Video Flag, Nam June Paik, 1996

In lieu of fireworks tonight, I offer you this animated GIF. Think of it as a Zoom version of the real thing. Only this teleconference comes complete with 70 CRTs instead of just one or two. Speaking of Zoom, we have a big multi-state, multi-time zone call that is on for tonight. The top topic of discussion is rodent control at the cabin or at least that is the excuse for convening. Though I think that the real reason is for some family conversation in honor of the fourth. It will be fun.

David and Maren left the cabin today and are headed back to Boston, where they have jobs to Zoom and a new apartment to move into and a wedding to plan too. Meanwhile, Dan and Britt plan on extending their cabin stay for a few days, before returning to NYC. We are now planning on heading up to the cabin a few days earlier than we had originally planned to arrive. This will give us about three full weeks up there, which by recent year’s standards doesn’t seem all that grand, but for this year it is sounding pretty good round about now.

Today is our nation’s birthday, which gives an opportunity to celebrate. 2020 has been a rough year and we are only about halfway through it and some are saying that the second half will be tougher than the first. The scourge of the virus looks like it will be worse and since most of the stimulus money is spent, people will be feeling the resulting economic pain much more acutely than before. The march for racial justice won’t be subsiding anytime soon. Not until there are big fundamental changes made in this country. America’s original sin needs to be atoned for and I can’t think of a better way to start fixing all of these problems than with a change in government this fall. Our country is not on the right track now, but with new leadership, maybe by the next 4th of July we can all see some improvements being made and make America great again. It will only take four more years than it was originally promised by the soon to be previous president.