Yes, we celebrated the Fourth of July as we usually do. A cook-out eaten in our cloister. And fireworks in the noon sun. That may be one of the prime examples of monastic ascesis: setting off fireworks in the middle of the day!
Here are two of our older monks lighting the fireworks and our abbot (in the blue cap) watching for some sparks.
One landed in our lily and gold fish pond. There was a bit of drama until we were able to dowse the burning reeds with more water.
A good time was had by all. And we all survived.
