It Goes On and On . . .

I like to read works from the classical period because the authors so often reflect timeless topics; Cicero complains about his annoying wife, Martial laments the noise from the street, Caesar on the strange ways of foreigners or Plautus deriding the pompous generals.

I mention this because this Fourth of July weekend illustrated how even this young country brings continuity to our lives. We celebrate Independence Day and wear red, white and blue. We sing songs that our grandparents did – “You Are My Sunshine”, “This Land is Your land”. Barbecues, picnics, hot dogs and hamburgers.A family reunion where siblings are always “the middle one, striving to fit in” or the youngest, “the baby” even though recently retired. Partying in the house they all grew up in, reliving memorable happenings, both good and bad. The “ Grand Old Flag” all over town. In the wake of all the idiocy coming from Washington I find the fireworks and continuity comforting. Kaboom.