July passed me by. There was no time for writing, no time for thinking, and no time for anything except visiting with my family, cooking, doing chores, and reading books! I have a stack of books to read, and even more--now that my brother sent me two packages of books with the friendly note, “in case you have time to read.” I love this challenge.
No book I’ve ever read about the Revolutionary War and the founding of America, however, has been as interesting or informative as Irving Stone’s Those Who Love, a book about John and Abigail Adams. I recommend that book, although I admit the language is old-fashioned by today's standards. The unruly climate that now invades our daily politics is nothing like that which happened in Boston during the time of the Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, and the Boston Tea Party. John and Abigail Adams were witness to those events, and later John Adams became the second president of the United States. Our founding fathers were not saintly, but they sure were wise when it came to establishing a government that would provide people with liberty and representation.
Having read about Adams, I began to review all the presidents we have had since those times. I’ve memorized the first batch. I’ve lived through (or with) the last batch, but that middle batch starting from James Garfield and going through Wilson seem difficult for me to keep in order. I’m working on it.
To see that my mind isn’t totally muddled, I also practice remembering the 17 Republican candidates that ran in the 2016 election. This year, there were 23 Democrats who threw their hats in the ring, but have most subsequently bowed out. I haven’t committed them to memory, but will try to do so. I recall John Adam’s words, “We live in an age of ferment. The best we can hope for are parcels of calm. I doubt we will ever know truly tranquil years. “ His words give me perspective.
A democracy such as ours is an unruly thing, with wrangling, pushing’s, arguing, and compromising. It’s pure genius, and the finest form of government that ever has existed. The 4th of July is special and should be celebrated. But 4th of July celebrants should be about judicious and not firing off fireworks that damage neighboring structures.
But that’s what happened to us. This past 4th of July, the party next door to our office building, disregarded rules, and now the back side of the building needs costly repairs. Siding has to be replaced, window screens also need to be replaced, then painting has to be done. Their “rockets’ red glare” left residue and pock marks and holes all over the building. The insurance company states the claim as “vandalism.” (I have seen neither hide nor hair of those neighbors since that night and note they’ve kept their curtains closed. Ah, yes, I wish for a confession !) Well-a-day, the good news is that family visited, and I have lots of books to read, and after weeks with no rain and wilting plants and trees, it finally did rain! Life is what we make of it.
No book I’ve ever read about the Revolutionary War and the founding of America, however, has been as interesting or informative as Irving Stone’s Those Who Love, a book about John and Abigail Adams. I recommend that book, although I admit the language is old-fashioned by today's standards. The unruly climate that now invades our daily politics is nothing like that which happened in Boston during the time of the Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, and the Boston Tea Party. John and Abigail Adams were witness to those events, and later John Adams became the second president of the United States. Our founding fathers were not saintly, but they sure were wise when it came to establishing a government that would provide people with liberty and representation.
Having read about Adams, I began to review all the presidents we have had since those times. I’ve memorized the first batch. I’ve lived through (or with) the last batch, but that middle batch starting from James Garfield and going through Wilson seem difficult for me to keep in order. I’m working on it.
To see that my mind isn’t totally muddled, I also practice remembering the 17 Republican candidates that ran in the 2016 election. This year, there were 23 Democrats who threw their hats in the ring, but have most subsequently bowed out. I haven’t committed them to memory, but will try to do so. I recall John Adam’s words, “We live in an age of ferment. The best we can hope for are parcels of calm. I doubt we will ever know truly tranquil years. “ His words give me perspective.
A democracy such as ours is an unruly thing, with wrangling, pushing’s, arguing, and compromising. It’s pure genius, and the finest form of government that ever has existed. The 4th of July is special and should be celebrated. But 4th of July celebrants should be about judicious and not firing off fireworks that damage neighboring structures.
But that’s what happened to us. This past 4th of July, the party next door to our office building, disregarded rules, and now the back side of the building needs costly repairs. Siding has to be replaced, window screens also need to be replaced, then painting has to be done. Their “rockets’ red glare” left residue and pock marks and holes all over the building. The insurance company states the claim as “vandalism.” (I have seen neither hide nor hair of those neighbors since that night and note they’ve kept their curtains closed. Ah, yes, I wish for a confession !) Well-a-day, the good news is that family visited, and I have lots of books to read, and after weeks with no rain and wilting plants and trees, it finally did rain! Life is what we make of it.
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