14 Comments
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David Martineau's avatar

A Happy Independence Day to all! Hopefully, everyone stays cool, even without A/C! I'm very grateful for mine, but hopefully the heat will break soon...

Debra Esolen's avatar

From your keyboard to God's ear, David! Yep, it's a hot 4th for the 250th!

Christopher R Nugent's avatar

Happy 4th of July dear Esolens!

Debra Esolen's avatar

Thank you, Christopher. It's ALMOST too hot to celebrate, but we are glad to be witnesses t the 250th. God Bless America!

Christopher R Nugent's avatar

I hear it was pretty hot in Pennsylvania 250 years ago. No ACs then either!

Debra Esolen's avatar

I spent the summer of the Great Heat Wave of 1980 in Austin, TX. I think that something like 1700 people died in that miserable swampy weather. We have not so much to complain about by comparison. But I do much better in -10 -- with a heated house than I do in high 90's and muggy with no AC. We usually don't hit 90 here. :)

Just looked up that heat wave. Oy! https://www.weatherforecastnow.com/news/article/the-1980-heat-wave-42-days-above-100-degrees-1700-dead-and-a-country-unprepared#google_vignette

Anne Mallampalli's avatar

God Bless America, indeed! As always, love your backstory. Feeling doubly blest, having waited a week for today’s offering. Don Ho and Tiny Bubbles has been a constant ear worm. And I hadn’t heard or considered that song in decades! Thank you! 🇺🇸

Debra Esolen's avatar

Anne, your comment made my day! Ha! The "Tiny Bubbles" just came to me -- a funny childhood memory of "songs that were in the air." I did struggle for a bit on today's choice, but I decided that this was THE song we needed. And I do so love Irving Berlin!

Nan G's avatar

Have a joyous & blessed Independence Day!

Debra Esolen's avatar

Thank you, Nan! Jessica and I were outside in the ridiculous heat yesterday putting up our flag and bunting. We are celebrating those 250 years!

Tom Stetz's avatar

What a voice, what a song. I never realized that you could pledge allegiance and do the fox trot too.

Imagine what it must have been like to live back then, instead of just being born then.

Debra Esolen's avatar

Tom, my early childhood memories include often hearing Kate Smith perform this song on television shows. I had no idea who she was but for that song! Then patriotism went out of fashion -- along with gratitude. Alas. We are bringing it BACK here!

Adrian Gaty's avatar

Happy Fourth of July!!

Debra Esolen's avatar

Or as they used to call it, "The Glorious Fourth!" and "Independence Day!" Right back at you!