If the fact that our home got flooded out and that we're currently staying at a Red Cross shelter with other displaced persons isn't bad enough, our town's Fourth of July celebrations have been cancelled, too, due to all the heavy weather we have had lately.

I was really looking forward to the annual celebration of our nation's birthday.  Our small town really pulled out all the stops: we had a mammoth parade that brought the entire town out, a free community picnic for Veterans and their families (and anybody else who wanted to join in the fun), contests and kiddie rides at the local park, a community-wide baseball game, live music, and in the evening, a special military tribute, a patriotic program, and fireworks to end out a busy, exciting day.

We were getting ready to do just that, but then the rains started ... and they didn't stop until only yesterday.  Round after round of severe storms have rocked our town and many homes  had flooding (including ours), not to mention, damage, and power outages.  Our home wasn't too badly damaged by the winds, but we had several feet of water in our home and there's no telling when our power will be restored.

Then we come to find out last night that our Fourth of July has been cancelled.  That means no parade, no free food, no contests or games, no rides for the kids, no live music, and of course, no fireworks.  The grounds are just too saturated; there's no telling how long it will take everything to dry out.  In other words, we are going to be stuck here at the shelter, bored to tears.  At least I will, anyway.

BLAST it all!!

We have been here at the shelter for the past two days and I was hoping we would get back home by today, but nothing doing: more storms are headed this way.  I can already see lightning flashing in the early morning sky as I look out the window.  And according to my weather radio, these storms are packing a mighty punch: they are moving southest at over 50 miles an hour, and they have intensely heavy rainfall, hail the size of baseballs (or larger), frequent lightning, and winds estimated anywhere from 70-100 milies an  hour.  

Great!  Just what I did NOT want to hear!!

That means no fireworks, no celebrating.  Only waiting out more storms.  Then the dumb weather people say that there could be more storms yet again tonight!  REALLY??  When is enough enough??  I am more than ready to tell God to stick it where the sun don't s hine; I am more than ready for some dry weather and sunshine!!  And of course, I am more than ready to see some FIREWORKS!!  :(

This Fourth of July is NOT gonna be a good one!  I can tell that already!  :(