Happy Birthday Miles, and America...

Today is Miles' birthday. Our boy is 5 - or 35 in dog years - and, poor guy (you think you've got problems?!), he's still a virgin!

It was a gorgeous day here at the lake...slept in - the joy of a 3 day weekend - and took the birthday boy walking.

Bumped into some of the neighbors on the way back who invited me to join them later in the morning at the local 4th of July street parade in nearby Stonebank, a village just a couple of miles up the road.

Amidst a plethora of red, white, and blue clothing - including some pretty snazzy sparkly numbers on some of the women, the locals lined the main street in anticipation - the Dads with beers in hand, the kids with bags in hand - ready to catch the candy being thrown from the floats.

It was obvious that it was important to have your tailgate collapsible chair and cooler at the ready...

It was obviously NOT the time to have a fire at your house. All of the local units, and plenty of the neighboring stations' trucks, were in the parade. In hindsight it probably would have been the perfect time to be a local burglar - the neighborhood was deserted (and houses probably left wide open as they usually are) during the time of the parade.

Neighbor Hayley, in the middle. Miles' no.1 fan and local ringleader!

Water balloons at the ready. For throwing...but there are strict rules of engagement - only throw at someone on a float with a water pistol or water balloons..

No parade in Wisconsin is complete without a posse of Harleys...The day ended with some brats on the BBQ (another Wisconsin staple), and firepits and fireworks on the lake front at a neighbor's house. We had the good fortune to have prime viewing of more than 6-7 major fireworks displays going off at local parties and villages - all around the lake shore.

Miles was the star of the night - being the only dog I know of not to be worried about the noise or lights or fireworks going off in close range - in our case at the end of the neighbor's pier. Perhaps being smothered by hugs and kisses from the neighboring kids had a lot to do with calming his nerves. He's quickly turning into the neighborhood mascot. The kids are yelling "Miiiiiiiles" as soon as they spot him.

Happy Birthday Miles, and America...