View Full Version : Happy Independence Day
My favorite holiday. A time for beer and barbecue and celebrate my good luck in being born in this great republic.
Yes, Happy Independence Day! I believe there's no more important secular celebration than the anniversary of the date our founders formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, an event that changed the western world for the better.
I look forward to each July 4th and feel the duty to follow the advice of John Adams to celebrate with "Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
littlebittybobby
7-4-25, 3:20pm
okay----july 4 is $249 for any motor u-pull at the wreckin' yard; trannies are $149. O'corse---there are upcharges and stuff. But yeah, steada that---I wenta Nixa last weekend, and bought a good engine core from an individual, for way less. So, I got that. plus, spent the week on disassembly and inspection. Also, got a fresh .010-010 crank from the guy. I've got parts i can use on that one already, to put 'er back together. Yup. Wenta Aldis on the 3rd ta stock up for the weekend. But, today and until ?????, i will be doing Yard Work!!, since my place is beginning to look like the Darien Gap. Plus, spending time with my petts. Not going anywhere. That's how I celebrate independence. Yup. hope that helps you some.
iris lilies
7-4-25, 3:33pm
I dont know that I am celebrating, but I recognize the importance of the day. DH will participate in our town’s parade to orrow. We have a perfect view of firewoorks from our deck tonight.
I used to like the NPR annual reading of the Declaration of Independence every July 4, but I guess they stopped a couple of years ago because it offended woke sensibilities.
Sadly, I'm not feeling it this year.
It is usually the busiest day of the year for me, as the island is packed with tourists, and the weekend packed with activities. Which causes our peak fire and rescue volume. We had 13 calls yesterday, typically we’d have 4-5.
early morning
7-4-25, 4:52pm
Sadly, I'm not feeling it this year. +1
Cold beer and fake meat brats here. It's a good time to stay at home. Local news showed the hoards of people slowly crawling up the interstate to the mountains in stop and go traffic. It will be a mess.
early morning
7-4-25, 5:12pm
What the f does that mean? Do you think the founding fathers were demi-gods, when slavery was still legal, women could not vote, and Natives were simply there to be slaughtered when more land was wanted? is THAT what MAGA wants to return to? Sure seems like it. What is wrong with discussion about what equality means to us all? And why does not venerating the founding fathers make one unpatriotic, unamerican, and/or "woke"? Isn't there something in the Bible about idolatry? I have a healthy respect for our founders - they were breaking new ground. They hammered out a document for a new type of government that was pretty out-there for its time. But over time, we've revisited their ideas/ideals. We've taken their words, and expanded the rights they laid out with the best efforts of their time and place. And that is a GOOD thing for Americans. The idea that trying to improve the rights of ALL people is "woke" just hurts my head. And my heart. You're quite capable of reading the Declaration. Personally, I'd rather hear a discussion about what equality means to different people. Who, exactly, do YOU want to not be "equal"?
I figure it's sort of like Christmas, which has it's roots in paganism and is more about consumerism than the birth of Christ. There is still enough good in it to get a day off and have a celebration.
I love the story of our country, and one of my favorite musicals is 1776. I loved the book 1776 by David McCullough and I always find it so incredible how normal people picked a side and committed to it. I love the story of Henry Knox walking a bunch of people to Fort Ticonderoga from Boston to get some 60 tons of artillery and cannons and walk them back to Boston in the dead of winter, crossing Lake George. And what did they do when a cannon fell through the ice? Did they just say F** it, it's just one cannon ball? No. They retrieved it. I love how the play Hamilton brings that spirit of the revolutionaries to life.
I also love that my NJ son and 2 grandsons are here to help us celebrate today.
I spent some of this evening restoring the pintle mount on my yacht, so I can quickly mount my .50 Browning M2, in case my application for a Letter Of Marque And Reprisal is issued. Because … ‘Merica!
We hosted my sister, her first husband, and his second wife for a small gathering. It was a quiet, pleasant afternoon with good food and beloved people. We were also celebrating independence for my sister, whose last day of work was 7/3/25!
We hosted my sister, her first husband, and his second wife for a small gathering. It was a quiet, pleasant afternoon with good food and beloved people. We were also celebrating independence for my sister, whose last day of work was 7/3/25!
Congrats to your sister!!!
What the f does that mean? Do you think the founding fathers were demi-gods, when slavery was still legal, women could not vote, and Natives were simply there to be slaughtered when more land was wanted? is THAT what MAGA wants to return to? Sure seems like it. What is wrong with discussion about what equality means to us all? And why does not venerating the founding fathers make one unpatriotic, unamerican, and/or "woke"? Isn't there something in the Bible about idolatry? I have a healthy respect for our founders - they were breaking new ground. They hammered out a document for a new type of government that was pretty out-there for its time. But over time, we've revisited their ideas/ideals. We've taken their words, and expanded the rights they laid out with the best efforts of their time and place. And that is a GOOD thing for Americans. The idea that trying to improve the rights of ALL people is "woke" just hurts my head. And my heart. You're quite capable of reading the Declaration. Personally, I'd rather hear a discussion about what equality means to different people. Who, exactly, do YOU want to not be "equal"?
After decades of readings, NPR decided they were too good for Thomas Jefferson. If that’s not caving to woke sensibilities I don’t know what is. I don’t object to trying to improve upon the achievements of the past. I object to the pinched neopuritanism that demands we sanitize and purge our history. I am in fact more interested in Jefferson’s words than in the opinions of people chosen by NPR who will never match his achievements.
Not a good 4th here in central TX. Not even sure how to get back to CO tomorrow with all the flooded roads.
I read the Declaration myself from the National Archives website. Read part of David McCullough’s John Adams biography. Made hot dogs for myself. It was just nice to have an extra day added to a weekend.
Due to scheduling issues we had to put off our family Independence Day celebrations until tomorrow. Our daughter, both grand boys and several other folks are coming over for a day of sunshine, conversation and togetherness around the pool. Today I'm spending the entire day smoking and monitoring a 7 lb pork shoulder on the pellet grill/smoker which we'll turn into pulled pork and enjoy tomorrow along with grilled hotdogs, various sides and perhaps an adult beverage or two.
Have a good time today, alan. Corn bread? coleslaw? for the pork?
Have a good time today, alan. Corn bread? coleslaw? for the pork?
Not sure, we're providing proteins and guests are bringing sides and preferred drinks. I suspect we'll be overrun with coleslaw and potato salad, but we'll see....
frugal-one
7-5-25, 12:41pm
Not a good 4th here in central TX. Not even sure how to get back to CO tomorrow with all the flooded roads.
OMG! I saw on the news 15 inches of rain fell in 45 minute at NIGHT! Some survived by climbing trees. We were visiting that area a few weeks ago. Totally freaked! Glad to hear you are ok pinkeytoe and wish you a noneventful time getting home!
ToomuchStuff
7-5-25, 8:33pm
Happy 4th from the hospital everybody.
Spent almost the whole week here, board out of my skull but feeling better. spent almost as much time in the hospital in June as out, and all of July so far. Low immune system from chemo and another infection sent me down. Next week I have to deal with multiple government agencies in person, so having to mask up.
Happy 4th from the hospital everybody.
Spent almost the whole week here, board out of my skull but feeling better. spent almost as much time in the hospital in June as out, and all of July so far. Low immune system from chemo and another infection sent me down. Next week I have to deal with multiple government agencies in person, so having to mask up.
Glad to hear you’re feeling better
Wow, I was slightly aware of flooding in TX, but did not realize it was so cataclysmic. Hope you make it home OK, Pinkytoe.
I'm glad you are feeling better too, TMS. Sorry you have spent so much time in the hospital recently.
iris lilies
7-6-25, 8:31am
TMS it is good to hear this report.
happystuff
7-6-25, 12:20pm
Feel better, tms!
Yikes on the flooding! I didn't hear too much about it.
Feel better, tms!
Yikes on the flooding! I didn't hear too much about it.
Now almost 70 people dead. A lot still missing.
Now almost 70 people dead. A lot still missing.
Wedding this weekend, so hadn't seen anything. Sending prayers to all.
We're finally getting a good soaking rain here right now. Cooler, too. It was 80 when I left church about 1. Now it's down to 73 at 4:15. We need the rain badly. Today I'm just begin a veg.
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