It's that time of year again, folks:  that time for patriotism to take hold of our land, that time for fun, frolic, and fireworks out the wazoo!!

It's almost time for the Fourth of July.  Independance Day.  Our nation's birthday.  To celebrate the freedoms we hold dear and all that goes along with being an American.

Our city of Nashville has a huge celebration that starts two days in advance (tonight is the beginning of a three day celebration called "Nashville Fourth of July BLAST!"); a lot of musical talent will be on hand, even some of the big guns, in all genres, and there will be food galore.  There'll be a parade on the morning of July 4, and everyone will be decked out with flags and wearing their best red-, white-, and blue clothes, to mark their patriotism.

We go every year, and we always have the best time.  I love all that Nashville has to offer; however, my favorite is the fireworks.  The fireworks are the main draw; over 100,000 people come to see one of the biggest displays in our nation; the fireworks are where it's at.

The only thing is the traffic is a nightmare before and afterwards. Sometimes we don't get home until 12:30 or 1 in the morning.  That's not good!! LOL

We go every year.  Ronee' and I usually perform; the rest of the family watches us, then we go hit the food booths, ride the carnival rides (well, I don't, but that's beside the point), play games or enter contests, and enjoy the day, realizing just how blessed we are to be living in a nation that's free.

So many other places don't have the freedoms that we here in America enjoy; yet so many people take it for granted most of the year, which is kinda sad if you think about it.

The other thing I don't like about the festivities is I always get terribly toasted by the sun. I look more like a boiled crawfish; it's a wonder some of the Cajun cooks don't nab me, throw me in the pot to be boiled with the rest of the crawfish!! LOL

This year's event promises to be even bigger and better:  American Idol superstar Carrie Underwood, Big and Rich, and Taylor Swift are just some of the big names who will be entertaining festival-goers this weekend, and you'll never know who will show up. 

The fireworks display is promising to be the best in the nation; they're even going to have a shell that's something like 24 inches.  (It's not the biggest:  the biggest is a 48" shell. Now THAT'S a huge firework; I'd love to hear the noise when that thing goes off! WOW! Talk about rattling the ground! LOL)

Anyway, we gotta get ready, head on over to the festival grounds by noon.  I'd better catch up on some sleep before we go or else I won't be worth a ninny; won't be sleeping much the next few days. The Fourth of July is always a crazy-busy time in our family!!

I'm lookin' forward to it.  I love the Fourth of July!!

Take care, this is your pal, Johnathon, signing off.  Will write again soon; God bless!

~Love, your friend, Johnathon. :D *I love that sound* (the sounds of fireworks going off!)  :)