Howdy, all! Time for my weekly trek to blogville. I'd expect many of you are making preparations for the premier summer holiday in these parts, that being the 4th of July. Sadly, many a citizen of this great land has let slip the true purpose of this event, a commemoration of those acts which provided us with the freedoms we now enjoy. For many, as close as they will get to celebrating that freedom is exercising their rights to keep their neighbors up til the wee hours by shooting off fire crackers, exercising their right to blow off their fingertips with said fire crackers, exercising their right to operate vehicles and watercraft when they are in a compromised state of conciousness, and exercising their right to cause irreparable damage to the delicate layer of tissue covering their beings. Well, of course, that is all done in the name of having a good time. And we are free to do that. We are free to do that because many who have gone before have been willing to pay dearly to ensure that we could, and still can. Let's not let those sacrifices go unrecognized or unappreciated over the holiday. Learn the chords to America the Beautiful, or God Bless America, and get a few folks to sing along. Some one will be listening, and I'll bet you will feel their appreciation for your efforts.

Now hear this! Now hear this! This is NOT the Rose"Bud" blog. This is the RG"Neighbor"C blog, and "Neighbor's" contributions have been as scarce as vegetarians at a pig roast of late. Therefore, and to wit, I do hereby and forthwith place burden upon members thereof to, with all due haste and diligence, submit and tender instruments of communication, both relevant and not, unto said blog in accordance with those precepts originally undertaken, and to maintain such activity in a manner consistent with the concept of good neighborliness.

Be happy and careful