Happy 4th of July!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness... That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." (The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776)

Lest we forget what today is really all about... Freedom from tyranny. Life. Liberty. Happiness. Equality. Fair representation. All the good & righteous stuff the Founding Fathers wanted for our fledgling nation.

Let's also try to remember that there are THOUSANDS of young men and women fighting for those very tenets overseas right now, men and women that can't be with their families, and whose families are really missing them something awful, especially on days like today. There are also many families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom/s. Please don't forget them today, okay?

Here's wishing you and yours a happy Independence Day! I hope you're enjoying a warm summer afternoon BBQ with all the people you love. Dexy and I are going to go stuff ourselves silly on grilled meat, potato salad, frosty beverages, etc. at my friend Susan & Steve's house. No, it's not officially summer in Seattle yet. Apparently that doesn't actually happen (historically) until July 5th. But 80-degree days will be here by Tuesday, and meanwhile, I think I see a little, teeny tiny bit of the sun peeking out behind those clouds. 

Enjoy!

Don't Tread on Me

Happy 232nd Birthday America!!

This is my most favorite National Holiday. And not just b/c I get to watch mid-season major league baseball, be barefoot, or attend block party BBQ's and drink cold beer while the kids run around like maniacs (though those things are all quite nice indeed).

I have fond adult memories of being in towns like Chicago & Washington DC where live symphony orchestras play Sousa marches & the fireworks displays literally knock your socks off! Conversely, I've been to many a local 4th of July parade in nearby beach towns like Huntington or Seal, where everyone is in flip flops & tank tops, cruising around on their bikes & slurping up melting popsicles. But best of all? Being a Mama & seeing the absolute wonder on my daughters face when (gasp! illegal) sparklers and pinwheels light up the pavement at dusk.

I'm also old enough to remember 1976, our Nation's 200th birthday. It was the year the Freedom Train traveled across the country (it actually came to my hometown of Long Beach CA - crazy that we still had train tracks in our city to accommodate it). I remember it being a time when every home on our block flew an American Flag from their porch. It was also a time when we all had patches ironed/sewn on to our jeans of peace signs w/ an American Flag background (remember those?). The Bicentennial Celebration made us feel super patriotic & proud of our country and there was no shame in it, as there seems to be now. We ran around barefoot, played kick the can & flag football in the street, climbed trees & ate 25 cent candy bars with our allowance money. Jimmy Carter became President & his daughter Amy was my age (which was totally weird). At my elementary school, we sewed Betsy Ross flags, wore white cotton bonnets, hung red white & blue banners from the windows, and then had a pageant on the playground. Our parents sat on the grass munching on yummy picnic snacks & clapped along w/ us as we sang & marched. I'll never forget 1976. It's certainly my most memorable childhood Independence Day celebration (probably because it lasted all year long - LOL).

What do YOU remember?

Happy Independence Day everyone, I hope you have a great time w/ your families & friends.

The End.