Potato salad done, ribs grilling, a senior dog snoozing. Family should be arriving shortly, and we've a nice breeze. Another good sign on this Independence Day? The bottle rockets have been quiet this year, and the other neighborhood noises my dog is ignoring so far. Winning!

Cleo does not care for loud noises, so when the official city fireworks begin later tonight you can expect my big old dog will be securely snuggled close.

Cleo and I wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July!