Mission mostly accomplished

OK, except for reading Manji, I fulfilled my July 4 plans. Though I did walk past her book on the shelf several times.... Regardless, the view of the fireworks was lovely. Especially so, in that the National Mall's show was just the centerpiece. In every direction from our roost at P and 8th NW, we could see shows both professional and pedestrian. It seems that when the country is mired in shit, displays like these illustrate that we have a awfully optimistic national psychology. It all just looked so hopeful.