The Glorious Fourth
One of my favorite passages from 1776
(Abigail)
Compliments of the Concord Ladies Coffee Club,
And the Sisterhood of the Truro Synagogue,
And the Friday Evening Baptist Sewing Circle,
And the Holy Christian Sisters of Saint Claire
All for you, John,
I am as I ever was and ever shall be,
Yours, yours, yours!
(John)
Abigail, what's in these kegs?
(Abigail)
Saltpeter, John!
When all hope seems lost, and John Adams has failed up to now to secure the unanimous votes the advocates of independence need to pass the resolution through the Continental Congress, he receives a shipment of kegs of saltpeter, an element used in gun powered, which the Colonial forces were in need of, so he has asked his wife Abigail to gather the ladies to make saltpeter.
When all hope seems lost, this gift from his wife arrives, re-energizing his energy for the cause.
This passage is hope restored, love between husband and wife, and women of varying backgrounds and beliefs uniting in a common cause--the fight for independence. It always brings a tear to my eye.
This has been the first Fourth of July since the move to Virginia that we've had at home. It's our fourth Fourth. The first one, I'd just joined George. We had family here, and we watched 1776. The next two years I worked the open house at the theater, showing people how in need of repair the building is. Last year, the Fourth was on a Sunday, and the Board opted not to do the open house again. With no work commitment, Geo and I spent the weekend in Ohio.
This year, the building is under renovation, so no open house. No trip to Ohio, so we've had the day to ourselves. Last night was a party at SPNGeekFriend's townhouse. Today we went to the Culpeper County museum and the car show downtown. Izhi called and we had a nice chat. Then I took a hard nap. The weather has been overcast, hazy, and muggy, so very much hard nap weather today.
A happy day to all. And if I have any Canadian f-listies (I don't think I do, do I?), a belated Happy Canada Day as well.
And of course a Glorious Fourth to my fellow Americans.