“O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountains majesty above the fruited plain! …O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!”
I love that anthem! I must have been singing it all weekend because Susanna has been singing it all day today. Mostly just the tune, but I’m sure the words will creep in little by little. I started trying to explain to her the freedoms we celebrate on this beautiful summer holiday, but I didn’t get very far before I gave up. Luckily, we’ll have many more fourths to discuss it).
This year, aside from reading about Lewis and Clark’s expedition west (in Undaunted Courage), we went to a traditional Fourth of July barbecue. It was fantastic thanks to our foodie friends and their decision to brine the chicken (not to mention their patience with the goat in their backyard who provided the cheese). We also went for a few bike rides, notable among them was Andrew’s first ride in the trailer, well documented above. Andrew tolerated it pretty well, and Susanna was ecstatic about it. She wiggled and squealed the entire time, and in one moment of ecstasy yelled “Look! We’re all connected! well, most of us.” (I was the one not connected)
You’ll notice we’re wearing jackets; in true Seattle form, summer started yesterday. We plan to be at the beach all week; hope to see you there.
