July 1, 2, 3, 4 2013 Freedom Days

Last few days have been taken up with dissertation research and pastoral meetings.
So we have arrive at the 4th of July,  As a  youth 4th of July was usually celebrated by outdoor grilling.  The menu included hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and of course sausage and peppers. We didn't roast many marshmallows but we had cannoli's in the refrigerator or my mother's  graham cracker and chocolate pudding layered desert.
Water sports were under the sprinkler or at the fire hydrant.,We catgut fire flies, using sparklers to chase on an them . Smoldering punks were lit to ward off the mosquitoes as we sat  in front of the house waiting for the fireworks.  We stated over the tree tops of Mount Hebron Cemetery.  the sky was illuminated by the fireworks that came from "the aquacade" which was a remnant from the 1939 Worlds Fair.  ( Actually the pool we used to go to for the summer).
But to add a serious reflection here is a "poem" i wrote

                                today we celebrate liberty not license.

                      today we celebrate independence not indenturedness
                     Interdependence triumphs over autonomy on this day.

           We celebrate neither soldier or politician but the ideal they swear to uphold
             Freedom used for another is a virtue freedom used only for self is a vice.