The Fourth OF July, Independence Day

The folks in the 1700’s thought this country was strong enough to be itself.  So they declared our independence. I’m sure, like all of the British possessions, we could have lived under the English rule, many places did, the British empire was huge and far flung.  Our Canadian neighbors did; they have survived nicely. However we did not wait, and with the help of France, we won our independence.

It is a sore spot with some, but history pretty well bears it out, without Benjamin Franklin going to France and getting assistance, we would not have made it. As time went on we paid France back in Spades, along with the British and other allies, in the mid 1940’s, France was liberated from the dictator Hitler.

Last night we walked down town Belmont to watch the fire works, our small town was packed.  It is sorta funny as we remember this small town, and knowing a lot of folks here, that ain’t the case anymore. The mills are shut down and now our claim to fame is a bedroom for Charlotte, NC. Where mill hill boys mixed breed dogs used to run loose for everyone to feed and pet, now we have the pedigreed dogs on leashes.

We within a 1/2 mile of where Sherry lived when I met her. She lived on the Imperial Mill Hill. The houses have long since been razed and homes up to a million dollars are there now.  A far cry from the four room mill houses for 25 cents a room per week rent. I think the most rent reached was $2 a week. I think that included water and sewer. Now? Mansions there, with manicured lawns.

The development is called Hawthorne. Sherry lived at 129 Hawthorne St. I wrote many a letter to that address.

Anyway the fireworks display was good, the walk was good. Sherry declares she would not like to live in Hawthorne.   Hawthorne St is no more. It is now Ft. Williams Drive.

I am glad we have our Independence of course, I am so sorry many folks on all sides had to die that it could be so. So to all Americans “Happy Independence day”. Lets Appreciate it and love your country.

God Bless America.  Thanks for coming this way,

Nite Shipslog

PS: (dedicated to Ora’s Chaplain husband, Mixon!)

UNANSWERED PRAYER 
Amy noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
"Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon."
"How come He doesn't answer it?" she asked.

Sorry, Sir!

We saw one of these on the way to the fireworks. This is a Nash Metropolitan. 1950’s car