My $.02

They tell me this weekend was the Fourth of July celebration weekend. Even with the sound of fireworks every evening, I did not feel very patriotic even in my red, white and blue adornments.

Why might that be?

Much to my chagrin, stores and businesses were open all as usual. Of course, there were all the requisite blow-out sales to spend your stimulus check from Uncle Sam. But I was naive enough to think that maybe the stores would be closed to allow people a chance to spend the holiday--not spend their money.

Nor could I find one viewing on the airwaves of either "1776" or "Yankee Doodle Dandy."
If only we had HBO we could have watched the re-airing the "John Adams" series (which I highly recommend any time of the year).

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. I have deep admiration and respect for the American mystics known as our Founding Fathers (and Mothers -- thank you Abigail Adams) and wish everyone else could share that feeling. And since freedom is really an inside job, I shall trust that each citizen found his/her way to do just that -- celebrate their freedom in whatever way they knew how.

I caught the closing piece on 60 Minutes that informed me that the nation's beloved copper penny costs $.02 to be produced and its existence is now threatened. In fairness, I must also note that the nickel is in jeopardy for the same manufacturing high cost problem, but somehow I do not think the nickel is in the heart or lexicon of our citizens the way that the Lincoln penny is. You know, " A penny saved, is a penny earned." From one of our very significant founders, Mr. Franklin. "A penny for your thoughts." Or the simple joy of finding a 'lucky penny' on the sidewalk. Yet, scientists and statistics are proving that it costs too much in time, labor and materials to continue producing the penny, and perhaps the nickel. There must be a way around this national crisis. Can't these same scientific minds engineer a way to continue production of our copper penny (which now contains more zinc than copper) so that children and charities everywhere still get to collect their pennies? I, for one, would be willing offset this cost in some other manner. Fortunately, next year is an anniversary year for the penny -- the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, and the 100th anniversary of the penny itself-- so I feel it is safe for a short while. Perhaps the extra time will allow for a solution to this national crisis.

Since there was no airing of holiday films, I was channel surfing and came upon, Million Dollar Password, an updated version of one of my viewing and playing favorites television game shows. This time the production values are a cross between "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" and "American Idol" --so it's no wonder the new host is Regis Philbin. Even though I read that Betty White has already been a guest, it's just my opinion, but I prefer the old format and less of the dramatic music and flashy lights. Yet, I admit that I wished that the show taped in Los Angeles instead of New York so that I could apply as a contestant.

Freedom might be just another word this fourth o' July but at least I can claim that I am gluten free and penny-full.