This is the 250th birthday celebration of our country and it is going to be spectacular. I guess there will be giant firework extravaganzas and my dogs will need tranquilizers for a month. I will have a month to prepare for them freaking out and it is going to be a chore. Momma Said, “Maybe I should have stuck with cats.”

I loved picnics when I was a kid and I can still taste the watermelon and smell the campfires. Mom and Gran would take us camping every chance they got and we would have so much fun. I miss those times and just the smell of a fire can reignite those memories.

We shared so much outdoors when we were growing up and my brother and I enjoyed it more than our sisters. We were hardly ever in the house and that is the way I liked it. I’m sure Mom enjoyed it too because we were not underfoot. Momma Said, “Enough is enough just stay outside.”

I feel sorry for kids that have to grow up in cities, they are missing so much and don’t even know it. The smell of a freshly mowed hayfield, the sound of birds waking you up in the early morning and butterflies floating in the gentle spring breeze. It was like heaven when school was out and we could spend the entire day just soaking up sunshine and memories.

Watermelon Basil Salad

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

4 cups cubed watermelon

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

Stack fresh basil leaves on top of each other and roll tightly into a log. Slice lengthwise into thin ribbons.

Combine basil slices and watermelon in a large bowl. Drizzle lemon juice over watermelon.

Mix salt and chili powder together; sprinkle over watermelon and toss to combine. Chill salad before serving, at least 30 minutes.