Good morning everyone!

To all my U.S. reader-friends, I hope you all have a great Fourth of July weekend with your friends and families. May the pool water be the perfect temperature, the burgers – both meat and veggie – be to your liking and the local fireworks display make up for what we all missed last year.

I also want to wish everyone the spirit of unity and belonging this holiday weekend. At least in the U.S., the last several years have faced several challenges that unfortunately polarized so many from their families, friends and their communities.

I pray any of you who have felt alienated or forgotten about this past year especially – from the pandemic, politics or or anything else – can feel like you belong and this is your Fourth of July the same way it’s mine or anyone else’s.

Have a great weekend everyone. Oh, and one last thing – please drink responsibility. And for the love of all things decent and holy, don’t set your fireworks off in residential neighborhoods. Those with PTSD, small children or terrified pets don’t want to hear that all night long.

Yours in writing and running,

Allison

P.S. the video below is the finale from Red, White and Boom 2017. The show was one of my favorites of all time. I hope you enjoy it.