Hello.

 

Hi, I'm Annie.

Mother of 3,
spouse to G,
writer of things,
former batgirl,
sister,
daughter,
lucky friend,
and American
living in Australia.

Basic Joy = my attempt to document all of this life stuff, stubbornly looking for the joy in dailiness. 

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Mama, Ph.D.: Women Write About Motherhood and Academic LifeMountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the WorldThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the PieThe Island: A NovelThe PassageSecret Spaces of Childhood

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Thursday
Jul052012

Self Evident and Unalienable

It rained last night and poured this morning so we started revising our 4th of July plans to indoors. Then, after the ward pancake breakfast, the skies cleared and the sun presided over the midday town picnic in the park. 

Humid cotton candy, oompa bands, bluegrass combos, a League of Women Voters used jewelry sale, hot dog stands, hula hoopers, Lizzie the Clown, neighbors and townfolk swathed in patriotic colors--all just a mile or so from the place where the revolution was started, culminating in these words drafted 236 years ago today:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...and for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutally pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.*

What could be more patriotic than registering to vote for the first time?

 Uncle Sam wants YOU

Betsy Ross and the port-a-potties

Synchronized cotton candy 

God Bless America, land that I love. 

. . .

 *Listen to the entire Declaration of Independence here read beautifully by NPR reporters, commentators, and hosts.  

We also started out our day watching three of our favorite National Anthem performances: 

Whitney Houston
5 young talented girls
and the Dixie Chicks.

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Reader Comments (2)

Looks like a very fun day with your kiddos! I love that you got a picture of Lauren registering to vote. Happy 4th!

07.5.2012 | Unregistered CommenterLiz

How wonderful you had an old-fashioned 4th. We remember going with you to that park festival several years ago. Perfect.

07.7.2012 | Unregistered CommenterCarolyn

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