Happy Fourth of July . . .

Not reading any newspapers, looking at TV, FB or anything that might ruin my holiday mood. Our local coffee shop is closed today so we've invited the gang of friends we always meet there over for coffee in our garden. While our party-size pot brews up 30 cups of coffee, I will listen to my ritual 4th of July musical selections. My all-American lineup: Rhapsody in Blue (George Gershwin), Appalachian Spring (Aaron Copland) and We Can Be Together/Volunteers (Jefferson Airplane). Of course, I will put out our flag!

Did you know that you can order a flag from your U.S. Representative to be flown over the Capitol in Washington on a specific date to commemorate a special event like a birthday or retirement? Twenty-nine years ago I ordered one of these cotton flags from our then-Senator, Bill Proxmire. You have to order in advance obviously, and I ordered a flag that was flown on our wedding day.

I wanted to have a flag all ready for the day we owned our own house. I thought then — and still think now — that it's important that Americans of all political persuasions fly the flag, rather than letting it be kidnapped by one group to use as their personal political symbol. So fly your flag and enjoy the day.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

“In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.” - Barack Obama

Happy Independence Day, Linda!

[Peter/Outlaw]

Happy Independence Day! Yes, that flag belongs to we the people; all of us! We usually read the Declaration of Independence and Constitution on this day.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Good for you two. Our flag is flying. My annual bouquet is made. We are ready to go to a friends house for a cookout, pool volleyball, and homemade ice cream. Happy Fourth!

[Jane Strong]

I like your way of celebrating the Fourth.
Jefferson Airplane, wow, that's way back in time now. My TAPES for today include Stars and Stripes Forever with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops (didn't they used to have a show on the Fourth?) and Grand Canyon Suite.

[Rae Kaiser]

Our flag is up. It was also flown over the Capitol in Washington. My Dad, a proud veteran, gave us each one for Christmas one year. I think my brother's was in tatters so I gave him mine when we were moving to a condo. In this condo we can have a flag so my sister who is an apartment gave me hers. Thanks Dad. I think of you each holiday I put ours out.

[Linda Brazill]

Have you seen the special section on the Constitution in the NY Times' print edition for today? Really terrific.

[Linda Brazill]

Homemade ice cream! What a treat. I've only been to one summer party where the hosts made ice cream, or rather we all took turns at the hand churn. I still remember it 40 years later.

[Linda Brazill]

That kind of statement from Obama is one of the things that keeps us going these days!

[Linda Brazill]

I'm sure you are correct that Fiedler and the Boston Pops always did a 4th of July concert filmed lived on public television.

[Linda Brazill]

One of my sisters who was the first home-owner among us got the family flag. I think it was from my Dad's side of the family but not sure. Actually not really sure where it came from, but it was a huge flag that was pre-WWII and before there were 50 states. Hanging from our porch frame it almost touched the porch floor. It was so cool.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

What everyone else said! And thanks for the reminder: The sun is setting and it's time to retire the flag for the day. Happy 4th!

[Barbara H.]

Oh Linda, coffee in the garden on the 4th. That sounds like it was delightful. Let's hold out hope for the best possible outcome for all concerned. That has become my mantra in every kind of difficult situation.