A potluck, a walk, and a movie

Ebba, Karen, Carol, me, and Terry

Cindy, the leader of our Fairhaven walking group, hosts a Fourth of July potluck at her house, preceded with an hour-long walk before settling in to eat the wonderful food that everyone brings. Nineteen of us showed up today, gathering at 8:30am (later than our usual 8:00 meeting) and a trifle more dressed up than usual.

Cindy's deck with three tables

Although it wasn't terribly warm compared to the temperatures of the past few days, we headed out for a nice walk from Cindy's front door and covered more than three miles before coming back to enjoy a fantastic brunch, including three fruit salads, an incredible salmon strata (Cindy's specialty), and tons more food.

Waiting for the others to catch up

We stopped a few times, allowing the slower walkers to catch up when we came to a fork in the trail. But we did walk at an almost four-mile-an-hour pace before we made it back to Cindy's. Once we got back, however, we enjoyed food, conversation, and coffee that just kept on going for almost two hours.

Peggy, Terry, my plate, and Judith chowing down

It was a wonderful gathering, my first Independence Day with Cindy and the walkers, but not my last. Then Smart Guy and I hooked up so we could go and see a movie together. Since it was the last day to be shown at our independent theater, the Limelight, we went to see Love is All You Need, a Danish movie with Pierce Brosnan in it (some English, but with mostly Danish subtitles). It was billed as a "romantic comedy," but totally different from one you would see made in this country. I enjoyed it thoroughly, although I cried more than I laughed.

And now I am sitting here at five in the evening on the Fourth, listening to the first of many firecrackers that I will be enduring tonight. And tomorrow night, and probably until Sunday when it all finishes. It's been a wonderful Independence Day so far, and more to come...
:-)