It has been a patriotic day, as is fitting for July 4.
We marched in an Independence Day parade. (Photo credit Kara Lee) (click to enlarge)
I shook hands with our congressional representative, and followed up later with a letter. We didn't have time to exchange more than brief platitudes, but I overheard him saying, "I'd rather lose my Congressional seat than lose our Republic." I have no idea what was the context of that statement, but I appreciate the sentiment of sacrifice for the common good.
We supported a local business, and our underserved pollinator population.
We ate hamburgers, and watermelon. That's pretty all-American.
We exercised our American right not to set off fireworks. Unfortunately, there is no American right not to listen to other people's fireworks, on this or any other day, but I anticipate being able to sleep through them anyway. Marching in the midday Florida sun, hefting heavy cymbols, and frequently running from one end of the band to the other is a pretty good sleep aid.
We hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day, even (maybe especially) our expat population.
