Perhaps it's the Hawaiian shirts

Okay, so like while pondering how fully to participate in tomorrow's officially organised and sanctioned debauchery, and seeking a treasured parking spot, She plaintively wondered if her being there would even be "appropriate" before planting the Volvo squarely in front of Trader Joes and heading straight across the parking lot for Starbucks

Cappuccino before 'free range chicken' and salad selection; priorities, "one must have priorities and they should be in order!"

By way of acknowledgement She has, in a very short period of time, developed quite the fascination and appreciation for Trader Joes. Why I'm not exactly sure, mind you She was never a 'free range' aficionado before, but brother She is now.

Anywhoo, after rummaging about the store, picking and choosing an assorted collection of 'natural raised' (?) pork, interesting looking stuffed chicken breasts (free range of course) a melange of sausages, peppers, arugula and farm raised "wild" salmon, numerous hunks of cheese, including stilton, fresh baked breads and, if I must say so myself, seriously succulent grapes and strawberrys

(Yeah, the selection at TJ's is something else)

After She completed Her decidedly "English" interpretation of what an "American" would devour on the Fourth (including 'organic' hot dogs) I was permitted, encouraged in fact, to choose the liquid refreshment, "something reflective of the day" figuring Stella and/or Newcastle Brown would not be 'appropriate' I settled on a combination of "All-American" suds, Miller, PBR, Coors and Bud

(Talk about "useless, and utter, rubbish")

You might be wondering if this is the first town celebration of the "Fourth" She has experienced and your answer is yes, it is. You see, back in Coventry, the Godiva Festival is held each year on the Fourth of July and, it being the biggest event of the year, we NEVER missed it. Tomorrow will be the first we've missed in over twenty years.

Funny that

The pelican? Well he was circling the parking lot when we left Trader Joes, not sure if he was looking for cappuccino or directions