Cool air softens the July 1st heat. It is evening again. The long days are closing up shop a bit earlier each day. 2025 asks What am I going to do with the rest of my life? Birds sing in harmony to The Good Old Summertime. Over the hill, children are playing. Carefree and footloose for now. No alarm clock in the morning, no place to be unless you want to be. Pounds Hollow Creek closes at dusk. There is a little time left for underwater exploration. The Cubs are on a winning streak. They are first in their division. Could this be the year? Steaks on the grill Friday the 4th. We buy them at the meat market tomorrow. Steak is delicious, especially with MJ’s special rub.

It has been said that home is where the heart is. When you carry it home in your heart, then it is always with you. Days of mirth and laughter while holding a sparkler in your young hands. We wondered if we would become a butcher, a baker, or a candlestick maker. Would we marry or just become knights of the open road? The bullfrogs sing around the pond. They have something to say. They are in fine voice this evening. Their resonant bass produces a majestic chorus of recognition of summer.

The old man taps at his computer. Daily, he seeks the beauty of the moment. It really is the moments that make up life. Not the majestic plans but the ongoing flicker of film as the projector of life’s performance on the silver screen moves forward.

‘That actor looks a lot like you, Billy B,’ Chet said. ‘He is sitting with his friends in the Orpheum Theatre watching a movie, at the same time we are sitting in the Orpheum Theatre watching them on the screen,’ Chet marvelled. ‘Could it be that we are the actors in a movie of our lives,’ Chet wondered. ‘Are we performers or are we audience?’ Chet postulated.

‘There go the bottle rockets,’ Jane said with glee. ‘This year will be special with our obtaining some Roman Candles,’ Jane mused. ‘Look at the sweet old folks in their lawn chairs watching us, they enjoy July 4th as much as we do,’ Jane observed. ‘They look familiar and safe, friendly, and they are home,’ Jane said with a tear in her eyes.

‘MeTV is beginning to run Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom with Marlin Perkins,’ Billy B said. ‘I remember watching it the other night along with The Wonderful World of Disney and Lassie,’ Billy B reflected. ‘Was it just a few days ago or a few years?’ Billy B winked as he lit a Roman Candle.