THIS HOT FOURTH OF JULY
Like many Americans, we celebrated this 4th of July holiday with picnic fare (hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and barbecued ribs plus sides) albeit indoors. In the afternoon, we were treated to a recital by A Touch of Brass, an instrumental group consisting of trumpets, trombone, drums, and French horn.
This group of six entertained us with a wide variety of patriotic songs and marches including America the Beautiful, God Bless America, and Yankee Doodle Dandy along with When the Saints Come Marching in and Sousa’s great march, Stars and Stripes Forever.
It was both heartening and encouraging to sing these American songs, a reminder perhaps that despite today’s messy, troubling political scene, this country will strive to remain strong and viable into the future.
SUMMER READING
What Constitutes Home?
Long Island by Colm Toibin
Colm Toibin’s latest novel, Long Island, a sequel to Brooklyn, is set in a small community on Long Island and in Enniscorthy, Ireland. Devastated and motivated by some shocking news about her Italian American husband Tony, Eilis returns to her Irish hometown after twenty years away. Although married with two almost grown children, she has never felt at ease in the enclave of Tony’s brother’s and their families and his mother. Enniscorthy offers escape from her stifling home scene and the opportunity to be present for her mother’s 80th birthday.
While Ireland is familiar, it is also different. Eilis re-connects briefly with her longtime friend Nancy and becomes close again with former boyfriend Jim Farrell, not knowing that his affections have been engaged elsewhere. She is also both puzzled and hurt by her mother’s responses to offers of help.
The novel flows slowly and is told from Nancy and Jim’s perspectives as well as Eilis’s. There are secrets and silences and gossip. These individuals, and others in Enniscorthy, are reluctant to be open with each or to address straightforwardly the questions and concerns each has. Aside from Nancy, ambivalence seems to be the approach of the day.
Would Jim be happy leaving the pub he owns and runs? What does Eilis really want? She loves her children, but their lives are in the States. Where does she fit?
I enjoyed this work, but not as much as I liked Brooklyn and The Master. (~JWFarrington)
POLITICAL POSTCARDS
If you have some extra time, write legibly, and believe it is crucial to vote, then you might want to consider writing postcards to select voters in various states. Under one project, Postcards to Swing States, you pick from the list of states and agree to write 200 postcards between now and October 15 when they are to be mailed.
The postcards are provided, you purchase your own stamps, and you choose from three different approved messages. I picked North Carolina, a key battleground state, and am now working my way through my list of names and addresses.
Another organized effort is Postcards to Voters. This organization requires you to go through a few hoops before being approved and receiving your first list of names and addresses with instructions. These postcards are messages to mostly Democratic voters urging them to vote for specific Congressional candidates in key races in their state.
Note: Header photo of the American flag is from www.history.com
