Thought for the Day

"Welcome every morning
with a smile.
Look on the new day as another
special gift from your Creator,
another golden opportunity
to complete what you were
unable to finish yesterday.
Be a self starter.
Let your first hour set the theme
of success and positive
action that is certain to echo
through your entire day.
Today will never happen again.
Don't waste it with a false start
or no start at all.
You were not born to fail."
~Og Mandino

Enjoying Paradise While We Can

It was another hot Sunday, filled with too many yellow jackets and bald faced hornets to go find huckleberries, so mid-afternoon we decided to go for a drive. Earlier in the day, I had mentioned a drive around the small area lakes and along the Coeur d'Alene River and Lake, because we've only done that drive once and we didn't take the time to enjoy it. By the time we got out of here it was almost 4:00 and I told Thane that we didn't have enough time to do the whole drive. He assured me that four and a half hours of daylight would be plenty. We started our lake tour at Rose Lake, well actually we started our lake tour at Radiant Lake in Rathdrum, the new man made lake, equipped with fountains at each end. Somehow, it's just not as impressive to me as a real lake. Back to the drive-it was a beautiful afternoon and the lakes glimmered as the sunshine danced across the water. We drove back a few miles to the lakes that weren't right along the road and enjoyed the peace and quiet in those less populated areas.

We saw so many neat old farms and expansive meadows of gold, and wonder how long they will survive before paradise is paved and housing developments ruin the beautiful area. Next to the one old farm, a new road is punched in and we are sure there will be new homes popped up all over the beautiful rolling meadow next time we take this drive.

Thane found an old mercantile that is for sale and thought it would be a neat investment if we could afford it, but we can't. It is a neat old place and I'm sure it has quite the history since it was built in 1912. Not far from the old mercantile, we saw an osprey on a pole with a fish that was bigger than he was! He looked very full, but was not leaving his prize catch, so he just sat down on top of it to guard it from the gulls below who seemed very interested in his dinner.

We arrived in Harrison at 7:30, and I told Thane I didn't think we were going to get to enjoy the second half of our drive like we did the first, because darkness was quickly approaching. Being ever the optimist, or not wanting to be wrong, he was sure we would get around the lake before dark. We stopped at Bell's Bay, but that was the last stop we made because the sun had set by the time we left and we had quite a drive to go yet, on a very narrow, windy road.

We lost track of how many deer we saw, but enjoyed watching each one. We got to see a hen turkey with seven babies scurry across a field, and later when we came back from Bells Bay, they were walking the old fence while several deer stood in front of them in the old coral. I loved seeing the old farms and buildings and enjoying the beauty all around us. I hope and pray it stays that way, but deep in my heart I know it's only a matter of time until this special section of Idaho is ruined, too, filled up with cookie cutter houses that unlike the homes that proceeded them, have no character or charm. It was a good drive, and I look forward to finishing the second half sometime soon!

Troubles

I haven't been in much of a mood to write anything this week. On top of grieving a friend's death, my husband has kidney stones. One is very large, 9 mm, and is sitting in a not so great location where if it moves just a little, he is in for a fairly major procedure. Of course, there is the chance of kidney damage because the stone is so large. He has two other smaller stones as well. We are waiting for the machine that blows kidney stones up to come back to this area. It seems there is only one machine for the whole Northwest! They told him it's a $6 million dollar machine. I'm thinking at $10,000-$12,000 every time someone gets their kidney stones zapped, they should be able to afford another machine for this side of the Cascades. The machine was here for a very brief stay on Wednesday and they thought they could get him in, but the operating room was too full, so they got his hopes up only to tell him he has to wait until next Friday. He went in to see his doctor last Friday and the machine was here, but they didn't try to get him in to get them zapped, so my poor hubby has been living with these kidney stones for some time now. Needless to say, as his wife, I'm a bit concerned for him. We've been through the kidney stone saga before, but this one is just larger than the previous ones. I also have an aunt who went in for knee surgery and due to complications, is now in ICU. My mind has been pretty consumed with worry, grief, anxiety, and fear this week. I know this isn't what God wants me to be thinking on. If I trust in Him, I should be TRUSTING in Him to do what is right. It may not be to my understanding right now but it will be someday. I'm holding on to hope right now, and trying to turn my worries into prayers. It's not always easy, but I sure feel much more at peace when I'm praying, than when I'm stressing out!

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. ~Psalm 34:17-19


We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

~2 Corinthians 4:8-10


Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble. We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives. We suffer in the hope that you will be comforted and saved. ~2 Corinthians 1:3-6

How Do We Live?

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves - who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous. But honestly, who are you to not be so? You are a child of God, small games do not work in this world. For those around us to feel peace, it is not example to make ourselves small. We were born to express the glory of God that lives in us. It is not in some of us, it is in all of us. While we allow our light to shine, we unconsciously give permission for others to do the same. When we liberate ourselves from our own fears, simply our presence may liberate others.

-- Author:Marianne Williamson in Return to Love: Reflections...

Summer Fun

Adults may teach a child to work hard and fast, but it takes a child to teach an adult how to breathe. --Katalina

Summer is quickly disappearing! We've had lots of fun with our nieces this summer, considering the distance between us. We are putting a paver patio in our backyard and we had just gotten the sand to put down right before their last visit, and they thought we got them a new sandbox and thanked us over and over, as they were so excited to play in the sand. Did I mention the sand was still in the back of the truck?

Our dog is always very happy to have them visit, as well. She has so much fun playing with them, and sleeps for a couple days after they leave.

Three Happy Girls

The delight of a child is contagious.

Race Ya!!

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood."

North Idaho Redneck Sandbox

Take time everyday to do something silly. -- Philipa Walker

Blowing Bubbles

Teach us to delight in the simple things. -- Rudyard Kipling

There is nothing like a child's.......twinkle in his eyes, smile on his face, caress from his hand, hug around your neck, kiss on your cheek.

Sunset Stages

One thing about smoke in the air from all the fires is that it creates beautiful sunsets! These are the stages of the sunset we enjoyed tonight.

The sunrise is God's greeting - the sunset, his signature.

Peace...is seeing a sunset, and knowing who to thank.

For Andy

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times

And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now~by Mercy Me

Good bye our dear friend, Andy. We already miss you more than you can imagine. You would have been blown away at all the people who came to say good bye to you today. The church was packed, standing room only! I would guess there were 500-600 people there. You are loved, and you touched so many loves. Everyone talked about how you were so giving, so caring, and always went out of your way to be there for your friends. Many tears were shed, many!

I told Thane tonight that when I grow up, I want to be like Andy. I want to be someone who cares for everyone they meet, who doesn't judge people, who always has a smile, and takes pride in working hard not to win any praise, but just because it's the right thing to do. I want to be a friend to everyone I meet, like Andy. I want to take the adversity in my life and not let it bring me down, but to have it make me stronger. Andy, you are an inspiration to all who have crossed your path and you will be missed so much. We ache with grief, but we know you are with Jesus and we will be together again.

Amazing grace How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I'm found Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, My Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy reigns

Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, My Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow The sun forbear to shine But God, Who called me here below Will be forever mine Will be forever mine You are forever mine

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace


“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18

Not What I Thought

I thought I would be sharing happy memories about having my nieces, mom, and sister here for two days. I thought I would be talking about how my 4 year old niece spent the night here for the first time by herself and the great time we had. I thought I would be talking about how she slept through one of the worst storms we've had in a long time, that lasted from 11 pm to 4 am, with wicked lightening, winds, thunder, hail, and torential rains. Yes, she slept through it, but I didn't, and neither did our dog. My hubby slept through parts of it, but he's also battling kidney stones, again, so he was up and down throughout the night, plus he's on his pain pills so he was kind of not completely here to begin with. I thought those would be the subjects on my mind today, and they were until part way through the day when I was sitting at my parents home and the phone rang. Mom answered the phone and a very strange look came over her face, as she was looking right at me. I knew someone had died by the expression. After nearly forty years, I know my mom's face well. She kept talking, listening, and looking at me, and then told the person at the other end that I was actually up for the day and sitting there, because I had brought my niece home, and she would pass the news along to me. I had names flashing through my head as to who it might be. I never thought it would be the name of our friend who was in his mid-20's. First shock, then extreme sadness and unstoppable tears hit me. What? Why? How? Wait...I'm asleep and I will wake up soon, right??? .............. right????...........I'm still waiting to wake up.

Last night when we got home from playing at the park, I was going to check our home phone voice mail, but kept getting sidetracked by a sweet, energetic 4 year old, which was much more important to me anyway. I thought that no one ever calls our home number but sales people anyway, and if someone needed something they would call our cell numbers. I found out today that there were two messages on there about the death of our dear friend. He died at KMC, and his family wanted us to know. We could have gone and sat with them at least, but evidently God wanted us to have a good evening with our niece, because I know that there were three times I actually had my hand on the phone to check the messages and every time, a distraction of some kind kept popping up. I even thought of it during the night as I couldn't sleep but couldn't reach the phone without waking up Lizzie. I am glad that our evening with her was not spoiled. I do feel a bit guilty for not being there, though. I am still sitting here in disbelief, hoping to wake up from this nightmare.

Andy was one of those people who left footprints on your heart. He was kind, caring, helpful, honest, a hard worker, respectful, a person of his word, someone who made a difference in his corner of the world, who stood up against the odds and kept trying instead of giving up through the challenges that were put before him. We were just talking about him a week ago, and saying we needed to get in touch with him because we hadn't seen him much since we moved, and we needed to catch up. Tonight, we wish we would have made the call. Once again, when God puts someone on your mind, don't ignore it, call them, go see them, contact them someway because now our chance to do that is gone. Life is very unpredictable, and very short.

God knows why he took Andy so early on in his life. The rest of us are left to process it and continue to wonder why. Someday it will be revealed, but in the meantime, we grieve and miss a dear friend.

On my hour ride home today, I did a lot of remembering and crying. This song came on when I was close to home:

When I Get Where I'm Going by Geoff Moore

When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly
I'm gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

Yeah, when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah, when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here

I'm gonna walk with my granddaddy
And he'll match me step for step
And I'll tell him how I've missed him
Every minute since he left

So much pain and so much darkness
This world we stumble through
All these questions I can't answer
So much work to do

But when I get where I'm going
And I see my maker's face
I'll stand forever in the light
Of His amazing grace

Brandon

Today~ Well I have great news! Brandons right leg grew! The bone has doubled in length! This growth is what he needed. Now this will allow him to receive a leg like his left.The bone growth has confounded the doctors, but not me. I know the faith of the prayer warriors that surround Brandon! God Is Good! With a heart of gratitude Thank You for your prayers. Please don't stop.
In Christ Doug


From Monday-Brandon will be casted for his right leg in the next day! I was able to watch him walk today for the first time. He does well with it. We look forward to the next week to see him walk on two legs. Pray for his strength and endurance.

In Christ Doug

Laughing at Myself

Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can. ~Elsa Maxwell


Yesterday morning, I got up, watered the garden and flowers, and then I went to work for a little while. After I sent out the mass mailer from work, I decided to run to Coeur d'Alene to get a few things at Michael's and Pilgrim's. My nice carpi's all need washed so I threw on a pair from last year. I thought they looked really faded, but oh well, they were okay, I just need to replace them soon because they are pretty worn out. When I arrived at Pilgrim's, they had big, beautiful beefsteak tomatoes that are grown in Sandpoint. They were very ripe and looked delicious! I was picking out tomatoes and chatting with a gal, and I bumped an onion off the counter with my arm, so stooped down to pick it up and I heard a rip sound, but it wasn't a big rip sound, so I thought it was just a seam kind of pulling. I figured my pants could not have ripped much, because they are pretty baggy. I hurried along and got an onion or two, then headed down an aisle, trying to be inconspicuous but kind of trying to check my carpi's. I didn't feel a rip, so kept shopping. The store is packed with people. I shop at Pilgrim's a lot and this is the most I've ever seen in the store! I thought, wow, they are really getting popular. I went up another aisle, and down another, packing things into my cart, and then stopped in a corner to see if things were okay with my carpi's because things just felt weird back there. I felt a small hole, so went to the bathroom. OH MY GOSH! It ripped from where the all the inseams come together, all the way up to my waist. I had on blue carpi's and red underwear!! I had a shirt on that came just below the waist. I was mortified, to say the least. What was I going to do??? Stay in the bathroom, call Thane and have him bring me something else to wear, and refuse to allow anyone else in the bathroom for the next hour until he could get there? What if I just stayed in there until they closed?? Yes, that could work, but they probably had a key and would open the door and make me come out. What should I do? I have a basket full of groceries, the store is overflowing with people, and I have a serious problem!! I just wanted to crawl in a hole, or run out the door with my tail between my legs. Gee, if I would have had a tail, it would have covered part of the rip anyway! I decide to just make quick strides to the check out and leave. I became creative at walking sideways, walking against my cart, and trying to walk backwards without anyone really noticing that I was acting strange. The check stands never seemed so far away! ....SO MANY PEOPLE!! Of course, the only check stand open is the front one!! I kept trying to pull my shirt down as much as I could, wishing the gal checking out my groceries would really, really hurry! Then came the challenge of getting out the door and walking WAY across the parking lot to my car. Of course, I had parked out by the street, so when I had to climb in my Suburban, I was facing the giant plate glass windows! Lovely. I was so glad, yet so utterly embarrassed, to get in my car and drive home! When I got home I discovered the rip was even worse than I thought. The material was so thin, I think just moving in them made them rip! My family all found incredible humor in my pain. I find that I have to find a new place to shop now, because unless I dye my hair black and give myself a new hair do, I know I can't go back there for awhile!

You grow up on the day you have your first real laugh, at yourself. Ethel Barrymore

The Gardener

The Gardener is near. He will use our times, trials, temptations, and tears to cause us to bloom. ~Patsy Clairmont

I'm so thankful that the Gardener in my life isn't as impatient as I am as a gardener. I've felt like giving up in my garden this week with the extreme heat, because everything is just wilting away. I'm thankful that at times when I am 'wilting' spiritually, God is still there, giving me living water to drink. It's been a week. I've had a lot of trials, temptations and tears. I think part of it is just the overwhelming heat, which I'm finding makes me quite grumpy and keeps me from sleeping much. So this morning, as I'm facing another day and a new week, I am thankful the Gardener in my life is using all the stuff that seems like useless weeds in my life, to cause me to bloom and that it will eventually turn out to be something beautiful.

You let me rest in fields of green grass.
You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.
Psalm 23: 2-3 Contemporary English Version

Before the Wind Storm

I took these pictures of my flowers yesterday morning. Many of them are not looking very nice today, after 104 degree temps yesterday, and 40-50 mph winds last night.

Life is for Living

Life is a gift we're given each and every day.
Dream about tomorrow, but live for today.
To live a little, you've got to love a whole lot.
Love turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Life's a journey always worth taking.
Take time to smell the roses... and tulips... and daffodils... and lilacs... and sunflowers...
Count blessings like children count stars.
The secret of a happy life isn't buried in a treasure chest...
it lies within your heart.
It's the little moments that make life big.
Don't wait. Make memories today. Celebrate your life!

Brandon Update

Last week, Brandon had castings made for his new legs. Today, Brandon said," It works!" I said you bet it works, in so many words. He also said that this is the best day he has had! He was so excited that he took the walker and walked all over the workout area. They told him to be careful and slow down, He laughed. Now that they see his level of commitment they will cast his right in the next couple of days. There has been concern as to how they are going to do his right side since it is so short. Now that they have seen his reaction to his left side they are going to try to do the same on his right.
He will walk soon! God is awesome! What a gift of inspiration to the others involved! I hope to see him walk while I am there this time. I cried when I read his words," It works". I could sense his relief and sense of Hope. We can only try to understand what these men and women go thru as they live life after war. What I have encountered is that the war never ends for them. The friends that they only see in memories. The constant question of why? Why me? Why them? Just why?
To watch my son whom I am in love with learn to walk is such a blessing. He encourages me in his determination to keep up the good fight not to loss heart. I hope that I too can have a son that sees me as I see him. The answer to the Why is in the victory at Calvary. Luke 12:49-53
I love my family and I love you all too! So embrace the Truth and live life with the answer to the question, "Why". It is that truth that allows us to see victories and Blessings like Brandons.

In Christ Doug

Time

Life is about loving others and loving God. It's not about how much money we have in our bank account, how wonderful our job is, or what type of hobbies we do in our life. Life is about love. Loving others and spending time with them should be our top priority, but many times we have to squeeze time with others into our busy schedule and sometimes relationships with others take a back seat to everything else, when making time to be with others should be the first thing we put on our busy schedules. In the last moments of life, people aren't asking for their awards, their trophies, their earthly possessions, but they want their loved ones around them. Relationships are what matter, not possessions. If we can figure that out before we get to the end of our life, we find true treasure. I know I have regrets of not spending enough time with my Gram. She passed away two years ago, and I think back to how there were times she just wanted me to stop by, but life got in the way, and I didn't just take 20 minutes out of my hectic schedule to stop by her apartment and give her a hug and let her know she was important to me and now I wish I would have done that more often. I know she loved me and I know that she knew I loved her, but there were times when I put getting things done before my relationship with my Gram. Last night, my nieces, my mom and my sis spent the night. We took the girls to a new park and found a four way bouncy teeter totter. The adults had as much fun as the girls did! We went down slides, played on the swings, climbed up the rock walls, and just had important time together. Did we have other things we could have done? Of course. But, the time with those girls and each other is what was important and is what matters. We spent some great time together.

We show what's important to us by how much time we are willing to invest. The more time we give to something, the more we reveal it's importance to us. Our priorities are revealed when we look at where we invest most of our time. Time is precious because we are all only given so many moments. Our time is our life. When you give someone your time, you give them an important part of your life. It's a gift. If you truly want to show someone you love them, then give them TIME, the most important treasure you have. None of us are promised tomorrow, so show your love for those around you today.

"The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now." ~Rick Warren

"It's not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters." ~Mother Teresa

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. 1 Corinthians 13:3 The Message

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18 (New Living Translation)

Happiness

"Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving.

Reach out.
Share.
Smile.
Hug.

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." ~Og Mandino

Garden

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity.

~Lindley Karstens

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth.

~Dorothy Frances Gurney

Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas. ~Elizabeth Murray

I've been out in my garden this morning. I've been admiring the intricate beauty in each flower, watching the bees collect nectar, and begging my corn and carrots to speed up their growth process, as they seem to be lagging a bit. My tomotoes, lettuce, spinach, peas and beans seem to be on schedule and we will be enjoying juicy home grown tomatoes before too long, thanks to my mom for starting them early. I get peace when I'm in my garden. The things weighing heavy in life seem to disappear for a little bit. I think of how Adam and Eve lived in a perfect, luscious, beautiful garden; something I'm sure we can't even begin to imagine. There wasn't knapweed, hawkweed, crabgrass and all the things we have to deal with in our gardens. It was perfect. They were surrounded by lush beauty, and yet they weren't content to just walk with God and enjoy their surroundings. I guess like I do so many times, they took their eyes off God and got wrapped up in themselves, and they sinned. God didn't walk away from them; as a matter of fact he pursued them while they were hiding. Yeah, like we can hide from God! But, I know I've done the same thing, maybe in a different way, but when I've done something I know is wrong, there have been times when I've either justified it with excuses, blamed someone else, or ignored it and hoped it would go away, but it doesn't. The guilt hangs on. Fortunately, God is always there to take me back and forgive what I've done, all I have to do is ask. He is the ultimate gardener in my life-he prunes away the stuff in my life that isn't healthy for me, he weeds out the things stopping me from growing closer to him, he gives me a drink beside a still stream by allowing me to talk to him, he gives me a boost to help me grow by providing his word to me, and he provides a harvest through me by reaching out to the hurting and lost and caring for them.

I am thankful for my garden. I am more thankful for the Gardener in my life.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2

4th Overview

It was kind of a weird 4th. We always spend time with family on the holidays, but didn't get to do that this year. We have been to the Sandpoint parade for many, many years, but didn't go up this year since the holiday was in the middle of the week and we didn't want to fight the traffic. For some reason, Rathdrum and Post Falls don't have 4th of July celebrations. Spirit Lake does and I thought of going to their celebration, but didn't make it in. I had little desire to go fight the crowds in Coeur d'Alene, especially in the heat. So, we went to breakfast at GW Hunters, went to Kmart and bought a lawn mower on their clearance sale, and then did some geocaching on 4th of July pass and down into to Kellogg, until the heat just got too much to bear. When we came back across the Veteran's Memorial Bridge, there was a pretty good fire going down below in the brush. We got home in time to decide where to go watch fireworks, and headed off to Silverwood. We also got to see most of Spirit Lake's show since we were facing the right direction. We had a light show before the fireworks started, with fire trucks going back and forth, and I can only imagine that their night got even worse, since there were a lot of fireworks being set off in tall fields. Silverwood did a pretty good show. Some of it was pretty low to the ground and we had trees between us and them, so we didn't get to see it all, but what we saw was pretty.