Happy 4th of July!!!

Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.

~John Adams

The boisterous sea of liberty 

is never without a wave.

~Thomas Jefferson

I remember learning these songs from my 3rd Grade teacher Miss Everett. We'd sing them in the morning and let me tell you, we were ready for the day! I think it tapped into my past life during WWII. Anyway ... here goes!

There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty,

that makes human nature rise above itself,

in acts of bravery and heroism.

~John Hamilton

 If we restrict liberty to again security we will lose them both.

~Benjamin Franklin 

The people ... are the only sure reliance for the preservation of liberty.

~Thomas Jefferson

And what are fireworks with J.P. Sousa!? I think I posted this before but ... I have to!

I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms

until there shall no longer be a doubt 

that all men are created free and equal.

~Abraham Lincoln

Happy Independence Day!! 

Blessings and light!

I Love A Parade ~ July 4th and Parades Gone By

Happy 4th of July!!!

Well, I'm not quite making it up to Ojai, in time for the parade this year.  I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that there will be some of the usual suspects involved in the festivities. Of course, that's one of the things I love about a hometown parade!

These photos, were from last years parade, in Ojai California.

Love the all the kids, in the parade!

And the cool cars ...

And the cuteness ...

I suspect my attachment to, and love of, 4th of July parades goes back to my childhood and being in the "Pushem-Pullem Parade" with my sister Penny, and our old pals and neighbors, Stephen and Matthew almost every July 4th!

For all but the last, I am completely guessing on the years! Oh, and the parade was (and still is) on Main Street in Ventura, California, just in case you were wondering. 

 1980

1979

The Wizard of Oz Year

Poor Matthew doesn't look so happy to be the lion.

 

1977

The year we did Cinderella. 

My sister, far left as the fairy Godmother, then yours truly as Cinderella, Stephen as the Prince and Matthew as the King, hidden behind Steve. I'm guessing that I was the one deciding what we were dressing up as, since it looks like I was the "lead" ... again. Thanks guys, for going along with it! ;)

   

(It must have been a fairy tale theme, that year!)

Stephen and I, below.

Steve's little sister Amanda is in the stroller (guessing this is after the parade ended) and that's my sister Penny, on the right, as the fairy Godmother.

I found out on Facebook today, that I am not the only one who saved this button! 

And the U.S. Bicentennial ~ 1976

As Betsy Ross (taking my job very seriously.)

Happy 4th!

Blessings and light!

America the Beautiful ... in Ojai

Happy 4th of July!!!

From the Dick Cavett Show, September '72

These were taken July 4, 2011, up in Ojai, at my parents house.

My sis and my nephew Benjamin!

 

Ben's first "snakes."

And my nephew's first sparkler! (Can't believe how much he's grown since then!)

Fireworks by the pool ...

 

And then fireworks at the high school ...

Whatever you do, this 4th of July, I hope it's spectacular.

O beautiful for patriot's dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears.

America!

America!

God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea.

~Katherine Lee Bates

Blessings and light!

I Am a Yankee Doodle Dandeeeeee ...

-Though I wasn't born on the 4th of July (I am a Sagittarius, you know!) I am beyond excited for tomorrow!

Tomorrow my nephew is in the 4th of July parade in Ojai, California. Last year the parade was ... well, rather than trying to describe it in words, you can check it out here. Pretty awesome. :)

I have had this handmade "July Mouse" (below) since I collected mice as a little girl. I think I actually got him at a street fair one year on the 4th of July. Somewhere along the line I gave up all the mice in the collection except this one and my christmas mice. I'm sure you can see why!

A little "Yankee Doodle Dandy" for you!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!

Our freedom is not guaranteed by the Constitution;

the only thing that guarantees freedom, ultimately,

is our own commitment to it.

That commitment must include our capacity

to love each other as human beings,

to remember we are brothers and sisters on this planet,

and to surrender to God any thoughts we have to the contrary.

~Marianne Williamson

Blessings and light!