Our First Fourth of July on the Island

If you have never seen the Anna Maria Fourth of July parade, put it on your list for next year. It is the real thing: golf carts in bunting, kids with water guns showing absolutely no mercy, half the island in lawn chairs, and everybody waving at everybody.

We closed the shop for the morning and got the whole crew into matching blue shirts, which took some convincing but was worth it for the photo alone. Then we planted ourselves out front with the neighbors and watched the parade roll down the avenue.

By early afternoon the shop was open again and full of sandy feet, which is exactly how we like it. A couple who came in to cool off left with one of our one of a kind paintings, so I would call that a successful holiday.

Thank you to everyone who waved, wandered in, or just made our first Fourth here so much fun. And a reminder from all of us: it is sea turtle nesting season, so keep those beach lights low. See you at the shop.