Our first 4th here

We moved to this town in late June.  I had just finished my doctoral studies and UWSP and the chair of education kindly landed me a summer position.  I had never lived in a town this size and it takes the 4th of July seriously.  There are dances, barbecues and fireworks.  It was a welcome event that made us feel both patriotic and involved in upbeat activities. Summer school is a big-deal for the School of Education since teachers can get raises if they earn a masters degree and summer offers a good chance to make progress toward one. Now that I think of it, I realize I flew here while my wife drove our unreliable car the thousand miles with our possessions and daughters here just days before the 4th.  No wonder it seems an up time!