Back in Kansas City, the Fourth of July painted a patriotic theme. There were flags everywhere, especially in front of the local American Legion post. A pleasant breeze had been sifting through the city and was captured by a regiment of waving red, white and blue icons.

The previous night, my darling friend Wendy invited a close group of acquaintences over for a delicious, late-evening cookout. After dining and wishing the other guests farewell, she and I headed downtown to see if we could catch the end of any festivities happening by the river. Mostly we were late, but we did get to see the bridges lit up, each in one of America's freedom-loving colors.

As the Fourth, itself, wore on, I made my way over to Valery and Bob's where a small fireworks spectacular was promised. A crowd of neighbors slowly gathered, feasting on a platter of hamburgers and hot dogs that was waiting to be discovered in Val and Bob's kitchen. With the sun beginning to set, a band of teenagers lit their punks and shot off a collection of parachutes, tanks and minor explosives. Giving the kids plenty of time to play, the adults sat back and waited.