It
might not be a work of photographic art or even a snapshot worth saving, but it
portrays what I witnessed and it is what my Blackberry recorded as I sat in my backyard sipping
Benedictine just after nightfall last year on the Fourth
of July -- on Independence Day. It was a pleasant way to spend an evening, hearing and seeing
fireworks dominating an otherwise quiet neighborhood while thinking about life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the United States of America. My assumption is that tonight will be much the same for me. Since this year, once again, I will be toasting independence and freedom by myself, and since the Wild West, perhaps, is among the paramount symbols of Americana, I am including a "cowboy rendition" of "Unchained Melody" as a musical offering. By the way, the title of this post came from the words of Robert Heinlein, one of my favorite writers of science fiction novels and short stories. Those words are carved into my psyche. To complete the Heinlein thought/quote: "I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do."
12 comments:
Much wisdom in this post Fram!I am free!Sometimes I really feel that freedom comes (for me)freedom with responsibility.That means I can do what I want ..but dont do it because ..and because..Nice firecracks you took from your blackbeeery!Its how you did see it and really most of us.Fotoes today are beeing makeuped so beautiful that that they even dont excist in the reality.So I like it :)I wish you a great 4 of July!My thoughts goes to all those soldiers in your country which were figthing for peace now and then.
So where you at those 3 weeks?New lovelight in your life?Or vacation?Or a little drunk may be?teasing! haha hah
okey.Here summer still goes on with our 20-25 degrees.Little bit boring --miss the rain!See you soon friend!Now i will look at you music which surely is good as well as the photo and the writing :)
Freedom and independence are complex issues, I think, especially in the sense that too many people do not recognize (or accept) the responsibilities and obligations which are attached to them. Then, too, the U.S. is becoming more and more a nation of dependency, which creates a divide between those who wish to live free and those who want the government to care for them from cradle to grave. But, that is another topic.
Yes, photography now frequently is too much computer manipulation and too little skill with a camera, in my opinion. But, before there were computers there was darkroom manipulation of photographs, so I suppose it simply comes down to the influence of the inevitable progression of technology.
What was I doing? Everything and nothing. How is that for a mysterious answer? (Mostly work, Anita.)
There has been record rainfall here, which has created flooding. It has not been a pleasant winter, spring or summer in terms of the weather in this part of the world.
Thank you, Anita, for your presence and your words.
Well.Fram.I do not like when you are weeks away.Iam glad to hear all is good.I think life itself has to many attach to us.We are never really free.But then again do i want to be free?what am i without people and social life? Iam nothing.
i have just finished a book by Laurent Gaude,Eldorado, yesterday night.Its about Sicilia and Lampedusa and a ll the fugetees from africa which are coming across the sea to europa.So much lifes !Just to be left on the sea for the coast guards to get them.Or be left to death.Which they have paid for themselves with coins of blood.AVery sad book..They the main chachacters all die in the end..So we here in rich countries can tell what a sad storie..because we are rich and live a fat life and do not see what poorness can do to a man..Well.this was out of the record.
I hope you will have a good weekend!
Greetings Anita
I was familiar with neither the author nor the book, Anita, and I had to do a bit of research.
I agree. The events he writes about and you read about are tragic and sad in many respects, but the story is older than recorded history. Waves of migration have forever been part of existence as men and women search for better lives for themselves and for their children. You might be aware such an exodus is taking place from Central American countries into the United States at this very moment. Thousands of children are being sent north, often unaccompanied by reliable adults. It has always been that way, and it never will be any different.
Incidentally, while the situation largely goes ignored, I still maintain overpopulation is the greatest threat to the survival of humankind.
As for being independent and free, everything comes at a cost. Life is a question of priorities and, for instance, most people put safety and security ahead of independence and freedom. And, priorities often change at different stages of our lives.
Anyway, Anita, I hope your weekend will be good to you, too ....
The quality of the photo is completely irrelevant, it's the feeling that counts. I loved your post, from the title (share the sentiment) to the content.
Happy Independence Day! :-)
Greetings from London.
Independence Day, like most holidays, has lost much of its original and traditional meaning for most people, I think. It probably did for me, too, for a number of years, but, being a student and a lover of history, recognition of the blood, sweat and tears which went into the creation of this country seems to have circled back so that I am aware of them and appreciate them once again.
Thank you, CiL, for your visit here and for your kind comment. I hope freedom and independence will always be with us.
Grandes post como siempre amgigo y que hayas pasado un buen dia de la Independencia.
Tony Bennet is indeed one hundred and fifty-three years old. :-)
And re that misanthrope club, do they accept occasional members? I don't want to commit to it full time. :-)
Greetings from London.
Thank you, Boris, for your visit to my blog and your kind words about my post.
Yes, Independence Day is a very important day and a perfect time for we who make this land our home to review the events which have transpired since the founding of this country and to remind ourselves of the lessons of history. I, personally, think the United States is in a period of decline due to failed leadership, but it continues to be among the best and the safest places in the world to live.
Yes, Tony Bennett must be at least that old, and it is beginning to show in the quality of his voice. But, he deserves credit for continuing to mount the stage and giving his performance his best effort. Never say die ....
I believe there are associate memberships available for the Bitter Bierce Society of Misanthropic Messengers, but you probably would have to attend a certain number of annual conventions during each decade and publish at least one sarcastic/sardonic/satirical post or column each year to maintain voting privileges.
Thank you, CiL, for traveling to my blog once again and for leaving a comment.
Voila!!Here you are!!!
i thought you took a GRETA GARBO style.."I just wanne be alone..."
So what we are intersted in what you will do this year summer holidays?
Have you written anything?Poems ?stories?Hows the house going?
wish you a peaceful weekend dear friend..greetings from sunny Norway:)
Actually, I often keep a low profile, Anita, and I prefer to occupy the background, to remain in the shadows. I much rather would be the playwright orchestrating the scenes than the player performing on the stage.
In answer to your questions, I have no plans for anything at the moment. I am writing nothing, but reading much. Other than some painting and other minor projects which can be put off and put off and put off, there is no more work I want to have done with this house at the present time. (Other than, maybe, sell it .... we shall see.)
The weather has been too dominant a factor for everyone living in this region this year. There was the winter that never ends, as many people here refer to the past winter. (Possibly, it even was Fimbulwinter. Again, we shall see.) Now, there is endless rain and storms and flooding. Outdoor activity has been curtailed much of the time.
Anyway, thank you, Anita, for your return to visit me, and I wish you a pleasant week, too.
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