Independence Day - July 4th...the 250th Celebration

 "We hold these truths to be self-evident..."

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the final wording and adopted the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson. However, it was July 2, 1776 when the Continental Congress declared its freedom from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence would not be fully signed by all of the Founding Fathers until August of 1776. 

So July 4th has always been recognized as the official anniversary/birthdate of the United States of America.

We're still youngsters compared to the rest of the world. Set aside politics; celebrate safely and proudly. And if you must enjoy the fireworks, please make certain your pets are safely inside with music or the television turned up to help stifle the noise. It is frightening for them. 

Happy 250th. 

More to the Playlist

 The following songs remind me of summers past. One hit the charts early in my college years, while another was released as I neared the end of my university years. They bring back memories of people, the University Center, an old beat up hand-me-down car, and a new stick-shift (manual transmission) I bought myself. I learned to drive it after I bought it! 

The other songs came much later, and I've no idea the time of year they were released, but they remind me of good times during the summer. The 4th of July holiday, the beach (particularly Hilton Head or Kiawah Island, S.C.), fresh produce stands on the side of the road...watermelon, peaches, corn on the cob, tomatoes. 

Adding to a very long playlist of great songs...

Youtube shares: 

The Motels - Suddenly Last Summer

Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes

Sade - By Your Side

Dido- Thank You

Dido - White Flag 

Man's Best Friend Could Do Without All the Fireworks

July 3rd marks the sixth birthday for my best canine friend.  If you believe Merriam-Webster, she has finally hit middle age.  Maybe that's why the fear of sudden and loud noises seems greater this year than in the past.  In addition to crawling under any piece of furniture that will support her golden retriever's frame (something she has always done), a new sign of stress for her seems to be excessive panting and drooling during these times.  Other noises will cause panic, too, such as thunder and loud trucks, and when we had our roof replaced, she spent the entire time in her crate (a place she feels safe). It's the July 4th celebrations, however, that do the most damage.

Our sweet dog has always been afraid of the fireworks associated with the July 4th holiday...going into sheer panic and running aimlessly and wildly throughout the house.  We call it bouncing off the walls and sometimes it literally takes a wall to stop her.  She's terrified and I'm terrified of her ever getting out of the house during these times.  Too often our pets get lost this way because they take off when hearing these sounds and there are no walls to stop them. 

I'm certainly no Fourth of July Scrooge, as I love to see fireworks to celebrate the holiday.  It is symbolic, after all.  However, I could do without some of the pre and post celebratory bangs.  When you hear loud booms from dusk throughout the night, everyday, for about two weeks prior to the big event, well, that's a bit much.  Add a week or two of winding down and our pets could use a prescription for Xanax.  We might need it, too, simply for dealing with them.  Of course, the normal concerns arise, such as fireworks legality (depending on where you live), fire, safety (kids can get hurt, after all). Yet, the celebrations continue for weeks.  Maybe I'm just getting old.  According to Merriam-Webster, I've been there awhile.

So, have a safe July 4th holiday, everyone.  Take care of your pets, keep them as calm as possible.  I have a feeling my girl will be secured in her crate for the evening.  If she could understand me, I'd tell her we were all just celebrating her birthday.  If she could talk, she'd just say a new can of tennis balls would suffice.

It Isn't Called Plymouth Boulder

Parade along the Freedom Trail

Summer has arrived, even though the weather contradicts this for some of us, and holiday vacation plans are in full swing. In a month, those of us in the US will find ways to celebrate this nation's Independence Day.  The week surrounding the July 4th holiday will see people traveling to beaches, the mountains or across town to be with family.  Some remain home to enjoy cookouts and fireworks with friends.

I've enjoyed and celebrated this time in many locations over the years.  Looking back, I think one of the best places to spend July 4th is in the city of Boston.  Where else to honor and celebrate our nation's history than in the city where patriotism began?  Find yourself along the Freedom Trail on that day and you become part of the reenactments, mingling with and watching costumed actors recreate parades and the excitement of the period.  At the Old State House, you can hear the Declaration of Independence read from the balcony, something that was done for the public for the first time at this same location on July 18, 1776.

Marker for Paul Revere's gravesite

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile walk that features sixteen historically significant sites to see.  Some include Faneuil Hall, Boston Common (America's oldest public park), Granary Burying Ground (Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Benjamin Franklin's parents are buried here) and King's Chapel.  The site of the Boston Massacre is marked along the trail, along with Paul Revere's house (which is open for tours), Old North Church (remember the "One if by land, two if by sea" significance, with the two lamps actually proclaiming the start of the American Revolution), the Bunker Hill Monument and the USS Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812.  Finish the day by enjoying the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Celebration at the Charles River Esplanade.  My family and I enjoyed all of this several years ago, yet thunderstorms prevented us from celebrating the fireworks show outdoors that year. It was the only downside of the day. 

Plymouth Rock

Of course, Boston has much more to offer and it's within easy driving distance to other historical areas, which really brings me to the title of this post.  Plymouth, Massachusetts is approximately 40 miles south of Boston and is the home of a symbolic piece of American history.  Plymouth Rock is viewed as the point where the Mayflower Pilgrims first stepped ashore in 1620.  Seeing it was special but I admit to having a "that's it?" moment.  The rock and its meaning serve as a foundation for this country's history. Anticipation of seeing something so great and significant perhaps hurt the fact that the actual size of the rock didn't measure up to the legend behind it.  I was expecting a boulder, but it was actually a large rock.  In all fairness, it supposedly was a boulder at the time.  According to Wikipedia: "During the rock's many journeys throughout the town of Plymouth, numerous pieces of the rock were taken, bought and sold. It is estimated that the original rock weighed 20,000 lbs." That, the tide and the fact the rock had been split in half at one time significantly reduced the size.  It's still worth the visit to see this piece of history.  Just remember the significance behind it.

Salem, Massachusetts

We took time to drive the entire New England area on that trip, including a stop in Salem, MA, a little over twenty miles north of Boston.  With the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 the theme of the town, of course we had to visit the Salem Witch Museum.  "The House of the Seven Gables" is also in Salem and open for tours. It's credited with inspiring Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel of the same name.  Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard are also stunning areas to see.  Our route for the rest of New England took us through Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont (I highly recommend the quaint town of Woodstock, Vermont), Connecticut and Rhode Island (there aren't many who can resist Newport, RI and touring those "cottages").  New England is such a beautiful area of the country.  I'd like to visit again in the fall, a time of year I've never been.

Even though I sound as if I'm working for the Boston Tourism office (I'm not), if you're looking for a place to go next month, or even next year at this time, consider this great city.  Better yet, check the Boston tourism site and www.thefreedomtrail.org for a schedule of events.  It truly is one of America's greatest cities and you'll certainly feel the patriotism on such a patriotic holiday.