Fourth Of July In Venice - Freedom!

When you leave somewhere as pretty as Minnesota in the Summer, it helps to return to somewhere as pretty as Venice. It helps even more when your excellent friends plan a July 4th party to rock their foundation.

A foundation that is in jeopardy, by the way, as big developers once again are trying to cleanse our town of our charming bungalows to put up massive ugly boxes, this time on Penmar. So, what better way to celebrate our freedom than a big old bash/show of defiance? And that's exactly what we did.

It was not only a Fourth of July party, but also a one year birthday party for Hatchet Hall (and the 111th birthday for Venice!), the restaurant owned and operated by our party hosts. Chef Brian Dunsmoor and his team closed down the restaurant for the day, but did not take the day off, as they cooked up a crawfish boil feast for all of us lucky friends. Crawfish, sausage, Weiser Farms potatoes, corn on the cob, fried chicken, biscuits, watermelon ... that's about as American as you can get, and it was outrageously delicious. Of course.

Andy Clockwise spun tunes for us all day (kindly throwing down a lot of Prince as I'd just come from visiting Paisley Park and was missing the Minneapolis fireworks coordinated to his music), and we all got DOWN. There's not a whole lot better than day drinking and dancing in the sunshine ... unless it's sunset drinking and dancing ... or nighttime fireworks drinking and dancing ... all of which are American dreams.

The Penmar residents graciously opened the party up to all of Venice, so the crowd was a fine mix of old friends and new. I started a million stories that I didn't finish, only to pick back up where we left off hours later. New stories were also created, as the kegs were slowly depleted and the explosions in the sky began. We all gathered outside for a group photo before it got dark, to document a special time in history, a special day, and a special and beloved place that might not always be here, at least like it was.

It truly was a Happy 4th Of July. We never made it down to the beach to see the official fireworks display, but we didn't need to. The feeling is inside of us, and it was really just about being together. Happy Birthday to our Venice ... we love you just the way you are!  We The People! Freedom!

Thank you to Brian and Lacey for hosting a day we won't soon forget. Love!

Weekend Beach House

ALL weekend spent on the beach means you need provisions ... and sometimes shelter.

My beach friends created this awesome set-up to wile away the hours ... they even added decor, like sea shell mobiles a sand castle shovel arrow.

It was one of the most beautiful weekends ever, and a long one at that, so the beach was home the whole time. The water is so warm right now, it was the perfect stay-cation. As hard as it is to be back inside right now ... the absolute glory and appreciation of this Venice beach weekend will carry me through, I know it.

If you by chance got today off too ... you should only be swimming. This only lasts so long. Enjoy!

Happy Fourth - Freedom!

Happy Fourth of July, USA! Happy 109th Birthday, Venice!

Celebrate our freedom today ...

Protect it EVERY day.

Happy 4th of July! Declare Independence!

Happy 4th of July, my fellow Americans! With all that's going on in the World, from Egypt to Turkey to right here in the good ol' USA, the fight for liberty and independence is a daily struggle that should never be taken lightly or for granted. Seriously.

So amid all the sun and fun and food and drink and music and fireworks today, take a minute to recognize the absolute gift, right and MUST that it is for us all to DECLARE INDEPENDENCE!

I was recently supremely lucky enough to see Bjork perform that very song at the Hollywood Bowl, so here that is for you to rock out to in solidarity:



FREEDOM! LIBERTY! JUSTICE! For ALL! Declare it. Celebrate it. Today and every day.

PS - Yes, I want very much to be in Bjork's girl choir.

Freedom

The gospel truth about our Country in four and a half minutes.




Happy 4th of July, my People!

Happy 107th Birthday, Venice, even more my People!

Let Freedom Reign

Happy 4th Of July Weekend!

The Star Spangled Banner by Jimi at Woodstock the Original still packs the same wallop as it did 41 years ago ...



Did you hear the struggle, the triumph, the pain, the pride, the hope, the FREEDOM of it all in there?

The struggles continue, and so do the triumphs. The pain is in your face every single day - if you choose to focus on it. The pride and hope come through every single day as well - if you let it.

That guitar says it all far better than I ever could, so I'll bid you a Fireworks and Fun filled weekend with people you love, doing the things you love, and celebrating the good ol' U.S.A. we all love ... with Liberty and Justice for ALL.