Out of Body Independence

Last night I had the most surreal, authentic patriotic moment of my life.  I was sitting in the family room whipping up another bushel of cherries for my current project and watching John Adams on HBO.  I have such a fascination with this series - and I am (well I was not) a history buff.  This is one series you must see - even if you need to purchase the DVD.   Ever man, woman and child in this country needs to watch this series.  I don't care if you pledge a political party or not, if you have a religious belief or not.  This has nothing to do with that.  Watch this series. You will be humbled, awed, educated, inspired and gain a profound respect and gratitude for what these people did to form this country.

Back to the subject.  There I was, sewing away and watching the founding fathers argue over whether or not we (the freakishly small and weak colonies) should tell King George and the most powerful country in the world to kiss off.  As the program progressed, the gritty and horrifying realities of the Revolutionary War were portrayed with battles, bloodied men, and LOTS of cannons.  About this time the fireworks started going off over historic Gloucester Harbor (the site of the battle of Gloucester in 1775)  and the BOOM BOOM BOOM of the fireworks meshed with the BOOM BOOM BOOM of the cannons in the war.  There I was, watching the birth of our country and hearing the celebration of that birth outside my windows.  Gloucester harbor's  booming cannons of 1775 were replaced with the booming fireworks of 2010.  It was a profoundly moving moment.  I don't think I have ever in my life fully  realized the importance of July 4th until last night.

Happy Birthday, America.  And a shout-out to the founding mothers, too.  Even John Adams admitted he would not be worth his salt without the counsel and wisdom of Abigail.