Years ago, my spouse was in a band that went by the name of The July 4th. It wasn’t a patriotic nod. Rather I think it was more of an invitation to question the dominant cultural narrative. If I’m remembering correctly. Anyway, thinking about that old band name, and the fact that today is the 4th of July, otherwise known as Independence Day in the United States, has me in a reflective state. And since today’s rainy here in Minnesota1, I figured I’d share those musings with you, in case your day is also rainy and you feel like reading. Or you just don’t feel like boating, drinking beer, attending parades, or watching fireworks. Or if you do feel like doing those things and want to read while you wait for the next thing to begin or while you grill the hotdogs. Part of me hopes you don’t actually read this until there’s a really important reason to be on your phone or computer and instead you are out enjoying the company of wild things or loved ones or both. Anyway, here are some things that have come to mind over the years as the 4th of July time has come and gone.
I have mixed feelings about the 4th of July holiday. I mean, collective celebrations are nice. There’s something to be said about a large collective coming together to mark an important occasion, which is something that seems like it’s getting lost in the digital age when you can tailor your experience to exactly what you want it to look like, when you can stream shows at your convenience instead of waiting for the next episode that will only be shown once at a certain time on a certain day, when ritual and ceremony are things so many folks crave but aren’t sure how to make meaningful without organized religion or teachings from community elders. Ok, I’m getting off track. 4th of July. Fireworks can be pretty, I guess. I am mostly glad to live here in America.2 I appreciate the freedoms that do come with living where I do.3 People post on social media a lot about how their dogs don’t like fireworks. I’m more concerned about my veteran friends with PTSD or refugees who have lived in actual war zones.
I have this reoccurring memory that tends to surface this time of year, about being about eight years old, mad that we'd missed fireworks for some reason. In an act of rebellion4, I slept on the deck. As I was laying there in my sleeping bag, staring at the night sky and stewing about the grave injustice of having to miss fireworks, I saw a falling star. Then another. It was entirely enchanting, and I remember it clear as day, even now 36 years later. I wonder what the world would be like if we all watched for falling stars instead of fireworks. If we consciously mined for methods of enchantment. If we figured out how to celebrate peace instead of independence.
I also wonder what would be different if we all paid more attention to moss. Or to the feel of grass on bare feet. Or how the bark of an aspen differs from the bark of a maple. Or how a loon glides low across still waters, diving and surfacing, diving and surfacing, pausing now and then to send a haunting call into the sky. Or the way a drop of water slides down a flower petal on its way to the ground below, a tiny river of liquid song.
At any rate, may your July be full of opportunities to find enchantment, explorations of what it means to celebrate peace, and space to ask the questions that don’t have clear answers but need to be asked anyway.
The 4th of July5
Another one of those
holidays, like Thanksgiving,
that’s complicated & full
of opportunity & reason
to ask questions
about what we’re really
commemorating.
Upcoming Events:
Those in the Brookings, South Dakota area, I hope to see you for an evening reading and book signing at McCrory Gardens on Friday evening, July 7th. It’s a delightful time to visit the gardens with so much in full bloom! There will be light refreshments, I’ll read some from Collisions of Earth and Sky while you bask in the blooms, and we’ll allow space for questions/discussion. 6:30-8pm
Then the following week, I will be making a stop in Mankato on Tuesday, July 11 at the CuriosiTea House (1745 Commerce Dr. North Mankato, MN). From 6:30-7:30pm you can join a conversation about Collisions of Earth and Sky and enjoy a cup of tea at a teal table.
Hallelujah! It’s been so very dry, and the plants are bowing down in gratitude for the nourishment.
(Colonization, war glorification, growth economy, capitalism.. not glad about those things.)
Some of which are, of course, a result of privilege and generational wealth. Not everyone in America feels like they have the freedoms they need to live fully.
I was not a rebellious child, like, at all, which is probably clear given my choice of rebellious act here.
Facebook memories told me that I wrote this and posted it on Instagram on July 4th, 2020.