A Vegas Pre-Fourth And Happy Birthday, USA!

I am of the age that I need reminders, more than I used to need.

Someone told me that we of a certain age have so much crammed into our brains, 

that it is like having to access multiple files, 

stored up through all of our years of memories and learning.

Picture a giant filing cabinet, 

with tabs poking up, labeled in years, events, people, places, things, etc.

It takes me a little longer to pull something up these days.

I love the 4th of July, because it helps me remember and focus on how much I love my country.

I have many, many memories of times I have felt that chill down my spine of pride and love for the USA.

Traveling to another country will do it for me every time.

I LOVE to experience other cultures, 

but I never leave them without a fuller realization 

of how much I appreciate the one I live in.

Sousa's, The Stars And Stripes Forever, accesses my folder marked Patriotism immediately.

Roger and I, without any plans with family for July 4, 2014,

had a little pre-4th venture to Las Vegas.

We looked at cars in car lots in anticipation of our Maxima, with over 250,000 miles racked up on her, 

dying in the probably not-too-distant future. 

We ate dinner at Mon Ami Gabi,

Steamed mussels (and steamed clams) are my all-time favorites!

and stayed at a firecracker special nice hotel room.

Next day we shopped the sales at Primm for gifts,

and had lunch/dinner at Joe's Stone Crab,

picked up groceries at Trader Joe's,

(I see a Joe theme here!)

then drove home.

The 4th at our house was very quiet,

allowing time for reflection on our afore-mentioned Patriotism files.

Our fireworks this year were the spectacular ones viewed on TV 

of the celebrations Back East.

It was an all-together satisfying reminder and holiday.