We had a grand, if schizophrenic, time at the Aurora Independence Day Parade and subsequent carnival. We had blazing sunshine and temps in the 90s interspersed with sheets of rain waterfalling from the sky - surely a day the plants will remember.

After watching my son march in the Aurora HS band, followed by an endless array of vehicles populated with individuals flinging candy at the crowd with a blend of philanthropy and sadism, we repaired to the carnival where the 3-year-old rode a pony, bounced in the inflated castle, ate a toxic volume of candy, irritated her overheated, pregnant mother, then fled for home just ahead of another downpour.

We have a party tonight, a picnic with our fellow Norwegians tomorrow, then fireworks tomorrow night at our beloved Sunny Lake Park, a true holiday weekend. Have fun and stay safe!