Happy Independence Day!
A (Very) Little History Lesson
Most Americans are aware of why we celebrate the 4th day of July every summer. But, if you were sick that day in US History, I’ll drop the mini-lesson on you. Back in 1776, our infant country consisting of just 13 colonies declared its independence from England. The Continental Congress voted on the Declaration on July 2nd and then formally adopted the document on the 4th. And, patriotic Americans have been gratefully celebrating that day ever since!
Did you know this crazy 4th of July fact? Fifty years after the first Independence Day, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died. In fact, James Monroe (5th US President) died on July 4th, 1831.
I love some of the words from Daniel Webster’s eulogy for Jefferson and Adams: “No two men now live … who, more than those we now commemorate, have … given a more lasting direction to the current of human thought. Their work doth not perish with them.” (Thanks to the George Washington FB page.)
How Americans ‘Do’ the 4th of July
- 2/3 of us barbecue/picnic
- 1/2 of us wear patriotic garb
- Almost 1/2 of us will watch the fireworks
- A little over 1/10 of us will go to a parade (really?!)
- Many of us travel for the holiday 🙂
Kitsap County, Washington 4th of July, 2018
For our last year and last time, we watched the fireworks from our deck overlooking Liberty Bay in Poulsbo, Washington on the traditional 3rd of July. Of course, there were sparklers in the yard and many extremely loud neighborhood fireworks. There was a parade in downtown Kingston on the 4th and fireworks on their waterfront that night.
Central Texas 4th of July, 2019
- Belton Street Fair and Concert June 29th
- 4th of July Parade at 10 a.m. Belton
- Temple Fireworks tonight
- Neighbor Street Parties & Barbecues
- Swimming in the Rowland Pool
Two Holiday Recipes for You!
- Quiet Hollow Potato Salad: Red Potatoes (for the 4th), Onion, Mustard and Mayo are the basics for this Independence Day standard.
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: Pork Butt, Bottled BBQ Sauce, a quick rub, low and slow.
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 ESV
Finding a new purpose in living and joy in the day-to-day was the goal when author Kathy Rowland and her entire family (adult kids and grandkids) moved from the PNW to Texas several years ago. The focus of Quiet Hollow is to encourage ‘next chapter women’ – those who are retired, empty-nesters, or have found themselves without a spouse to jump back into life. And, she shares multiple tips, ideas, and possibilities toward that end. Kathy completed her almost 30 years as an elementary teacher and hopped into over a decade of volunteer work, side hustle-type businesses, and grandchild care before discovering her unique and fulfilling purpose for the next chapter of life. What you read on Quiet Hollow is a large part of that calling. Another part is the happy life she’s leading in Central Texas in the same neighborhood as the 3 big kids and her 5 grandkids. She and her college sweetheart husband made sure to add a pool to their new Texas home, so there are lots of noisy, splashy days in their little oasis of a backyard. Come join her on Quiet Hollow in a conversation about finding and living the life you were created to live in this later stage. The chats will be full of laughter, support, faith, and inspiration to create.
