Thanks Phil and Karen

Well It Rained, Still a Wonderful Celebration

Just returned from a very soggy 4th of July celebration. Thanks Karen and Phil for inviting us to hang out with your younger friends.

The Bratz were perfectly grilled Phil. The taste of the real charcoal is so much richer than gas grilled.

That apple pie Karen brought back so many good memories of growing up in Idaho. And then the caramel home made ice cream! What a treat.

The best part however was just getting to know you better and getting reaquainted with all the young families in your neighborhood.

You both have such a gift of inviting people into your lives.

What could America become if there was a Phil and Karen Talon on every block? People who love to invite other people into their personal lives.

In Wendell Berry's "The Unsettling of America" he explores the whole notion that when we congregate closely in cities we tend to move to independence and isolation. My good friend Dan Evered says the automatic garage door opener has done more to cause isolation in the suburbs. It is ironic that as we "gain" progress we really make it harder to care about and rely on community.

So I want to challenge all of us here in Lexington to really make an effort somehow to connect to our communities. Throw a party, plant a garden together, invite neighbors to take a walk together, share a meal.

Happy Birthday America!