The 4th of July makes me think of many things.
Cookouts at my Auntie Ida’s, chicken sizzling on the grill. A trash can filled with ice cold Coca-Colas, my mother’s famous potato salad served in a bright green bowl.
White pants and red, white and blue T-shirts.
Freshly mowed grass I’d run barefoot in.
The flag my Uncle Danny hoisted over their redwood picnic table fluttering in the breeze.
Watching Yankee Doodle Dandy on our old RCA Victor, waiting for James Cagney to tap dance down the White House Steps.
I also think of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, our second and third presidents, dying on the same day…July 4th, 1826, the fiftieth Anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Independence.
Can’t deny God was in the details on that one. 
“Jefferson lives,” was what Adams said before he breathed his last, but old Tom had already left moments before, getting a head start to those Elysian Fields.
I see the Statue of Liberty standing proudly in the harbor, watching over all she represents.
My mother, who loved her so, when I was little said, “She’s always home, Lady Liberty, so, when you visit, you never have to worry about missing her.”
Despite all that goes on in our beloved country, it’s sure nice to know, Liberty, is always home.
Happy 4th 
SB
To know that liberty is always home because of the things men like Adams and Jefferson set in motion is truly remarkable. As John Adams wrote to his wife: “I must study politics and war, that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, and music.”
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I LOVE that you wrote this. Thank you. The more knowledge contributed, plumps up the piece. Happy 4th to you Adam.
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What a lovely post! We all need to stop and be thankful for all our country means to us. We celebrated something different when I was little — my mother’s birthday.
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She was born on the 4th? A firecracker? Love that Anne. She was a little patriot right out of the gate…:)
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She was a very quiet, private person! I’m not like her.
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So in other words, she had a firecracker she named Anne…:)
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I don’t have enough pizazz to be a firecracker. I fizzle like a sparkler.
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Yes but sparklers are the Lana Turners of fireworks. They light the way. 🙂
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Lady Liberty is what it’s all about!
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She never goes out of style. 🙂
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Wresting control from the British was certainly a good thing and worthy of annual celebration.
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To think it began with tea and a swim…:)
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Liberty is so easy to take for granted when it’s all we’ve known. Around 23 years ago, the director of our oldest daughter’s Russian orphanage escorted another child over here. When we met up with her, she said, “I cried when I was shown your grocery stores. We were always told that the pictures of them with all their food was a single store shown for propaganda. I can’t believe it is real. You are so lucky.”
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We are lucky Skinny and terribly spoiled. I’m humbled by your story as I’m about to stroll to Whole Foods to stock up on goodies. Liberty is so sacred.
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I love your family picnic memories. Remember there was not a single store opened or sale to be found? We were all very content just being with our relatives trying not to get grass stains on our pants. Good Times!
As for LL out in the Harbor …. Rock On Girl!
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Grass stains on your white clam diggers now coined capris. Luckily Auntie Ida had cans of club soda along with those Cokes in her famous cooler of a trash can. How I loved her. Sigh
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Loved the memories you brought back . I think those of us who grew up during that post WW2 era saw the best times of America . Of course there was unrest and problems , no generation is free of them , but I feel I had an amazing time growing up in The United States . I recall looking up our street on the 4th and every single home had Old Glory proudly displayed !
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I remember that too. Everyone put out their flag…sigh
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May we never take it for granted, even as some are doing now. May it always be with us.
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You said it pal. We don’t know how lucky we are.
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I could feel the freshly cut grass between my toes! Wonderful post… I love James Cagney tap dancing down those steps, one of my most favorite movies. Woke up thinking about it this morning. Woke up thinking of you too… hope you have had a wonderful day. Wave to Lady Liberty for me, someday, somehow, I will see her up close! ❤
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I will. I’m due for a Staten Island Ferry ride. Best deal in town…it’s free and Lib waves to you as you go by.
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