Family picnic

Happy Independence Day, my fellow Americans. 
 
This is a photo we took last evening on the lawn of the capitol, here in Washington, D.C. 
Tonight is the PBS live concert from the capitol.  Last night was the live rehearsal.  We decided years ago, the rehearsal is just as good, minus the fireworks and about 75,000?? people all trying to get the heck out of Dodge when it is over.  Only about 6?? thousand show up for these rehearsals.  There is something very special about picnicking on the lawn with all these other patriotic families who stand for the national anthem, with their hands over their hearts, and at the end, sing to the tops of their voices while the National Symphony Orchestra, and a guest singer belts out God Bless America. 
 
Jimmy Smits is/was the MC and among the performers were Huey Lewis and the News and Jerry Lee Lewis.  Also featured and applauded were 9 of the athletes who will be representing team USA at the Olympic Games.  You just haven’t lived until you’ve heard live cannons booming during the 1812 Overture and heard their echoes off the massive stone capitol building behind you as you watch the last of the day’s light behind the Washington Monument fade into the west.  Awesome. 
 
Chriss Rainey
P.S.  Happy birthday, Suzy Wert