on Independence Day this year, though I did attend a fireworks show. The place where my parents live is across the street from an Elks club and they have a show every year, so this year I went. It was nice. Nothing spectacular. I have seen fireworks shows in Boston at both Independence Day and New Year’s Day celebrations and those were pretty impressive. And the shows I’ve seen at our local minor league baseball park, Arvest Park, home of the Arkansas Naturals, have been pretty well done also. But sometimes it’s not about the show, it’s about who you enjoy it with, and it was nice just sitting back with my folks and watching the pretty sparks fly.

Medical department. I’m having a lot of aches and pains now that I’m off the anti-inflammatory I was taking, and my foot doesn’t seem to be as well-healed as I had thought. See what I did there, well-healed, get it, the heel of the foot, heal as in to make well, oh whatever. A lot depends on sleeping and eating and exercise, it’s just that simple. I’ve mentioned before how, if I get a solid 8-1/2 hours of sleep, I feel like Einstein! I found this to be true recently. I had to take a test for a big re-certification for work. It was 3 hours long and very intense, and time-constrained. But I got my 8.5 hours, ate a normal breakfast, and I felt great going in. It seemed easier than it had been on previous times I had taken it. Fortunately, I passed, but I have not been courageous enough to look at what my actual grade was. I just know it was good enough. I so easily forget how huge the impact is on my life when I sleep well. Last night I had a great night’s sleep, and I was able to eat well today. The exercise will come too, in time. I know it will.

Photo by Baluc Photography : https://www.pexels.com/photo/fireworks-display-in-dubai-6598291/