It was a little bit of Americana in Minocqua, Wisconsin on July 4--at the annual Indepemdence Day parade down main street. Groups of dancers, muaicians, and mechants--both local and state-wide-- entertained us as they strode or rode by for nearly and hour and a half, with young attendants throwing out candy all over the street for children nearby. Alyce and I thoroughly enjoyed it with our son Paul, daughter-in-law Kristin, and their children Annika, Colin, and Kajsa.
Thought you might like to see how a small town in mid-America celebrates Independence Day, with people from all over the surrounding area joined in the festivities. Children were everywhere, and who knows what lasting impressions the flag waving and cheering might have in their lives?Several impressions remain in my mind: one, that it was good to see so many together having a good time, a change from the relative isolation of home owners and vacationers in their own normal and limited circles; then too it was renewing to feel a grateful and peaceful patriotism abounding, in a crowd well ordered and uncynical; and finally it was refreshing to get away from the pressure so many are under in daily life to perform for their living--just to enjoy each other as persons, whether old or young, rich or poor, sophisticated or not. It was as if we all were freed up by what was going on to meet, greet, and engage whoever happened to be standing or sitting by.
America is beautiful. And it can be even more so when small towns and their surrounding communities as well as mega-cities gather to celebrate their common ancestry as "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
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