Tag Archive for independence

Celebrating Independence

July 3, 2020 Comments Off on Celebrating Independence

Happy Independence Day!  I’ll celebrate by noticing how truly independent I am.  I have so many choices: sleep inside my home or camp outside; eat too many BBQ ribs or not eat at all; go to the doctor with my nagging cold or just ride it out; go to work or take a day off; spend full price on that coat, just because I love it, or forego it for now, hoping to find it on sale or even free from someone who no longer wants hers. 

I can choose to spend my day dreaming of fun activities with the family or worrying about what might happen to me next.  Oddly, I’m given this independence of choice through an accident of life.  Because I’m not mentally ill or addicted to a destructive substance, am not divorced, and I was lucky enough to situate myself comfortably before the economy tanked, I get to enjoy my independence while others struggle on the streets. 

Yes, I’ll spend this 4th of July weekend in deep appreciation.

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We Need Our Liberty Bell

March 13, 2020 Comments Off on We Need Our Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell represents our nation’s aspirations.  It’s good to think about it from time to time, especially now, when we need to focus on unity, not division.  Here are a couple of interesting facts about it.

Crack: Nobody knows for sure when or how the crack happened. It’s been the center of much speculation, though, based less on fact and more on symbolism. One theory is that it cracked when our nation divided itself from Britain—during the Revolutionary War.  Another is that it happened during Chief Justice John Marshall’s funeral. Despite little formal education, he rose to have great judicial influence on the direction of our country.

Ring: It hasn’t rung since 1846, during George Washington’s birthday.  Maybe it had done its job.  It was erected in 1752 and first rung when the Declaration of Independence was first read in 1776.  We were totally independent when we had our first President.

Anyway, I think it’s time to cherish such icons as the Liberty Bell and Statue of Liberty, to remember we really are—all of us — “one nation under God,” and we should stop our bickering, hatred, and cruelty to each other and reunite as a nation.

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Four Thoughts for the Fourth

July 3, 2019 Comments Off on Four Thoughts for the Fourth

To get us ready for tomorrow, I thought it appropriate to send you to the HufPost’s Four Thoughts  for the Fourth.  This short article points out what the day actually signifies, how our people have changed since 1776, how the 4th became a real holiday, and what the [blank] fireworks has to do with it!  I found it interesting and hope you do, too.

Happy Independence Day!

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Talk About an Informal President!

May 13, 2019 Comments Off on Talk About an Informal President!

Here’s a bit of American trivia, this time about one of our Presidents. 

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was a lover of everything French?  Possibly.  Did you know how laid-back he was?  Probably not.  For example, he preferred a leisurely life and engaged in it whenever possible.  For example, when people visited the White House, he would greet them in his slippers and robe. And he further de-formalized meeting with visitors by shaking hands instead of bowing, which was the norm established by George Washington because G.W. didn’t like physical contact.

Not the image we have of this man who wrote the Declaration of Independence, established the U.S. Military Academy, abolished the slave trade, and accomplished many other important tasks for our country.

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Celebrating My Own Independence

July 3, 2018 Comments Off on Celebrating My Own Independence

Happy Independence Day!  I’ll celebrate by noticing how truly independent I am.  I have so many choices: sleep inside my home or camp outside; eat too many BBQ ribs or not eat at all; go to the doctor with my nagging cold or just ride it out; go to work or take a day off; spend full price on that coat, just because I love it, or forego it for now, hoping to find it on sale or even free from someone who no longer wants hers.  I can choose to spend my day dreaming of fun activities with the family or worrying about what might happen to me next.  Oddly, I’m given this independence of choice through an accident of life.  Because I’m not mentally ill or addicted to a destructive substance, am not divorced, and I was lucky enough to situate myself comfortably before the economy tanked, I get to enjoy my independence while others struggle on the streets.  Yes, I’ll spend this 4th of July weekend in deep appreciation.

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Elder Driving: Safety and Independence

June 26, 2018 Comments Off on Elder Driving: Safety and Independence

Is there an older person in your life who should give up driving but hates to even think about it?  You can’t just sell their car or take away their keys, and blaming them for accidents or for driving too slowly only creates a rift between you.

AARP has a free online seminar that leads you through how to handle the situation.  It’s called We Need to Talk. Learn how to approach the subject in a natural, loving way, assess their driving skills, and discuss alternatives to driving themselves while maintaining their cherished independence.

This little course is a valuable tool. Take a look at it.

 

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Go Forth with the Fourth

July 3, 2017 Comments Off on Go Forth with the Fourth

To get us ready for tomorrow, I thought it appropriate to send you to the HufPost’s Four Thoughts  for the Fourth.  This short article points out what the day actually signifies, how our people have changed since 1776, how the 4th became a real holiday, and what the [blank] fireworks has to do with it!  I found it interesting and hope you do, too.

Happy Independence Day!

 

 

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Thoughtful Thursday: Words Our Country Must Remember

July 4, 2013 Comments Off on Thoughtful Thursday: Words Our Country Must Remember

“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.”

[The writers of our Declaration of Independence were straightforward and clear: talking about all people, throughout the world, despite circumstances of birth or socioeconomic standing.]

Happy Independence Day!

Flag Wave

 

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