I hope that everyone had (or is having) a safe and happy Fourth of July… I sit here, listening to the sounds of children laughing, smelling the smoke of barbecue grills, and think that there’s something good to be said for celebrating a national holiday in the summer. My apartment complex has definitely never been this full of laughter and conversation in the outdoors at any other time this summer! Though of course part of it is because the weather has been delightful this week. Not too hot, not too humid, and even that pervasive swampy smell in the air (remember, I live in central Alabama) has subsided a bit.
I’m happy because I get another day off tomorrow, effectively a mid-week weekend, and then back to work for one day only. Though I’ve got to admit that it’s probably not the best for productivity to do the holiday in this way. Everyone will be catching up for at least half of Friday–if they’re back from vacations, that is–and I doubt much serious work will be done.
It makes me remember holidays (or the lack thereof) on deployment–where you go into work like any other day, whine a little about how everyone else has a holiday, and then get back to work. For all I miss being in the middle of things, I don’t miss that!
So here’s a thank you to all the folks who are toiling away in the summer-hot desert, attempting to ensure the freedom and independence that we’re celebrating in the country today!
Posted by Kjirstin 
