Dramatic changes in the way the DH and I celebrate this holiday. Seven years ago, before downsizing to this apartment, we lived on a wooded acre, in a large house, 3600 square feet. Three outdoor decks surrounded the house, one at the bottom of the hill in the back yard, with a small deck (or landing) leading down to the lower deck.
Attached to the house, a large deck was situated outside the sliding door from the kitchen. Two steps down from the kitchen, we had put in a stone patio, with several small garden beds. The main deck was a step up from the patio. A large deck, under a canopy of beechwood trees. At one time a large, triple trunk dogwood tree covered one corner of the deck. We set up our table and chairs under the dogwood.
Many pleasant days and evenings were spent on this deck, many times with a large gathering of friends and relatives. July 4th was our big holiday gathering. I planned this party for months, gathering all sorts of patriotic paraphernalia, storing lists of patriotic facts in MSWord for use in the annual puzzle game for the guests. Other games, very simple, were included, most of them gone from memory now. The prizes were simple, little things like, pencils, stickers, or whatever I found in the dollar stores or similar places.
Everyone enjoyed the games, win or loose. But one couple took the game seriously. So much so, that to our shock and surprise, they would cheat to win the game. Cheat for a red, white, and blue pencil??? Why were surprised when this was the same couple who cheated on the golf course. Eventually, we dropped them as guests at our home.
Now, I miss planning this party and celebrating the Fourth of July. Sometimes, though, I drag the DH to fireworks that are launched at a small farm just down the road from us. If we get there early enough, we can nab a parking spot right along the field where they stage the entire production.
This farm is surrounded by all sorts of single home, most of them more than 50 years old. It an old community The residents near the farm all seem to have gatherings of their own and baby versions of fireworks on their lawns. So getting there early means you can enjoy their fireworks, too. But they all stop when the farm begins to load their pyrotechnics. People are parked along the street on the two sides of the field that have road access. Others are parked on the opposite side of the road, or along the community's side roads. No one in the community seems upset at outsiders invading their little village.
The traffic is horrendous after the firework spectacle. But everyone is polite and patient in this jam of cars. No way can we turn around and go back the way we come. We have not choice but to got straight ahead with the traffic flow. There is no two way traffic on this road after the show. So straight ahead we go, knowing we will eventually get to a road where, if we turn left, we will eventually find out way back home. For some unknown reason, we've never turned right. Perhaps this year, I'll take this road. (I'm the one driving at night...all the time) I'll have to bear with the objections of the DH and all his expletives directed my way. "Why the #%^ are we going this way?" Etc., etc., etc.
This year, with no plans to do anything and no invitations, I emailed several friends and asked then if they wished to join us for dinner at some lively place, give me a call. Two of them answered, so for two nights in a row, we will go out with friends, to down a bottle or two of wine and toast our freedom.
Freedom??? Will we be losing this soon? It appears that our Congress might be leading us this way. So far now, they are running the automotive business, they've taken over financial companies, and are attempting to absorb the insurance and medical institutions in our country. Why? They want to be like Canada and Europe. WHAT? In Canada, one has to get in line for serious medical concerns such as breast cancer operations, heart bypasses, etc. It's so bad, Canadian citizens come to the USA for treatment. They know they will get treatment immediately on all serious health problems and fast help for other medical concerns. And Europe? Heck, if it wasn't for the USA, they would all be speaking German, including Great Britain.
So why do our reps think we want their systems. Two hundred years plus, our ancestors proved to England and the rest of the world that they had a better idea on how to live in and run a country. Sure, we're a young country compared to Europe, and our Republic's democratic system is still evolving. It's a work in progress and always will be. So why change to Socialism or, Lord forbid, Communism? I learned in college that any system or belief that ended in "ism" is to be questioned and avoided.
I'm afraid for this country. I know there are folks out there who are actively working to keep this from happening. But is that enough? Should I get involved in local groups of the TCUnation? At my age, adding another event to my schedule will only result in anxiety attacks. So what should I do?
Well, I'm here, telling the world how I feel, what I believe. I'm a practicing Roman Catholic and proud of it. I believe in God and know that He is always with me. I pray for our Congress to be circumspect and consider the consequences of their actions. Seems like they don't understand the law of unintended consequences.
I won't get into Global warming today. Much to much to think about. I'd rather be knitting. Plus I have friends to get in touch with. I've neglected them recently.
I know this post comes on the heels of my last one...but I'm full of surprises. Seems I don't' always procrastinate. Well, that's not true...I procrastinate on my knitting time. Seems it's fun to do and I was taught that all the hard work was to be done before you had fun. Interesting, how this stuff stays in your psychic forever. And it's hard to fight. So I procrastinate.
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