I enjoy quiet unhurried Sunday mornings. I stepped out onto our back patio (not fancy and that grass in the crevice of the concrete needs removed) and several magpies flew away from our flower pots. Those darn birds!

They have been helping themselves to the flower petals of our flowers AND, even worse, eating the flowers blooming on our four zucchini plants that I grew from seeds in my red solo cups! There are several more blooms awaiting, so our zucchini crop will be fine. Just this morning, I received notification that the netting I ordered to place over the garden has been shipped.

The temperature this morning is a very comfortable 65 degrees, headed for 90 degrees this afternoon. It’s a beautiful morning for daydreaming and thoughts gratitude for this wonderful country in which we live.

Independence day is celebrated every year in our town on the 4th of July with a parade in the morning; food and other vendors, bounce-house-type toys and games for the kiddos, and helicopter rides at Riverfest all day long; and the largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi at night. The fireworks are choreographed to patriotic music and thoughts. Well over 100,000 people gather together on blankets and in chairs to celebrate together. I love the feeling of unity as everyone cheers and claps at the end of the fireworks show.

Until then, I will enjoy the quiet comfort on this beautiful summer Sunday morning in my little corner of the neighborhood, while keeping the magpies out of the flowers and garden.