"Are you still writing your blog?"

asks a friend in the hallway today. "Yeah, but you know I've been taking a writing class, so I'm doing a lot of writing, but it's made pushing the 'publish' button on the blog a little harder to do."

"Wait a minute, I thought a writing class should make it easier to write, not harder," is the unspoken comment. "It is easier to write, just harder to publish."

Something similar to this happens when teachers start their students blogging. The students become aware of readers and they seek to clean up their writing. Kids who didn't care about spelling and grammar have new motivation to get it right. Now that I'm a student again, I do care more about what I'm saying.

So, yes, I'm still writing and blogging. And in just a moment, I'll push the "Publish Post" button once again, even though it's not quite as easy as it was a few weeks ago.

Fireworks at Sugarhouse Park

I've watched July 4th fireworks at Salt Lake's Sugarhouse Park for more than three decades.

Watched with my sweetheart before we got married. Watched them there together as newlyweds and young parents. A son remembers falling asleep on the Highland High football field when we watched them together as a family. He'll be a senior this year.

In the last few years, I've watched them from my neighbor's driveway, but last night I got on my bike and rode down to the park. A couple of my nephews were there somewhere on the practice field, but I didn't spot them. I didn't feel alone though. I felt that I was an American among Americans.

Maybe I'll try the bicycle approach again next year. And maybe I'll watch Avalon before I go.