On the fifth of July, the humidity

dropped below

middle earth, a cooling breeze

blew west off the

big lake, over the dune embrac-

ing the couple as

they sat on their porch waving

to those who strolled

by on their way up the dune

to get a view of the

lake. As they sat there, they

laughed recalling

the 98 degree Fahrenheit/ 85 %

humidity 2012

Fourth of July when they broke

camp in the evening

and headed back home in the dark.

They took a deep breath

and smiled. The Chocolate Lab

heard the left-over

fireworks finally free to boom

among the dunes

and over the lake after burning

a hole all day long in

the pockets of last night’s revelers.

The dog begged

to go inside just as the breeze stop-

ped and the

mosquitoes, smelling blood, arrived.

Once inside, the dog

fell sound asleep on his bed between

his parents who sat

watching old BBC comedies on PBS.

Soon, they would go to bed.