We had a very relaxing day enjoying the festivities of this July 4. Â We started off by heading to downtown Lynchburg and checking out a couple of estate sales at Estate Specialists. Â They had a HUGE sale today in a very cool part of town. Â It was a fun morning!
Afterwards, we drove over to Poplar Forest – Thomas Jefferson’s second home. Â They were a full day of activities there. Â We arrived and walked around the grounds. Â It’s a beautiful place and has been under renovations for many years, including an archeological dig by UVA on the property.
Around 1pm, the fife and drum guys started up the festivities in front of the main house. Â We found a place to sit (I grabbed a huge bag of Kettle Korn) and waited for the “big event” – the reading of the Declaration of Independence.
It was very cool to listen to someone read the Declaration just as it might have been delivered by Thomas Jefferson some 233 years ago. Â I couldn’t help but make comparisons to what is happening in today’s government – taxation without representative, oppression by the “governing elite,” and the forcing of ideas on the people that undermine our personal liberties and independence.
I can only hope – and pray – that there will be a return to a balance of power in the Congress and that the recklessness (irresponsible spending, ridiculous taxation, passing legislation without reading it first, controlling the press, etc.) Â that is so prevalent in the current administration will be tempered before the America will now know no longer exists.