It's Flag Day!

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United
States of America, and to the republic for
which it stands; one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

And so began every school day for me,

more years ago than I care to admit.  

My relationship with the Pledge of Allegiance nowadays is pretty limited,

and I'm guessing yours is, too.  Unless you are a teacher.  Otherwise,

when was the last time you recited it, with your right hand over your

heart, your body turned toward the nearest American flag?

Today, June 14th, is Flag Day in the USA.

It commemorates the day in 1777 when the Second Continental Congress

adopted the Stars and Stripes as the emblem of the fledgling country.

In this afternoon's sun, a newly purchased flag

flew briskly from the porch at That Old House.

That's our old flag, next to the front door.
It is sadly worn, and ready to retire; we'll dispose of it properly this weekend.
Thank you, Howard, for the new one.  You remembered:  sewn stripes and embroidered stars!

In May 2009, our daughters Anne and Alida visited Dollar Tree

and stocked up on red, white & blue bling for That Old House.

That flag is the one now retiring; it had flown at our former house, and served for a good many years.

My, my how tasteful and restrained the girls' decorating was.

I am still glad that we had the house repainted last year,

from yellow to white, but I sure do miss the shutters!

Dear Shutter Fairy,

Please send a pot of money so That Old House

can look not naked anymore.  Many thanks.

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As for Old Glory, 

I can't watch it pass in a parade without getting all teary.

But then, I cry at Hallmark commercials.

Ask my kids.

In this intensely political year,

as we duke it out in our only national election,

it doesn't matter where we land on the political spectrum:

The flag flies for all of us.

I love the last two lines of our national anthem:

"O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

with their reminder that we cannot take the republic for granted.

I wonder how many other national anthems end

with the question: does the nation still stand?

Tomorrow's Friday, and it's minivan adventure time!

-- Cass