The Old Guy Had It Right

If I had money to spare and could buy a few things at Hobby Lobby to hang on my living room wall, the choice would be easy: two separate, beautifully framed copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Right above where I am sitting at this very moment is blank wall space that has been reserved for such items...  if I ever have the funds to spare or somebody decides to contribute to the cause. I'd also like to have a framed copy of the South Carolina Ordinance of Secession to hang on my left and a copy of an 1806 A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language to adorn my bookshelf.

Yep. Some women dream of handbags and shoes and tropical vacations.
I'm good with copies of originals of things that have historical significance.
No wonder my husband loves me the way he does.

To mark the occasion of the our country's independence, I've spent the better part of the morning re-reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine. He's a name that even late elementary students should recognize, but I doubt few have taken the time to read his work. Yeah, he's got that old English style way of talking and the spelling is definitely old school, but his words ring just as true today as they did when this particular essay was published in January 1776. I thought of including some of my favorite lines (and even did have most of them typed out)... suffice it to say that he was all about God being the king of America, watching out for leaders who might swiftly step in and bully their way to to the top by manipulating the people, and losing the political titles that keep us from referring to one another as "a good citizen; an open and resolute friend; and a virtuous supporter of the rights of mankind."

Like I said, relevant information and a good reminder for today, no matter how old of a guy he may seem. And with that, I'm gonna close up my books and turn on the radio. I've got a cake to bake, a cat to feed, and our own little celebration to get to later today.

Happy Independence Day.