Smoke on the Water , Fire in the Sky

It is late on the night of the 3rd of July. We just got back from a baseball and fireworks extravaganza! We went to the Iowa Cubs game tonight. Since they will be out of town tomorrow night, they had fireworks after the game tonight. The game was packed, including the standing-room-only areas in right field. It was a good game, a high-scoring victory against the rival Omaha Royals to keep the I-Cubs' winning streak alive. Asher had a great time. The people behind us even bought him a souvenir baseball with a Cub on it. We they gave it to him, Asher sat there holding it, staring at it transfixed, whispering "Cubbie Bear," "I need to go to the park", and "I need a bat". The lady next to us kept giving Asher and I licorice, too. It's an Iowa thing, I guess, giving gifts to strangers' children. Iowans definitely have a way of being very friendly, often in situations where you wouldn't really expect to strike up a conversation. The baseball was definitely very thoughtful, and Asher loves it! When the game ended, they turned off the lights and began the fireworks. The fireworks were loud, bright, and CLOSE! It was a great firework show, but Asher was terrified, screaming through the whole thing. When the I-Cubs fireworks ended, we went out to the levee behind the outfield wall, and watched the City of Des Moines fireworks, which were being shot off from a bridge, just a few blocks up the river. It was beautiful to see the fireworks lighting up the river and the bridges. Asher loved those fireworks, since they were a bit further away and not quite as loud. It was a good start to the 4th of July weekend. We had a calm week. The weather here is beautiful right now. It has mostly been sunny, but not too hot at all. I don't think it even hit the 80's here today, even though the sun was shining. Perfect! Our wild spring weather seems to be behind us. Last night, we went to our church to listen to Danny Daniels play. He is a Christian blues, country and rock performer, who goes back to the "Jesus movement" days of the early 70s. It is definitely good to have a three-day weekend ahead. We don't have plans, really, but there is a lot to choose from this weekend. Our town's parade and fireworks are tomorrow, and there are events happening in all the small towns and suburbs all around. Don't worry, we won't be setting off fireworks at our house this year. Iowa's fireworks laws make Utah's seem liberal. Oh well. Happy 4th of July!