From VBS to the 4th of July

"Ladies and Gentlemen, my mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you!"    ~George M. Cohan

VBS is over, and it was a great time for all the kids and volunteers at Rolling River Rampage. The grandkids had a good time with Papa and Grandma Lynda playing games inside and outside, swimming at a neighbor's pool, going out for lunch, and let us not forget the ice cream stops. Yum! They went back home to get ready for their next big thing, and we've had some time to rest up and catch a few naps. I often say there's a reason parents are young.

And before we knew it, it was the 4th of July. I have a dear friend who often said summer was half over when we got to July 4th. I preferred savoring the rest of July and much of August before heading back to the classroom and a new group of students. Sure, there were years I spent part of the summer taking classes or workshops, preparing for curriculum changes, and developing materials for my students and classroom. Even so, summer meant slowing down, recharging, vacationing, and enjoying a more relaxed schedule.

But getting back to the 4th of July... This year was pretty quiet for us. We did grill hot dogs, our typical All-American 4th of July fare, but opted for an inside picnic because of the heat and high humidity. Later in the evening, we settled down to watch Yankee Doodle Dandy. For me it's comparable to watching It's a Wonderful Life at Christmas time. I love the story. I love the music. I love the feeling of patriotism. And I love James Cagney's portrayal of George M. Cohan in the 1942 film. We have "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Over There," and "You're a Grand Old Flag" in our heads for days... sometimes even bursting into song. It reminds me of learning "You're a Grand Old Flag" in elementary school. Do children still learn those good old patriotic songs? And there are some modern songs, too. Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" stirs up much patriotic pride.

May your summer days linger with making many memories.