week 25/26

250 – Philatelic

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Today is Canada Day, National Postal Worker Day, and my Dad’s birthday which forms a triad of coincidence. My dad (and mom) was a postal worker for over thirty years, and his dad, my grandfather was born in Canada and growing up we had many relatives living there, so this day has always been a highlight in my year. This year, in addition to the semiquincentennial of our nation’s founding, we are also celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the postal service.

It was established during our country’s fight for independence and it is officially and nationally created in the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin was its first postmaster general. I waited in line at his post office in Philadelphia for a commemorative stamp cancellation. I’ve always had a strong connection to the post office, from hanging out in the back offices, sorting mail (unofficially, of course), testing the stampers, and collecting my own sets of stamps as my parents did. I still collect some stamps if they are of interest, and our kids have several sheet sets framed in their room.

Below, you will see some of the stamps that I have that commemorate and/or celebrate this country from the Founding to the Underground Railroad to Free Speech, and the many people who contributed to our potential.

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250 – Food!

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I am a sucker for a good food tie-in, and product branding. Especially when it’s mostly my favorite snacks. I know they want my money, but I want their product, so it’s win-win for everyone.

I don’t know if you’ll see these on shelves this week; I got two of them over a month ago (Oreos and my favorite Tootsie Rolls!). If it has red, white, and blue sprinkles on it, I’ll take one and I may even share!

A plate of goodies for work! Oreo Firecracker Pop Limited Edition with blue-raspberry/lemon/cherry creme, Red, white, and blue M&Ms with three designs: star, eagle, fireworks, and patriotic Tootsie rolls, in addition to Bomb pop popsicle – I thought these were bigger when I was a kid, Cake Bites in red, white, and blue, and a sugar packet from Cracker Barrel in one (my favorite design) of the five designs that I saw there. 
(c)2026

To Celebrate

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I’ve struggled since Memorial Day thinking, debating with and challenging myself on whether or not I want to celebrate the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of this country. I was raised to be proud of the United States. My parents raised me to be respectful of the flag, to stand for the pledge and the National Anthem, my duty to vote and to sit on a jury, and to believe that this is the greatest country. It has that potential certainly. It could be. We are in a place where anything’s possible. If I moved to Japan, I couldn’t become Japanese, but anyone can move here and become an American. That used to be a good thing.

Let’s be honest: as much as I’m in denial, I won’t be here in fifty years to celebrate the tricentennial and it saddens me that so much of this celebration has been taken away from us. I look at the waving flags and I feel nothing but ill. Sadness of what we’ve been reduced to.

But I’m not going to let a group of corrupt racists take this week away from me. I’m not. I left my flags up for Memorial Day (as they should be flown for our fallen), and then took them down a week later. I’ve decided to put them up again for the next two weeks. I think it’s important to celebrate our past, to acknowledge and reconcile the bad, to praise the good, and to hope for the better, and for a better future filled with joy and equality, laughter and hope, so that’s what I am going to do.

Everyday this week, I’ll have something else to share, from heartfelt to commercial, consumer bandwagons, and of course, baseball…

and apple pie.

Travel – Barack Obama Presidential Library

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In my lifetime, there has never been anybody like President Barack Obama. His very presidency was symbolic, and I feel privileged to have witnessed it. His presidential library opens today in Chicago, Illinois. Choosing  Juneteenth I’m sure was no accident, and since it’s a federal holiday, today would be a good time to take a few days off, head to Chicago and visit the library of the first Black President.

Visit the website for a look back at the Obama Presidency Timeline.

Visit the library and Obama Presidential Campus in person:

The library is located on a 19.3 acre campus on the South Side of Chicago in historic Jackson Park. Directions.

There are many things to do there that do not cost admission:

  • Original works of art
  • Gardens and plazas, including the Women’s Garden, the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden, and the John Lewis Plaza.
  • Nature walks
  • Playground
  • Newest branch of the Chicago Public Library
  • Cafe, Restaurant, and Picnic Area plus a store.

There will be programs and tours throughout the year that may require registration or tickets. Sign up for their newsletter here.

Admission to the museum is about $30 for adults for timed tickets or walk the grounds; the campus is open daily, free of charge.

Plan your visit here.

Travel – Grant Cottage

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Frederick Douglass Remembers Ulysses S. Grant

Tomorrow, in commemoration of Juneteenth, historical interpreter Nathan M. Richardson brings his portrayal of abolitionist Frederick Douglass to Grant Cottage in Wilton, New York in a conversation about Ulysses S. Grant.

I visited the cottage a few years ago, and it was hands down the best historical site tour I’ve ever been on. I am looking forward to this event, which will be held tomorrow, from 1 to 2pm.

All Grant Cottage programs are free and open to the public and donations are greatly appreciated.

Directions:

  • From the South:
  • Take the Adirondack Northway (I-87) north to exit 16 toward Ballard Rd/Wilton/Corinth.
  • Turn left ojnto Ballard Rd. (CR-33) toward Wilton/Corinth.
  • Go for about 1 1/2 miles.
  • Continue on Corinth Mountain Rd (CR-33).
  • Turn right onto Parkhurst Rd. Continue on Mt. McGregor Rd. The cottage is almost two miles.
  • GPS address: 1000 Mt. McGregor Rd., Wilton, NY 12831

See you there!