Happy 4th of July!
It’s an odd one, this middle of the week celebration, but perhaps that awkward timing renews enthusiasm, as folks have big plans, including barbeques and neighborhood parties despite the hottest summer on record. We spied decorations in unexpected places, and for the first time ever received gifts and cards as we honor two hundred and thirty-six years of America’s Independence.
(pictured, My Security Blanket, 1996, an original silkscreen by George Rodrigue)
I planned for today a post paying tribute to the city and people of Houston. We’re here seven weeks now, about halfway through our Texas summer, and despite the circumstances, George Rodrigue and I have renewed our fondness for the Lone Star State, a true American neighbor to Louisiana in times of need, harboring our citizens following hurricanes, supporting our economy with weekend Big Easy vacations, and, on a personal level, treating us to a healing, hospitable, and unexpectedly entertaining Summer of 2012.
In anticipation of that post, George photographed the spectacular Houston skyline, dominated by skyscrapers, seemingly more than “mere corporate shells.” They are “monuments to the arrogant yet philanthropic spirit of America,” writes Patti Smith in Just Kids (an artsy Independence Day gift from my equally artsy cousin Jill Wolfe), viewing New York City as beautiful, “a real city, shifty and sexual,” even as the young Smith sleeps in parks and scrounges for food.
(pictured, Big Apple Blues, 1995, an original silkscreen by George Rodrigue)
George also photographed, although not yet in the right light, the 1950s Sears building, almost seductive in its ugliness, “the old world and the emerging one served up in the brick and mortar of the artisan and the architects.” (Smith)
But that post will wait, because it needs George’s photographs, and he’s still scouting daily, knowing he has the rest of the summer, waiting for the right shadows, the right atmosphere, manipulating for hours within photoshop, yet still not perfectly pleased.
Our plans today are far from a barbeque. Yet we’re happy, as our loved ones visit virtually through their messages and well-wishes. We’ll eat homemade chocolate cake lovingly baked and gifted by our Santa Rosa Beach friends Lacy and Andy, topping it with homemade preserves from my cousin Judy Wolfe, a gifted nutritionist out to save our American bodies from our American chain restaurants with her clever website Jeatwell.
Thanks to my college roommate Debbie we’ll enjoy at last the contagious and utterly un-American Downton Abbey Season 2, followed by, courtesy of Rhonda Egan of the Rodrigue Gallery, the classic and purely American Tracy & Hepburn, the Definitive Collection.
During this quiet morning, as I write this, George Rodrigue sleeps behind me after working late on plans for painting a barn (I kid you not! …details when he lets me share-), and I watch the Houston downtown silence, unlike yesterday’s rush hour chaos, from our ninth floor window, the same window granting us an excellent view of tonight’s fireworks.
(pictured, my sister Heather joins her son Wyatt in Birmingham, England last month as they cheer on Wyatt’s brother, William Parker, who placed 4th representing Team USA in the 2012 BMX World Championships! Read the exciting story here-)
Finally, I leave you with an American memory:
Thanks to a clever Saturday morning program called Schoolhouse Rock, each 6thgrader at New Heights Elementary School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida stood at the front of the room and passed his or her history test with melodic ease, reciting the Preamble to the United States Constitution. Thirty-five years later, like my former classmates, I know it by heart. Won’t you join me in this reminder of our “blessings of liberty?”
Happy Independence Day to you and yours! And Happy Birthday to my dad, born on the 4th of July!
Wendy
-also this week, patriotism dominates the Cajun heritage and paintings of artist George Rodrigue in my latest story for Gambit Weekly: “The American Cajun”-
-for more art and discussion, please join me on facebook–
For the Fourth, all I can think to send is a brain worm.
You don't need the Preamble Ditty, so instead I'm suggesting you start humming The Stars and Stripes Forever.
There ya go. Stuck in your brain for the rest of the day.
Happy Fourth. Start marching!
Ah- John Philip Sousa – my mother's favorite! Thanks for the reminder, Patty. And Happy 4th!
Oh! I just loved the little ditty. Especially the dualing flower guns ( as in City Park dueling Oaks)! Spent a solo whirlwind trip to NYC for the 4th to incorporate an appointment at ZITOMER's to show my jewelry line with visitng good friends in from Australia with eating good Italian AND, of course hitting the July 4th Macy sale! (managed to even have a Tom Ford makeover and updated my makeup which is only every 5 years or so!). Every time I saw MOMA flags out…thought of you .
I admire the verve you and George are dueling this Summer Madness with!
Much love, Penny & Marion
I live just south of Houston in a town right on the Gulf Freeway – League City. I just found your blogs while searching for information on the Youngsville Oak. One of my readers told me about it in the process of commenting on MY post about our recent big event – the moving of the Ghirardi Compton Oak.
I don't usually put links to my stuff in other folks blogs, but Follow the Muddy Dirt Road might be of interest. There are plenty of photos and links, and a video of the actual move which is just astounding. It's a beautiful tree, and one with quite a history.
I'm looking forward to my next visit to Lafayette. Seeing your oak is on my list of things to do!
This is great! Saving oaks is becoming a national pastime, it seems- and certainly an amazing and happy feat. Thank you for sharing, shoreacres. And for any of you reading who are unfamiliar with the Youngsville Oak, here is the link- http://www.wendyrodrigue.com/2011/02/saving-oak-tree-for-romain.html
Enjoy your visit to Lafayette. If you get the chance, hit the Blue Dog Cafe. It's the BEST for Sunday Brunch – Wendy
How different our 4th of July was yet so similar in many ways. We thought of you two on the other side of town and wondered what your day might have in store for you.