Fireworks are illegal in the City of Charlottesville, so lucky us to have moved across the Rivanna River into Albermarle County, Charlottesville, just in time for the Fourth of July. As I waited for the local 2am presentation to die down this morning, I thought about my interest in restricting the rights of others and, unlike our founding fathers, cursed human liberty.
This morning, we witnessed the citizenship oaths of 66 new Americans on the West Lawn at Monticello at the 47th annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony. There at the home to the framer of the Declaration of Independence & third president of the free world, on the lawn where the slaves toiled, we heard from the state justices, our congressman, the city orchestra, and some of the fresh new citizens, including an adopted little girl who claimed, "I love this country. It's the perfect place to be." I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Independence Day.
I read recently on The Kitch'n blog that flag cakes aren't the hippest dessert to serve this year, but then again Ben never claimed to be the hippest kid on the block. ;-) He requested, I baked, he decorated. I felt pretty good about our decision until I heard what my mom was bringing to her block party this weekend: red velvet cupcakes, probably the coolest dessert de la dia. Stood up by the cool mom once again.
Tonight we'll have Ken Wilber's chili, lots of Don's guac, and a heaping helping of flag cake after Ben reads us the preamble to the Declaration, our annual tradition, and before hopefully spying the city's legal fireworks from our balcony. The fireworks are threatened by budget cuts, so this might be their last year. Maybe next year we'll have to schlep up to DC for the wonderful fireworks over the monuments.
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