Always a sucker for free fireworks, I love the Fourth of July. There used to be other events that would have fireworks involved. But, sadly, most of those events have quit doing the fireworks because of the cost.

We used to see fireworks on the Lake a couple of times each year, but that was stopped when the park got sold. Now, about the only way to see fireworks other than downtown on the 4th is to go to a Friday night home game with our local baseball team. They put on a 15 minute show after the games – but only on Friday nights and on opening day.

I don’t speak much Spanish, but I know that today is Cinco de Mayo and it is all things Mexican around here. All the Mexican restaurants are having fiestas and specials – this is a big party day!

“Cinco de Mayo” translates to the Fifth of May and is not really Mexico’s Independence Day. It is a celebration of the defeat of the French in 1862, at the Battle of Puebla. The most important national holiday in Mexico, their Independence Day, is on September 16th.

Today all eyes are on the groundhog. Does he see his shadow? Does he come out of his burrow and stay out? Will Spring ever come?

Well, the official word is that the groundhog in Pennsylvania has seen his shadow and he is going back to sleep for another 6 weeks – at least. Bad news for the people who wanted an early Spring.

This is for my friends who celebrate Christmas. Although I am not a very religious person, I do celebrate Christmas, mostly for the spirit for which it is intended. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

Not a good month to be a turkey. I hear that turkeys are difficult to raise because they die easily. Don’t know that I would want to spend all my time raising critters that die from being scared in a thunderstorm or some other loud noise. If I had to raise critters I would stick with cows – a very versatile animal. And then maybe a few chickens. But not turkeys.