Come Sunday, I’ll be proud to join Americans across the country — and those overseas — in celebrating Independence Day. 

I love how the colors of the American flag show up everywhere around the holiday, whether it’s a bunch of red, white and blue helium-filled balloons reaching up to the sky or a strawberry shortcake topped with blueberries and sweet cream.

After a year of relative isolation for so many of us, we’re finally getting back together in social situations. 

And I sincerely hope we haven’t forgotten our manners during the health crisis — although the state of the please-and-thank-you-and-you’re-welcome world seems precarious at best.

I discussed wedding gifts in this spot a couple of weeks ago, but it’s still June — the traditional month for brides and grooms — and there is always more to say. 

Many who are preparing to walk the aisle have been busy selecting the color scheme for bridesmaid dresses, flowers and the wedding reception or dinner, from the tablecloths to the napkins to the parting gifts for guests.