Concert in the park- Happy 4th!

 

 

 Our firework free fourth of July ended with a live concert at the local high school in Sedona. There was a laser light show set to music. It was this small towns second year doing this and it was pretty good. Id like to come back another time and see how it improves. I think its a wonderful idea for this dry desert environment that isn't too conducive to fire works.

 

 

 

 

 Pizza and cousins , and blankets in the grass! Nice cool evening!

 

 Rocking out on our country's Independence day!

There was a tragedy in our neck of the woods just last week. 19 elite fire fighters were killed in a fire that started in the engine of a field machine. It was a perfect storm of problems. First the area had not had fire in 40 years so the underbrush was thick, and then there had been no rain in months. The fire was spreading rapidly and then as strange as it may be our monsoon season pre- effects (winds and clouds) started nearly a month early. The firefighters were surrounded by the fire as the winds shifted and blew the fire in the wrong direction.

It's always sad when those who are willing to risk their lives to protect all of us and our comfortable way of life ,are actually called on to make the ultimate sacrifice. However when 19 of them are called home all at the same time the sorrow is deafening.

As I listen to the news report and they say things like "there are more homes in areas that have in the past been restricted because of high fire dangers" or  " last year there was a record about of brush fires set by amateur fireworks" I question if we think about how our desires for a home with a view, or private party fourth of July activities could effect others lives.

I have spent the last week heart broken for the families of these fire fighters. The small children and older parents left to fend for their selves and to greave in such a public arena. I know they chose their profession, I know they knew the risks. Their babies didn't. Could the risk have been minimized?

I looked around at my dry dessert home and just couldn't imagine setting off a fire work, I couldn't see the fire of the firework without being sad.

There are plenty of collections and people wanting to help this community that lost 19 of their heroes  and 250 homes. There is a massive outpouring of love and affection. Notes and flowers or appreciation stuck in fences of fire houses all over the valley. Volunteer groups coming together to clear other areas of thick underbrush and bringing water bottles and cookies to fire fighters who have been fighting the blaze day and night  for weeks now. It sure lifts the spirits from such a tragedy to see the love of neighbors and locals.
That's what it means to be an American. Glad to be a part of the spirit of this country!

The Fourth at West Fork Canyon - Sedona AZ

 The Red Rocks of Sedona are so pretty, and when its 10 degrees cooler there than it is in Phoenix it sounds like a great way to spend the fourth of July. Dan came home early and Heather and her family were in Sedona (from UT) for the week so it was a great time to get together and enjoy a part od our beautiful country!

 A little hike into a "slide rock" type area with a little creek pool was a good time, snacks and swimming and hiking!

 Cousins and , cooler weather, beautiful scenery !

 Leora decided I was her bud for the day. She came over and hugged me for a good ten minutes and then when I asked Dan to sit behind me so I could lean back, she got up and did it. She leaned me back and softly petted my head. It was so sweet!

 Such an angel......

 Then she attacked!

 All in all it was a good time!