Wow.

July 3, 2008.

I got up today, got dressed in sneakers, jeans, and a decent shirt, and drove to my somewhat low-paying job.
I didn't have to put on a veil, a head scarve, or a burka.
And I did NOT have to be escorted by a male relative.
Which was great for me because my nearest male relative (my husband) is on my crumb list. BIG TIME!
We have had one heck of a fight, but he cannot have me stoned, beaten, or decapitated. 'Cause the laws of this country say he can't!
Another plus!
While I was on the job, I got into two seperate discussions about government and the current leadership of this country.
Nobody is going to beat my door down and haul me off to be shot, even if they want to. And if they HAD heard me, they would!
I can say whatever I want to, anywhere I want to, and there ain't one pea-pickin' thing anybody can do about it.
I went to Wal-Mart, and bought what I wanted. Well, not EVERYTHING I wanted, but I can be stupid about my money if I so desire.
And I am writing this on my new keyboard, that I got with my new computer! Yippee for moi!
And this is a dandy computer! I can surf the net and see whatever I want to. I can do whatever I want to with it.
And I'm gonna post this little piece of drivel. And if YOU want to read it or anything else on the net, you can do that, too!
If I feel like it I may do some pen and ink work. The subject matter is my call, and mine alone. It may be subversive, or pornagraphic in someone's opinion.
If you don't like it, that's okay. Free speech and all that.
I can sleep tonight in relative peace and security, because there are people out there who will protect me and mine as far as they are capable.
But if the worst should happen, we have protection in this house. Lots of it.
Tomorrow, me and T-Bird might drive to another county to see what is supposed to be a great fireworks display.
We have the right to do this, and even though I am certain that there will be a roadblock or two between here and there,
we will be allowed to proceed. As long as we are not posing some sort of threat to other folks.
A co-worker is spending a couple of weeks in Europe; she can go to wherever her husbands cash flow will allow, and trust me, she will.
Then she'll come back to the Good Old U.S. of A., whether I want her to or not. And I don't.
And Sunday morning, I can go worship the way I want to, and I can believe what strikes a chord in my soul.
I can pray to my God. It may not be what you believe, but you go do whatever it is that your faith calls for.
If you want to.
Or go fishin'.

It may not look like much of a life to you.
Sometimes, it doesn't look like much of a life to me.
But if the opportunity presents itself, I can change it for the better.
And I can work for a change of life for all of us, if I see a way to do it.

All because, generations ago, a group of people decided to make their own way, and their own country.
And it was cemented by thousands of flag-draped caskets, and millions of mother's tears.

Is it a perfect country? Nope.

But it's the best one we've got. It STILL has possibilities.

Have a wonderful Fourth of July ya'll. And stay safe.