Happy Fourth of July to all!
When we got our flag out, it suddenly occurred to me that I am, somewhat, living in reality what my characters lived in my Valentine stories. If any of you have read my novels, you might remember Valentine was ‘flag town USA’, and everyone flew their flags proudly and said the pledge of allegiance at ball games and rodeos.
The official pledge of allegiance of the United States,
as it has been since 1954.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.
The pole we have for our flag has a plastic cylinder that supposedly helps the flag not to tangle itself, however it never did work right. Then I went and broke all the plastic clips when I was attempting to put out the flag a few weeks ago.
Ah, but dear Fixitman took a thoughtful long look at the setup, went to Lowes (where veterans get a discount!) spent time in the plumbing department of all places, and came back with the answer. He used some sort of plumbing clamps, and the flag flies better than ever. 
That’s what America is all about. It was begun and has continued by men and women with imagination and ingenuity and fearlessness about rolling up their sleeves and going to work. I pray it always be so.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of liberty must undergo the fatigues of supporting it. ~ Thomas Paine.
Curtiss Ann Matlock 
7 responses to “Hoorah for the Red, White, and Blue!”
Wonderful, CurtissAnn!!
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On Sunday morning, this 4th of July weekend, while attending Mass in a tiny, packed, country church, I was overcome with emotion while singing the final hymn, America the Beautiful. While others filed out, I had to stay a moment and compose myself. I was kneeling at my pew praying for our country’s needs, when I felt a warm hand on my arm and looked up to see a lovely woman–a complete stranger– who had noticed me tearing up and had come over to commiserate.
“I know just how you feel, honey,” she said as she patted my arm. “We are the same, you and me. I just wanted you to know, I can’t help it, either.” Her eyes were shiney with tears, but she was smiling.
A Kindred Spirit! I knew just what she meant; perhaps our love over-flowed the boundaries of decorum a tiny bit, but for us, there was just no holding back that deapth of feeling for our precious homeland. Can you get through a patriotic hymn without choking up? I simply can’t!
I pray you all had a blessed 4th. Lilly
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I am in prayer for our country’s needs, too. It is good to know of others. And why should be not get as emotional over the wonder of our country as many a woman would over a pretty dress on sale? blessings, CurtissAnn http://curtissannmatlock.com https://curtissannmatlock.wordpress.com It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy. ~Lucille Ball
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I’ve always celebrated the 4th by flying the flag; my dad made sure I understood what it stood for. Now I treat every day like the 4th and fly that flag 24/7/365; Osama Bin Laden made sure I understood that freedom was to be celebrated every day, not just once a year.
As I age, I’m celebrating differently, too. It used to be about cookouts, drinking, and partying. Now it’s about taking time to be thankful, staying cool, and resting!
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Amen, sister! You are so fortunate that your father taught you well. When I think of such patriotism, I think of my father-in-law, who carried WWII shrapnel the rest of his life. He waited until the true Veteran’s Day to die. I trust you had a wonderful 4th! Sending love, CA
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My flag is out already, has been for hours. The sun is shining and promising a very hot day again. Our plans are to stay indoors and have our picnic around the table. The older I get, the fireworks and the PBS Independence Day concert is my way of celebrating. Truly, during my morning devotions, I celebrate that I live in a country that makes it possible to fly my flag, to make me proud to live in America.
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You say it all succinctly, Judy! Funny, but when younger, I never gave much thought to patriotism, to my blessings courtesy of this country, to flying a flag. All is precious to me now. I have learned by hard experience. We will be joining friends in the heat for a picnic, but it is on a deck with a lot of fans blowing! hugs, CA
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