BobKat and Brewster add memories to this July Fourth

We just finished watching the annual patriotic program in Washington, D.C., on public television. It was a great show.

One of the entertainers was Josh Groban, who is one of my very favorite performers. He didn't let me down; his performance was superb, as was the whole show.

They even had a little bit of bluegrass. Steve Martin played the banjo. Hey, he is really good. And, of course, at the end they had a spectacular fireworks display.

Our son, Rob, and two of his boys came up for the Fourth of July weekend. His son, Daniel, is 16 and such a good looking fella. He is tall, has a head of black wavy hair and was so much fun. He is turning into a very nice young man.

And then there is Alex (BobKat), who is 9 years old and keeps himself busy doing whatever 9-year-old boys do. Rob also brought their new 3-4-month-old black lab named Brewer after our Milwaukee Brewers. He is very loveable and likes attention and is a people pleaser.

On Sunday we went to the annual patriotic program put on by an area church. This is their 20th year, and we have been fortunate enough to attend several of their events. It was at a park in Wisconsin Rapids, and the day turned out to be lovely after a couple of very hot, humid days.

We took our lawn chairs and found a nice spot in the shade. It was so good and really got us into the Fourth of July spirit.

After the program, the public was invited to a lunch of brats, hot dogs, chips and pop. All of the veterans were treated to a free meal. For dessert, they had root beer floats; those really went over well and hit the spot.

On July Fourth we went to the parade in Pittsville, which is attended thousands of people in the surrounding area. Then, on to the park where the legion was serving a chicken dinner. It was grilled chicken and very tasty.

They also had a carnival and a band that was for the young folks, but we old seniors would rather have had some country and bluegrass. Guess we are too set in our ways.

We then headed for home. Rob and the boys started packing and getting ready to take off for their home in Madison. While Rob was getting the stuff ready to go, BobKat was in the car playing around. Brewer jumped in and, before BobKat could stop him, he proceeded to do his duty in the car. (This definitely was not a people pleaser).

Well, this did not sit well with Rob, and he told BobKat to get Brewer out and keep him out 'til they were all ready to go home and to keep him away from the car.

BobKat decided to take Brewer down to the 200-yard range to keep him out of mischief. Well, when it was time to go, Rob called him.

By the time BobKat and Brewer got back up to the house, both of them were hot and very tuckered out. I'm sure they both slept all the way home.

Now for a post script to a column that I wrote recently. You might remember that I gave a tip on using Vaseline on my earrings to get them to slip into the hole in my ear? Well ... the old grey mare gave you a bum tip.

After using the Vaseline, within a week I had lost three earrings! It seems they "slid" out as quick as they "slid" in.