Home for Fourth of July

by on July 5, 2026 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Diaries

It’s technically the 5th, but I’m home again from spending time with family over the Fourth of July. Saw plenty of nice American flags, a lot of family, and some amazing fireworks. Now I’m home, after having left early in the morning to beat the afternoon traffic through the Twin Cities. Reading an interactive AI novel on audio settings so I could talk to it the whole way. That kept my brain active so I didn’t have to stop more than a couple times for food, fuel, and bathroom breaks. It was a good drive, and even the road construction didn’t slow me down as much as it did on the way up. I’m happy to be home.

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Happy Fourth of July

by on July 4, 2026 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Diaries

Happy Fourth of July Two Hundred Fifty. Not many nations make it this long. Fewer make it much longer. Rome did it in some fashion, though the Roman Republic disappeared into the Roman Empire which made it another thousand years. China as a system lasted longer, but each Dynasty was basically a new government and new nation. The British Empire has lasted for significantly longer in some form or another, but once again it has gone through many changes. America is the oldest Republic. We have the oldest Constitution still in effect. The men who created us had a number of firsts, and that is why we call it the Shot Heard Round the World.

America did something different back then. Even before we used the name America. We were the United States. Columbia, in informal terms. That is why our old nation state lady was Columbia, not the much later Uncle Sam or Lady Liberty. We were Columbia, forging a new way for people to live. A new identity as a people and a nation. Not a realm. No kings. We did it in a way others did not. And because of that, we have existed for two hundred fifty years and helped to drive the world into a new golden age of prosperity.

Rejoice in two hundred fifty years of Columbia, Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, and America. The Free. The Brave.

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Fourth of July

by on July 3, 2026 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Diaries

I’m celebrating Fourth of July with family right now.

Fourth of July 250. It is the first time I have seen some of the family in many years. Some only four years ago when Mom died. Some when my uncle died eleven years ago. Some much longer than that. We see each other on facebook and other social media every day, but that’s not really the same.

Something that was awesome along the way? I drove through a lot of small town Minnesota to get here, and I loved seeing the rows and rows of American flags. The construction equipment with flags the size of houses hanging from them. It was all so amazing. One gets so used to seeing so many people hating on America in the news, on TV, or on social media. Getting out of the big city and touching the grass of normal America is just so… perfect.

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Two Hundred Fifty Years Ago

by on July 2, 2026 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Diaries

Two hundred fifty years ago today, brave men pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to pursue the creation of a better world. At first they just wanted to talk King George into letting the colonists live free. When that proved impossible, they chose to fight for independence. Some lost their liberty. Others lost their fortunes. Some their lives. Some died penniless. They thought people would remember July 2nd forever and celebrate it. It is ironic that we remember July 4th instead. Never forget what those brave men did to change and create the world we live in today.

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Supreme Court

by on July 1, 2026 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Diaries

The Supreme Court put out some major rulings over the last week. Some of them were major victories for the Republic. Some of them were major losses for the Republic. Some will make defending the Republic easier. Some may make it impossible to defend the Republic. Time will tell.

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