Independence Day, 2020!

Long may our flag wave -

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about “independence” and what it truly means to be an American.

Watching things unfold over the past few months – I have really felt more hurt, confusion, fear, disgust, anger, sadness, hopelessness over our current situation than I have ever felt in my entire life.

WHY?  Because that is all that the news channels promote. 

I believe the American spirit – the fearlessness, pride, happiness, hopefulness – all of the positive opposites of the things I first listed above are still present in this country.

But I also believe if we constantly seek out the worst stories amongst us – that is exactly what we will find.

We need to focus on the POSITIVES.  To celebrate all of those freedoms that we still enjoy.  To feel proud of our nation and our communities for things that ARE going right.

The other evening we social distanced on the deck with some friends who brought their drone for some photo fun.  Trevor at the controls!

The Hubster at the Blackstone for another round of Japanese hibachi -

Filet mignon, shrimp, broccoli, fried rice – topped off with a salad, way too much food really – but what fun!

We spend as much time out here as we can.

LED Edison style porch lights can be found in the Quiltville Amazon Affiliate Store in the On the Porch category – along with the blue fire pit rocks you asked about yesterday:

And the rocks come in other colors too!

The Blackstone grill is also found on Amazon (same category) while the fire pit came from Lowes. 

Dusk falling -

I had let myself become upset that the cashier at Walmart was wearing her mask under her chin, and when I asked about it told me “There is no pandemic, and these things don’t protect you anyway…..” which sent my heart in a tailspin over the sheer hopelessness of this situation again.

North Carolina is listed as one of the states where numbers are rising significantly.

I had ALLOWED her response to make me feel that hopelessness, and had to talk myself back out of it.

Search for the positive stories – even in the midst of so much unrest.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.”

The cry of “Last I heard, this is a free country!” does not apply when your own actions cause harm to other people. 

And therein lies the problem. Rights and privileges come with consequences and responsibilities.

And all of these thoughts are lost on Lola -

Who just wants her belly tickled.

The masks I sent off this week have arrived that their destinations.  I told the folks that there were sanitized hugs and kisses included in each package as well and I hoped they could feel them.

As soon as Kelly lets me know what adjustments I need to make for his masks to fit over his N95s I’ll get those done.

It’s not what I thought I’d be doing over 4th of July weekend, but – with all of the freedoms we enjoy comes the happiness of being able to do something that helps someone else down the road.

Our 4th will be a quiet day – in fact, I’m going to be taking the rest of the weekend off-grid.

There will be no blog post tomorrow, July 5th. 

I’m making this a REAL holiday weekend and just enjoying the peace the mountains bring – and doing whatever my own freedoms allow me, while still respecting everyone else’s right to live happily as they see fit.

I’ll be wearing my mask should I be out in public.

I hope you will too.

This portrait is made with the pics of all the doctors and nurses who passed away in this pandemic so far.

Will we continue to add more because we won’t do our part to slow this disease?

I can’t talk about my own rights and freedoms without thinking of what impact my choices have on their lives and the lives of their families and loved ones.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Happy Independence Day, USA -

However you spend your day in celebration, remember to reflect on those who gave so much that we may live with "Liberty and Justice for ALL."

Do what is right and wear a mask while out in public!

It's a small sacrifice to protect others’ rights to the same freedoms you claim as your own.

I’ll see you back here on Monday -