So, if it takes three licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, how long does it take for a delicious, home-made, 100% Angus Beef (80/20 mix), organic smoked cheddar-topped, Independence Day-enhanced, backyard BBQ-cooked hamburger to make its way through a stomach cancer patient’s digestive system? As fast as three licks? The world may never (or want to) know. But I can tell you it is quick and not pleasant!

On the Fourth of July, I don’t think there is anything better than a backyard BBQ with burgers, dogs, brats, home-made potato salad, fresh corn, and sliced watermelon. Being from Utah, I suppose I should add green Jell-O salad to the list as well.

It’s no wonder, then, after a month of barely eating – and when I do eat, consuming only rice or mashed potatoes (not to include an ill-advised adventure with Kraft Mac & Cheese…see my 19 Jun post for the torrid details) – I wanted to fully enjoy the holiday’s offerings.

As I sat down at the dinner table, a juicy hot cheeseburger called to me – nothing else. Just the burger. The rest of the holiday’s offerings stayed away from my plate. But not the burger.

With just a small swirl of Heinz fanciest catsup on a gently toasted bun, I ate something that wasn’t pale and bland; rather, it was something succulent and savory.

It. Was. Delicious.

But as good as it tasted, my chemo-ravaged intestinal tract revolted.

There is a reason I can only tolerate a BRAT diet right now…bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast for those (usually little kids) with gastrointestinal issues.

A miserable afternoon ensued as my body rapidly (like three licks fast) flushed the ill effects of BBQ burger bliss. Luckily I was able to recover in time for fireworks out in the front of the house with family, friends, and neighbors.

Lesson re-learned: no yummy foods anytime soon. 😫🤢🤮

That said, I am open to any new and inventive recipes to steam rice or boil potatoes!

A wonderful, short-notice surprise came to fruition on Wednesday as I was Frocked to Colonel in preparation for my new job working for the newly established United States Space Command (USSPACECOM).

Lt Gen Dave “DT” Thompson officiated an amazing ceremony hastily prepared by the United States Air Force Space Command Forward Element staff on my behalf.

It was an awesome day surrounded by family, friends, and co-workers as I was promoted. Due to the rapid nature of the notification, more of my family couldn’t make it. So, here are some photos to illustrate the day!

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This morning, I also had the opportunity to share some thoughts at our church’s annual 4th of July pancake breakfast. Like the promotion ceremony, it was a touching and awesome event that reminded me of the amazing country in which we live.

The past couple of days have “reblued” me (AKA Air Force speak for re-sparking the flame that drives our Service before Self core value).

One of the sources of inspiration for me comes from a speech by President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, delivered in 1910 at the Sorbonne, founded in Paris, France in 1257.  Citizenship in a Republic was delivered in 1910 wherein President Roosevelt extolled the virtues and burdens required to preserve our American and democratic way of life and government. I find the most impactful part of the President’s speech (and most cited) to be particularly stirring during Independence Day:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

I hope we all take time this July 4th to remind ourselves that we are all “in the arena” and engaged in a “worthy cause” with this great experiment in democracy that is an America of the people, by the people, and for the people. May we all dare greatly in preserving our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.