American Dream

"There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right.
It is the American dream."

Archibald MacLeish, American poet and writer

It's the dream of every little American boy to be at a potluck with your grandma and grandpa instead of your parents.

This little guy - with a great 4th-of-July name Justice - was at the Elm Mills Independence Day celebration Saturday night.

At the all-American potluck with food packed on three huge tables, he was free to choose a chocolate cupcake loaded with royal blue icing and complete with a miniature, spinning pinwheel.

Of course, there were lots of people at the lake who were free to set off firecrackers and booming devices, forcing Justice to cover his poor little ears with the cupcake on one ear and a blue-tinged finger in the other.

It was so much fun to watch this guy as he passed our table. And it was even more fun to see his grandma's reaction as he rejoined them at their picnic table, and she got her first look at Justice in all his cupcake glory.

I imagine they are still trying to remove the remnants of a hefty amount of food coloring hue from his face. It gave a whole new meaning of "grinning from ear to ear." We were grinning because he didn't belong to us (though I would have gladly claimed this little cutey any day - even covered in blue!).

The Elm Mills celebration really was a slice of Americana. There were flags hoisted along the fishing docks.

There were red, white and blue-festooned golf carts and bicycles.


There were patriotic decorations flying from tree branches and hooked along benches.



It was a celebration of family.




Nature provided its own beautiful scenery ...


... before a big fireworks display provided its shares of oohs, ahhs and applause.

Star-spangled happiness
and banner waves of pride.
~Cherishe Archer

It is the love of country that has lighted and that keeps glowing the holy fire of patriotism.
~J. Horace McFarland

Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
~George M. Cohan

Happy 234th birthday, America!