Simple pleasures

July 4th is a holiday in the USA, often celebrated with nationalistic fervor. I have never been nationalistic, and this year I am heartbroken over the state of this country. Built on genocide, sustained by slavery, home to toxic end-stage capitalism and virulent racism, it is nonetheless populated by people who were all children at one time. I look at the children cavorting in the lawn sprinkler and think with gratitude of our access to a safe, clean, plentiful supply of water. I wish everyone had such access. I spent the day with my son Seth's family and a few of their friends. Water hoses, water balloons, an obstacle course; hotdogs, hamburgers, watermelon; a little neighborhood parade of decorated wagons and bicycles.