Great dinner with the cousins

Yesterday T and I got together with the SLO cousins and Aunt L for dinner at their house. I was amazed that they wanted to have people over given they are hosting the 4th of July block party today. Every year for the last 20 years P and S have hosted the neighborhood celebration. They send out invitations and assign, at random, an appetizer, salad or dessert. Folks are supposed to RSVP so they know how many burgers and dogs and drinks to get but often people forget and just show up. There are often up to 200 people who come.

We also have a July 4th picnic/barbeque at the park in Cypress Ridge. The people who have golf carts decorate their carts, and there is a parade of the carts to the park. The carts are judged and prizes are awarded. The entertainment committee arranges games for the kids and adults. We find it interesting that the weather is rarely an issue and these events can be planned with little risk of being called off due to the weather. The fireworks displays are another story especially along the coast. Since there is the lurking marine layer to contend with, sometimes cities have had to postpone these. One town is trying laser "fireworks" which are said to be enhanced by the fog. Of course there are many up in arms about the laser v. real fireworks display.