Yes, I know it’s tomorrow. I don’t mean the day, I mean family getting together over at the patriarch’s house, more food than you can eat in a day, movies, board games, football on TV, and naps on that wonderful shag carpet.
Unfortunately, family has split and fragmented. No one actually cooks anymore. Ever since the grandmas passed, it just hasn’t been the same. Some tried to keep the tradition going for a few years, but it still faded like my memories.
Maybe it’s because we all have too busy lives. Maybe we’re happier apart. Maybe it’s because we don’t have a house large enough to have the “gatherings” at anymore.
Personally, I wish I had a house big enough to have everyone over and provide the room to spread out and socialize. Someday I will have that house. The big-enough one for the whole family. The kitchen so that we can cook the massive meal and not have to worry about running over each other as we scurry about baking pies and glazing the turkey.
Someday I’ll have it, and we’ll all have the Thanksgiving I remember. For now, I wish everyone a happy holiday, and hopefully I’ll get to see you in person!
- Dreary, overcast, but warm. #
- Burlington Coat Factory is hard to find. #
I’m going to do nothing more than present the first ten amendments to the Constitution. No commentary (although I have lots), no anything. Here you go:
Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
Please think about what your government is doing to your rights and really read these again.