Monday, July 4, 2016

Happy Fourth of July









A lot of books have been written that include holidays. Christmas probably tops the list. While I love Christmas stories, I also enjoy books that include America’s (land of the free, home of the brave) independence and patriotism.

While I might not agree with everything that happens in the United States, it’s my home and I love it. I remember how different things were when I was young, and I recall the stories my parents and grandparents told about growing up here. Those memories, and yours, can often be used in a story. There’s nothing wrong with being patriotic.

We’ve been listening to fireworks for four days (five by the time you read this), and it makes me wonder how many people love the fireworks and tend to forget what they represent – what we’re celebrating.

Just me, but I think it’s important to remember why we celebrate the 4th of July. Independence as a country is huge in the grand scheme of things. I support our military, I salute the flag, and I loved Mom’s apple pie. Songs from World War II were often patriotic. There’s one called “Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer” by the Song Spinners that can bring tears to my eyes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZo7TsFIQdw). America, The Beautiful has the same effect.

My husband once bought a sign that he hung in our garage. It said, “A Patriotic American and His Little Miss Liberty Live Here”. I loved it.

The men and women of this country, both military and just plain citizens, have done everything possible to keep us safe and free. Independence comes at a price that equals nothing else.

Save those fireworks for the 4th of July. Let them mean something. Let them remind us of what we’re celebrating – The American Independence Day. Visit a park and sit on the green grass while you watch a fireworks display. Hang up your American flags. Join your neighbors for a barbeque topped with friendship (like we used to do, in the “old days”). Sing the national anthem. Give thanks for what we have.

I’ll end this with a funny story. You’ll have to visualize this one. My daughter has a twelve pound Chiwienie (half Chihuahua and half Dachshund) who’s terrified of certain noises, fireworks being one of them. When she hears the crack or the boom, she literally climbs up my daughters chest, onto her shoulder, and up onto her head. Wish I had a video of it.

I wish you all a safe and fun Fourth of July!

Maybe I should sign this Little Miss Liberty. Nah, these are just some thoughts from Marja the mystery writer (whose characters also believe in patriotism).

Until next time, enjoy life.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw's website
CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com

What were things like in 1909? Try Choosing One Moment - A Time Travel Mystery with character. Not your usual time travel story.

20 comments:

  1. Happy 4th of July, Marja. I share your sentiments about our country, our flag and patriotism. Fireworks are banned in our county because of the fire danger, but we'll be watching them on TV. My heart swells when I hear the "Star Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful" as well as other patriotic songs, but those of us in the older generations seems to have ingrained love of our wonderful country.

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    1. Thank you, Jean! We remember more about what things were like and what they should be again. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  2. Some meaningful thoughts for the holiday, Marja. We would all be better off if we remembered what the Fourth of July stands for.

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    1. I agree, Dorothy. There's so much history behind this holiday, and it's all meaningful. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  3. We all need to be reminded occasionally of the reasons behind all our holidays. Good blog, Marja.

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    1. Thank you, John! I wish you a great Fourth of July. Thank you for commenting!

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    1. Thank you, Pat! Happy Fourth to you, too, and thank you for stopping in!

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  5. You said it all. Thanks for post and Happy 4th of July.

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    1. Thank you, Jake, and the best to your and yours as we celebrate. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  6. Great blog, Marja. Happy Fourth and Happy Summer to you!

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    1. Thank you, Eileen, and the best to you, too. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  7. I think you've said it all, or at least, you've said a lot. I just watched the movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. What a great movie to watch on Independence Day. It says so much about how Washington works, and how it only takes one man to make a difference if he believes in something that's worth fighting for. After all, isn't that what made us independent in the first place? Happy 4th, Marja.

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  8. Great comment, Evelyn! Happy 4th to you, too. Thank you for commenting!

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  9. Some nice thoughts and comments on our Independence Day. Hope you had a good holiday, Marja. While we did not go to fireworks last night (our city's celebration was the previous weekend), I did watch "A Capitol 4th" on PBS. And if you've only been listening to fireworks for five days, consider yourself lucky. They've been setting them off in my neighborhood for a month now (the kind that are not only extremely LOUD, but also illegal within city limits as we are), with this weekend being the worst. We'll probably be hearing them for at least another week or two. :-\

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    1. Oh, Heather, I hope you don't have pets. A month? Now I feel fortunate. Our dogs have been going crazy over the past week, especially the Chiwienie. We decided not to turn on the television Fourth shows because the dogs were already nuts. : ) Thank you so much for commenting, and I hope your fireworks don't last for another week!

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  10. I enjoyed this, Marja, and I'm with you on everything you said. I was somewhat dismayed when I saw a film clip of a man stopping young people and asking, "What are we celebrating on July 4th?" Nine out of ten or so did not have a clue. How sad.

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    1. It breaks my heart, Earl. Someday someone will shout it from the rooftops. I hope those nine will listen. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  11. I believe people just want to light something up and hear it make noise. There is no "patriotic" thought about their actions. Every year the sirens go off as people start fires or get injured. I worry about my roof going up in a blaze from someone's stupidity. I sat in my bedroom with six cowering cats. The worst are the ones that think shooting their gun in the air is a sign of independence.

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    1. All I can say, Sunny, is ditto. Except, replace the six cats with three terrified dogs. The rest of it? Like I said, ditto. Thank you so much for commenting!

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