4th of July 1976 was Sunday

On the USA's 200th Birthday I celebrated my high school graduation, even if it was two months prior. And my hometown--pretty much all of it--helped me celebrate our nation's birthday at our town's park. This was on the park's tennis courts where a local band, Vertical Horizon, serenaded us with song.

Not just any song, but song you could dance to as you drank a little beer to. Yep, my Iowa hometown knew how to throw a 200th Birthday party! Sure, I hated the fact our graduation cap tassel was red, white and blue and had a minutemen replica dangling. I think I even told some teacher that night how much I hated that tassel!

But this night, two months later -all was forgiven. Even those Bicentennial Minutes we'd see daily on TV, I think on CBS, were now done--FINALLY. Hey, there was NO internet back then to divert attention. My diary tells me the guys I danced with, how much beer I downed as I danced, plus since I had that whole 'kiss list' thing going on-what guys' names were added--all on the park's tennis courts. I smile and think: Oh What A Night! And it was SO good, we did it all again the NEXT night! Happy Birthday USA!

On this day in 2009, I smile at those decade ago memories. What a great time! There are times I wish I could go back and relive them--but just be teeny bit smarter, then I realize I wouldn't really change much.

Now, I lean back in my comfy cozy, yet cluttered bungalow, along with a cat and a/c, to count my blessings for those that made this day possible for our Freedom.

Happy 4th of July!