Independence Day

 Happy Independence Day to all of my friends and family that celebrate!

Seeing Lady Liberty in the New York harbor stirs many emotions in my heart.  

This sight greeted us as we returned from our voyage recently. The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus is inscribed on her pedestal is befitting of the hope of our nation.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Happy Independence Day!

For Independence Day we returned to Ferry Farm, George Washington's boyhood home.  At Samuel's request we ventured out on a very warm and muggy July day.  We made sure we carried water and looked for shade whenever possible.

Ferry Farm is a popular spot for families to enjoy the Fourth.  They really do a nice job of having different tents open for children and adults to learn about this era of George Washington.  Also there are different exhibits to learn about the Native Americans that lived here long before the white man came to America. 

This gentleman was telling us about the Patawomeck language that he is trying to decipher and learn.  When the English came to America the language of the Native Americans was forced out of existence.  He is trying to learn this language that has not been used for 300 years!

Samuel and Bear had to take spin in a dugout canoe.  You know how guys are!

The Declaration of Independence takes center stage on the Fourth.

You might know that George Washington wrote a book called The Rules of Civility based on rules from the French Jesuits from 1595.  He copied 110 of these rules for his book when he was sixteen.  Clearly George Washington was an extraordinary young man!  Ferry Farm featured some of these rules of civility about the grounds.  

We decided to go take the tour of the home again.  If you want to see the inside again of  the Ferry Farm home you can go Here  They are continuing to add furnishings.

  
Before leaving I wanted to take a quick look at the garden by the visitor center.

We enjoyed our celebration very much as we remember our First President, George Washington on Independence Day!