Posted on 07/04/2009 11:49:22 PM PDT by Gribbit
On July 4, 1776, the people of the British Colonies in America declared to the British Monarch that we no longer recognize his authority over us. We declared that we are all endowed by Our Creator with certain unalienable rights among them, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. This is what we celebrate on July 4th of each year.
(Excerpt) Read more at thepoliticalcritic.com ...
I did not “celebrate” today.
I went off in the woods to a secluded crick, waded in the water, took a lot of time to watch the crawdads, skippers and minnies closely, gathered up some interesting river rocks and pulled a leech off my finger.
Why?
Because that is how I spent my youth, when the country was free and I was carefree.
No matter what comes next, at least I got to spend a few hours living life as I used to.
The overwhelming feeling of peace and reconnection is indescribable.
It was as if this nightmare had never happened.
Nature takes no note of the anguished affairs of humankind.
Had hubby not started the truck as a subtle “let’s go” sign, I would have never left that vernal oubliette.
Next year, I expect the memory of today to be a requiem.
If there were sheer shale and limestone cliffs with caves on the other side, it would be just like that.
The place I went to is quite hidden and almost unknown, except to old time locals.
You can wade across it, in most places.
I wish you’d been there with me.
You would have understood, with no words necessary.
I used to play in a place that looked similar to that...the water was a little wilder, but boy, does THAT bring back wonderful memories....
*So* many for me.
Just past that C&O Canal aqueduct, you can see what looks like the end of the crick.
It is not...it is an island in the stream and the cricks splits in two to go ‘round it.
We’d take jon boats full of kin and picnic on the island.
My most perfect memory is the year we got there after a *massive* frog hatching.
The whole island was literally covered with frog babies the size of your finger nail.
All the kids had a ball catching and petting them.
When it was time to spread blankets and eat, we had to keep shooing them away to get a clear spot to sit but as we sat there eating fried chicken and coleslaw, sure enough, tiny frogs would hop into your lap or onto your legs.
Bizarre as that sounds, it was almost magical.
OK you two.......you’re making me homesick, for a place I can NOT go back to......
My place looks like those, but I can go there more easily through this gateway - in two parts.
It may take a few moments, but I assure you it’s worth the trip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYFEq80AwzU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AaNJNLYE6I&feature=related
The composer explains, thusly:
Widespread they stand, the Northland’s dusky forests,
Ancient, mysterious, brooding savage dreams;
Within them dwells the Forest’s mighty God,
And wood-sprites in the gloom weave magic secrets.
A very fine place, indeed.
Go back any way.
Do you know the warm progress under the stars?
Do you know we exist?
Have you forgotten the keys to the Kingdom?
Have you been borne yet & are you alive?
Let’s reinvent the gods, all the myths of the ages
Celebrate symbols from deep elder forests
Thanks for the ping!
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