I love Independence Day so as I write this Thursday Rundown I am trying to manage my excitement. So on this Fourth of July Eve, please excuse me if I seem to write in an even more random manner than I usually do. But just like a firework does, I will do my best to sparkle…
Sunrise Mass – Last weekend was packed from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. But sandwiched within all the activities was a really special opportunity on Saturday morning. At 4 a.m., Fr. Jeff Lewis led a small group of us up the Iller Creek Trail to a scenic clearing that overlooked the Spokane Valley and Palouse regions. Once there, he celebrated mass as the sun slowly started to rise. It was the perfect way to start the day and a great opportunity to worship God among his beautiful creation.

Fr. Jeff Lewis led a hike up the Iller Creek trail for a sunrise mass this past Saturday.
Orchards and Water – I mentioned in Monday’s blog post that Sid and I recently attended the wedding of a couple we mentored for their Pre-Cana marriage prep. After the wedding mass concluded at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brewster, Washington, we headed to the reception a few minutes away at a place called Lone Point Cellars. This winery boasted some incredible views as it overlooked fruit orchards and the Columbia River. What a setting for a reception!

Sidney walks along the perimeter of Lone Point Cellars in Brewster, Washington. The view was incredible.
Anxiety – I get the appeal of self-serve flavor stations at shaved ice stands, but I really dislike them. The Koana Ice truck made an appearance at the finale of Catholic Summer Camp and I begrudgingly promised the kids I would get them one. Sloan managed for the most part but Beau trying to put his flavors on was a messy disaster. I told my friend that few things bring me more anxiety than watching a 5-year-old attempt to flavor his shaved ice.

When a 5-year-old is in the mix, this is always a disaster.
Is A Hot Dog A Sandwich – With the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest tomorrow, I must bring up the heated debate: Is a hot dog a sandwich? I still say NO. But I would be remiss if I didn’t defer to the experts. One of the more quirky projects I pulled off at WSU was producing a video that asked a food scientist for his opinion on the loaded question. It is worth a watch!

This might be the closest a hot dog comes to being a sandwich but what the competitive eaters will be eating tomorrow in no way constitutes a sandwich in my mind.
Idaho Love – It was on this date in 1890 that Idaho became the 43rd state to join the Union. As Idaho marks its 135th anniversary, it is important to reflect on the fact that the state is going through some tough times. Bryan Kohberger accepted a plea deal this week, undoubtedly opening old wounds from that heinous night in Moscow back in 2022. And then this past Sunday, two firefighters were killed in an ambush right outside of Coeur d’Alene as first responders reported to a brush fire. Tomorrow my family will attend the Coeur d’Alene Fourth of July Parade and hopefully have the opportunity to honor those, both living and not, who answered the call on Sunday. We stand with our very close neighbors to the east!

Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890.
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Please be safe tomorrow. Use common sense when it comes to fireworks and take time to reflect on the good fortune we have to live in the United States of America. Don’t Blink.