Happy Independence Day, Yanks!

Before I get back to coop construction, I wanted to wish all my family and friends

south of the 49th Parallel a memorable 4th of July.  We did our version last Friday

in cold rain, but still had a good turnout.

One reason for that may have been from a change in tradition.  Contributions for

our holiday were down this year due to the new economic reality.  Organizers didn’t

have enough for the fireworks display, and couldn’t find the required barge to set

them off from the ocean, an way.  So they decided to offer more games for kids and

a meal for all revelers.

A wonderful feed of salad, salmon, pork, bread, corn on the cob, drinks and dessert

was cooked for 1500.  I don’t know how many actually showed up, but the chow line

was really long when we left.  I’m eager to hear community response about it.

Just before the holiday, I was talking to the organizer who suggested the change.

“Fireworks were part of our past,” he said, “but they’re not part of our future.”

Well said.  As resources dwindle, we’ll need to make tougher and tougher choices.

To give up eight minutes of “oooh and aaah” for a satisfying meal was an easy one.

That feed was likely the best or only meal of the day for many of our island’s res-

idents.