Independence Day went like a fast-moving bottle rocket, without the bottle or the rocket for me. The day started with the annual Butte-to-Butte 10k road race that takes people from the south end of town to the north, running between the boundaries of the two buttes: Spencer and Skinner. This year, rather than run, I volunteered as a “course marshal,” where I stand with a stop sign to block a cross street and prevent cars from crossing the route. I enjoyed seeing many people I knew and cheering them on. Then last evening, I had the chance to attend the USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field with seats on the finish line. It was a fun solo evening, but talking with…