I generally make some sort of post on Independence Day, but yesterday I neglected to. It was the usual “Main Street, USA” kind of Fourth here in Wellfleet: a slightly goofy, locally themed parade under a hot July sun. (Along Main Street.)
One thing I might have mentioned yesterday was that John Adams, our second President and a key figure among the Founding Fathers, died on July 4th, 1826 (as did Thomas Jefferson). A (characteristically prickly) remark of his seems particularly pertinent this year:
“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.’
I hope you all had a happy holiday.
One Comment
Ours was a Glorious Fourth of July!
The Ladies and I unfurled the banner we had so carefully embroidered with the words of dear John Adams dearest friend, Abigail: Remember the Ladies. Recalling how, “all men would be tyrants if they could,” the Ladies and I exercised our First Amendment Rights to Free Speech and Peaceable Assembly, this year proudly taking to the streets to express not only our strong favor for the Bill of Rights in general, but our particular desire to see the Restoration of the Fourth Amendment.
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
Lest you gentlemen be unduly concerned, please be assured we in no way allowed our civic duty to eclipse our duty to hearth and home; all the children received their Sparklers and we merrily applauded the menfolk for the impressive display of Fireworks.
What a fine time I have had here at Man Chat! You have made this girlie girl feel most welcome. How I do regret that I cannot tarry. Without a proper chaperone and armed only with my hat pin, I am concerned for my virtue. As delightful it was to be serenaded by Le Grand Henri, he has shown us only too clearly how easily the Lady of the manor might be seduced by a roguish gamekeeper.
As for Mr Duff mistaking me for JK, I must say I am more than a little surprised and I now feel summoned to quote from Jane Austen, “I do not speak well enough to be unintelligible.”
(And, just so you know, Mr Duff, should I ever appear in drag here at Man Chat, I shall wear my top hat and tails; this would be your first clue. Your suspicions would only be further confirmed should you find yourself dancing backward and to my tune.)
Thank you again, Malcolm, for a lovely time.
Should you august Gentlemen of Man Chat ever again catch the scent of lavender and bergamot wafting in the air, it will be me waving my lace handkerchief and hoping to gain your attention to some urgent issue of State. Until then . . .
It is Sunday and I am headed now to exercise my Right to Freedom of Religion.
As a Pastafarian and member in good standing in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I intend bow my head and observe silence in church. Only at the close of meditation will I raise my eyes to murmur quietly, “Ramen.”