Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. We have almost made it to the end of another month, putting us at the halfway mark of 2024. I hope the second half of the year is a good one!
Quote of the Week: “Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.” –Albert Camus
Book of the Week: I don’t usually like to draw attention to my own writings, but with Independence Day coming up, Finding Love in Cedar Falls is a great holiday read. The story begins in the middle of June, when Theo James meets Andromeda “Romi” Alexander. Cedar Falls boasts the best Fourth of July celebration for miles around. You’ll find motorcycles, bookstores, a fun day of games and fireworks, and, of course, a little bit of romance. It is one of my “fan favorites,” so I think you will like it. I am trying to find the motivation to finish the sequel, Return to Cedar Falls, in which Arthur and Clara get their own story.
Joke of the Week: What did the fireworks eat at the movies? Pop-corn
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: People celebrate Independence Day in many different ways. Some gravitate to water and go boating or to the pool, while others have cookouts and maybe set off a few fireworks.
Please use caution when out on the water. Wear the proper amount of sunscreen and stay hydrated. Life jackets are sometimes inconvenient, but they save lives. Be mindful of smaller children and the danger of letting them sit too close to the sides of the boat, especially if they are fond of water. Also, be aware while at the pool. It just takes a moment for a little one to fall in. When my husband was in the Army, we lived in San Angelo, Texas, for the summer of 1991. We were at the pool one evening, and two small children were in the water with us. All of the adults who were with these children sat at the opposite end of the pool with their backs to us. The little girl fell off the step and into water over her head. She did everything right to get on top of the water but could not. Had we not been there to pull her out, she would have drowned. Only after we had pulled her out were the adults suddenly concerned for their children’s safety.
When cooking out with the family, please be mindful of your pets, especially if fireworks are involved. Most household animals panic when they hear the popping sound of fireworks. Military veterans sometimes have difficulty with fireworks, too, especially if they have served in armed conflict. We appreciate our armed forces, as they are partly responsible for the holiday.
Recipe of the Week: Coconut Cake
What you’ll need:
1 box white cake mix
1 container vanilla frosting
1 bag shredded coconut
cherries
Bake the cake according to directions on the package, using either traditional round cake pans or a rectangular baking pan. Let the cake cool completely. If you made two circles, frost the first layer and generously cover it with the coconut. Align the top layer above the first and frost it, then add coconut. Top with a cherry in the center of the cake, or you can put a cherry for each slice on the individual plates. For the rectangle pan, slather on the vanilla frosting, then add the coconut. You can add the cherries however you want, in whatever pattern.
Shout-Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout-out to all who honor freedom here in the United States. Our nation isn’t perfect, but we all make a difference in our corner of the world. Thank you for being you.
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
