On this, our 228^th anniversary of Independence, I feel like I should have some great words to say.

I don't.

All the more disturbing when members of my armed forces are overseas risking their lives, losing their lives, for my well being.

And all I can say is, well, thanks.

There is a small flag flying off our porch right now. A flag from this Nation's 200^th anniversary, with 13 stars arranged in a circle on a field of blue, a constellation that was new two centuries ago. If hundreds of thousands, no millions, of my fellow Americans hadn't risked their lives in revolution and service over the past 228 years, I would not have the freedom to fly that flag.

So, thank you.

This morning I read several editorials in our Sunday paper, a couple of which were less than supportive of my government's recent actions. In general, positions I support. A freedom that I have been granted by others, not claimed for myself, and for that I say thank you.

Right now I am listening to a collection of songs by Celtic artists, without any central theme except that the artists claim the label "Celtic". There are probably 50 cds in the two stacks at my left, some of which would be forbidden if certain religious groups had their way. But I live in the United States of America, where that kind of censorship is not allowed.

And for this, I say thank you.

I just spent a fair number of minutes wasting time on an online site to create this caricature of myself, guided there by a regular read of mine.

Again, a freedom I take for granted, even for silliness, but others on this planet may not have.

So, thank you.

Almost two years ago we traveled, without anyone's permission or papers, to another part of the planet to visit family and attend a local festival. A place where I snapped this appropriate shot of a fellow American enjoying freedom, both of movement and expression.

So for both their freedom of movement, and my own, I say thank you.

Now, this is not Memorial Day. And perhaps these things should have been said on that holiday set aside for thanking the citizens who have served in our armed forces. But as today I blithely enjoy the freedoms that I have had all my life, I just wanted to say this one more time.

Thank you.