A Midwest Fourth of July goodie, strawberry pie. Yum!

Happy Independence Day!

It’s been many years since I’ve been able to enjoy my small town’s July 4th celebrations with my parents.  Plans for this evening will begin with hamburgers and baked beans, TV viewing of Washington, D.C.’s special concert before the fireworks begin and then live fireworks in my hometown beginning at 9:15 p.m.

It’s the custom to have our town’s fireworks at the fairgrounds, with the Marshall City Band playing at the race track before the grand show begins for those in the grandstand.

But for many of us residents, we prefer what I call the  “drive-in theater” showing of the festivities.  We drive our cars to the high school parking lot, near the fairgrounds, where we park.  Some bring lawn chairs to set outside their vehicles but with my dad and his oxygen tank, we will just remain inside to see what our town has to offer this year.

We should have a great view of the night sky filled with the Fourth’s dazzling display, so be looking for postings of that tomorrow.

Naturally, Lao-lao (our Chi earthquake rescue) will come along as part of the family.  He’s so deaf now that the “Boom!”s and “Pop!”s don’t bother him at all.  My mom reports he usually just sleeps in his little blanket through the whole thing.

We’ll see if that proves the same this evening.

In the meantime, let me post below my visits to:  Elmwood, Canton, Morton, Lewistown and Carlinville. No mishaps with the car this time around but quite a few wrong turns for me to get to the different churches.  I made it but on a couple of occasions, not on time.

Now I know why new cars are often fully equipped with a built-in GPS.  Sure beats struggling with paper maps, stopping in gas stations  for directions or grabbing a local from a nearby sidewalk to ask  where the heck I’m going.

Hope your celebrations are great ones!  Wishing you Ping An (Peace) from Marshall, IL. Enjoy the below.  I certainly did!

Elmwood UMW’s salad luncheon, before the program

Elmwood UMW

Pekin Grace UMC 8:15 a.m. service. Me with Pastor Gary Ford with my good friend Sally Morris (former UM missionary to Africa) and her mom

These young folk at Pekin UMC had quite a few Chinese phrases to share with me.

A dash to the next city over had me in Morton for their 10:45 contemporary service. For once, I was able to enjoy the pastor’s message. (Afterwards, we had a luncheon program led by me.)

6 years ago, Don and Rena hosted me for an overnight and also came to China where we met up in between their touring schedule. Happy reunion for us

Canton UMC was next for a potluck supper.

An overnight and late-night talk with my good friend, Virginia (90) in Lewistown.

Lewistown UMC evening potluck

A glittery gift, “China,” from Pastor Derek and Mavis’ grand-daughter.

Carlinville UMW

Jayne Hanlin (a Christian Science Monitor Home Forum essayist, such as myself) made a special trip to see my presentation in Carlinville. We had a lot of catching up to do afterwards!

A few miles from Marshall, an evening with Emmanuel and Zion UMW (Strawberry pie was our feature dessert, as seen for my blog greeting.)