4th of July

"It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: "And this, too, shall pass away." How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!"

A magic marker missed the pre-laundry pocket screening and made its way through a complete wash cycle. My son scored his first goal in hockey. Two fantastic report cards found their way home to finish the school year. The folks at work assure me it's OK to cut my hours nearly in half so I can be with my kids this summer.

It was $75 to fill the tank this week. My mother's slow spiral in the nursing home is more evident each time we visit. Last night was a perfect star-lit night at the drive-in with some friends and five giggling kids. Soon there will be BLTs with tomatoes from the garden but no watermelons since the deer got to them first. A hockey buddy dropped from the ranks of the Thursday old-timers for good because of a neck injury.

My beautiful little girl has gone camping for four days with her best friend and her family. I worry about my brother and his wife as they continue to struggle after her near fatal fall. Who will Judy be when she comes home from Afghanistan next year?

Nearly 150 years ago Abraham Lincoln uttered the words that continue to sustain me. Today we celebrate the best of all holidays. Happy Fourth.

-- Phil Basinski