Is it wrong that some of the things I most look forward to
when it comes to the Fourth of July are eating and wearing all things red, white and blue? I mean, fireworks are fun and cookouts are cool, but give me an artificially colored sugary treat and a patriotic T-shirt made halfway across the world and I’m happy. Seriously! I’m not being sarcastic here … well, maybe a little bit. But these incredibly yummy cupcakes were made with care and sold with joy at a small and local family bakery — the lemonade one especially is delicious with its tart and refreshing burst of lemony flavor. And the T-shirt, priced at $5.99, came from a discount store that has successfully brought style within reach of almost all budgets. So, in celebrating our national birthday, I’m also honoring our quintessential American values of capitalism, entrepreneurship and democratization. On the other hand, you could point out that I’m contributing to the growing problems of obesity and job loss. But here’s the thing: I’m free to do that. I’m free to shop for cupcakes anywhere I want to and eat as many as I feel I can. (Are all four too many? Please say “no.”) I’m free to go anywhere I want on a T-shirt search and buy anything I can sneak into the house without my husband noticing that fits into my budget. Free to do pretty much what I want to do. Free. To. Do. What. I. Want. I don’t always make the best choices, but at least I’m free to make them. Thank you, Founding Fathers and Unheralded Founding Mothers. Happy Birthday!
And now I’m going to put on my T-shirt, eat a cupcake and drink more coffee because I’m not used to such deep thinking before lunch.
Coffee with Cathy 
Well said Cathy! Let’s hear it for freedom!!
I couldn’t find a t-shirt made in this country for this year’s fourth celebration. It doesn’t seem right to wear something that says made in Mexico.
Oh if B-B-Qing chicken, don’t let the men lick the fork after taking the chicken out of the marinade and putting it on the grill.
I love that t-shirt. Mind sending me some of those edible goodies? Please? 😉
Happy July 4th weekend!!
Mary — good advice about the chicken! Thanks for sharing.
And, Janie, if I could, I would!
Well said, Ms. Cathy! I am a born in the Shoals girl, living on the Chesapeake Bay, in a tiny place called Wicomico Church, Va. Thoroughly enjoyed your article! I just wish you would send me that yummy lemonade cupcake! Happy 4th of July to you and all my family in the Shoals area!
It’s all about the hot dog for me. Hope you are having a great weekend.
Becky — Thanks for reading and sharing your kind words. Hope you make it back home for a visit soon!
Carolyn — I’m with you there! There is nothing as good as a perfectly grilled hot dog.
Happy fourth of July especially to Cathy & my cousin Becky. May our country live long and strong.
Just watching the citizenship ceremony at Monticello. One day I’m going to finish my trip there and Mt. Vernon. I had an allergic reaction at Williamsburg and we had to shorten our trip.