As a child, summers were always spent trying to be near the water as often as possible. Where I grew up, you could find nearby lakes and rivers to swim in, in every direction. This painting captures a Fourth of July afternoon by a lake near my in-laws' home. The carefree play of children and the warmth of the summer breeze. The toddler almost stands as a sentinel, however, reminding us that the Fourth of July is the midway point of the summer and the cool weather will be back again soon