Sunday, July 5, 2026

Sunday Stills - The Red White and Blue

The Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge is Red, White, and Blue!

My patriot heart beats true for the red, white, and blue just like the old song says, so in honor of America 250 here are some American flag themed photos.

From the High School Lesson Book - Independence Day on Homeschool Coffee Break @ kympossibleblog.blogspot.com

It's a grand old flag, it's a high-flying flag

And forever in peace may she wave

She's the emblem of the land I love

The home of the free and the brave

Every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue

Where there's never a boast or brag

Should old acquaintance be forgot

Keep your eye on the grand old flag!

~George M. Cohen

My state flag is red, white, and blue as well.

I loved how the red, white, and blue was incorporated into the fireworks displays we saw over the last two days.

I realized that some of the sports teams we cheer for have red, white, and blue jerseys and logos. My husband is a staunch Montreal Canadiens fan. They would say "bleu, blanc et rouge" which is a different order, but the same colors.

Since moving to Ohio we've become Columbus Blue Jackets fans, and their colors are also red, white, and blue, and incorporate the state flag.

Even some red, white, and blue around my house! Still trying to decide where to hang things like this fun patriotic sign, and my daisy painting.

This post is shared at Second Wind Leisure Perspectives for the #SundayStills Photo Challenge.

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Boast About This

This is what the LORD says:

"Let not the wise boast of their wisdom

or the strong boast of their strength

or the rich boast of their riches,

but let the one who boasts boast about this:

that they have the understanding to know me,

that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,"

declares the LORD.

~Jeremiah 9:23-24~

We have much to boast about in today's world, don't we? We have technology and advancements that have brought us wealth and prosperity. We have personal achievements that we can rightfully be very proud of. We are proud of the teams and athletes we cheer for, whether our hometown team or an elite team representing our entire nation at the Olympics - or right now at the World Cup. We love the country we are from, whether humble or a world power. Here in the United States, we are celebrating our nation's 250th year, and so we should!

But the ultimate thing to boast about is our relationship with our God, because it's only by knowing him that we will be able to do the things that HE deems most important and worthy. Kindness, justice, and righteousness. May we celebrate these things and boast about the kindness, justice, and righteousness of our God at least as enthusiastically as we celebrate the nation we love.

Happy Independence Day!

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Saturday, July 4, 2026

America 250 - Independence Day 2026

Happy Independence Day!

How wonderful it is to celebrate 250 years of freedom in the greatest nation on earth!

On July 4th, 1776, the delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia signed the Declaration of Independence. They did so knowing their lives were on the line, but they so firmly believed in the cause of liberty and the rights of the people that they took this courageous step. The thirteen colonies had sent delegates to the Continental Congress and they voted on July 2nd to legally separate from Great Britain. The resolution of independence that was adopted in this vote had been prepared by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. The Declaration of Independence was a statement explaining this decision, and was authored by Thomas Jefferson and other members of the Committee of Five. This statement was debated and revised by the Continental Congress before being approved on July 4th.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Independence Hall

The odds were against the American colonists in the Revolutionary War that followed, but they persevered and freedom was won. In the years that followed, the founding fathers established a representative, republican form of government in a Constitution that upholds the rights of citizens and limits government in order to preserve those rights. It is good and right to honor and celebrate the courage and sacrifice and contributions of all those who played a part in building, preserving, and defending the United States of America; and to pledge ourselves to continuing to make this nation great.

Proclaim LIBERTY throughout the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof.

The Liberty Bell was originally cast to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Charter of Privileges written by William Penn to ensure freedom in the Pennsylvania colony. When the bell arrived from England it was defective. The Philadelphia business Pass & Stowe melted and recast it twice before it was hung in the tower of the State House in 1753. Tradition holds that the bell was rung on July 8, 1776 after the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War, bells were hidden so the British couldn't take and melt them down for ammunition. The Liberty Bell was later returned to the State House and was rung every Fourth of July and for other national celebrations until 1835 when it cracked.

On July 4th in American history:

1801 - the first public Fourth of July reception at the White House, during Jefferson's presidency

1804 - the Corps of Discovery named Independence Creek in honor of the day

1826 - both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died

1827 - New York state emancipated its slaves

1828 - Charles Carroll, the last man living who had signed the Declaration, participated in a ceremony opening the construction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad

1831 - the song "America" was first sung in a Boston celebration of Independence Day

1848 - the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid

1895 - the poem "America the Beautiful" by Katherine Lee Bates was first published in the July 4 issue of a weekly newspaper

1930 - the sculpture of George Washington's face was unveiled at Mount Rushmore

1960 - the fifty star American flag waved for the first time

1975 - President and Mrs Ford participated in Independence Day celebrations at Fort McHenry, where the American flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner"

The Star-spangled Banner displayed at Fort McHenry.

1976 - The Bicentennial celebrating two hundred years of American freedom

2009 - the crown of the Statue of Liberty was re-opened to the public

2026 - America celebrates its Semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence

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Thursday, July 2, 2026

Everyday Images #91

Welcome to my ongoing challenge and reminder to myself to take photos somewhat regularly. I'm not a photographer, but I enjoy taking everyday photos of things I find interesting or want to remember later, and I'm more likely to notice interesting things when I'm intentionally watching for them. Having some prompts that are open to interpretation has helped me pay a little more attention to what's around me. Here's how it works: Every two weeks I have a few words and phrases to focus on, and I try to find opportunities to take pictures of these things each week. The link-up post will be here every other Thursday, sharing my photos and offering a link-up for participants to share theirs. Right below the link-up is where you'll find the next set of prompts.

June Prompts - Everyday Images #91

~~~~~

at home (monthly)

who I'm spending time with

what I'm working on

where I'm going

when I'm taking a break

why I'm happy today

signs

~~~~~

at home (monthly) - the master bedroom is *mostly* set up, needs some art and stuff on the walls though

who I'm spending time with - No, I can't take the credit for taking this photo, but I'm using it anyway, because it satisfies the prompt. And I did "commission" it - thanks to my daughter for setting it up!

what I'm working on - spent an evening with some church friends packing meals at Lifeline Christian Mission. We got 3456 meals packed in about an hour!

where I'm going - we went on a "cruise" to Niagara Falls on the Maid of the Mist

when I'm taking a break

why I'm happy today - lots of smiles and happiness the day we went on the boat ride

signs

And a few bonus photos:

We enjoyed exploring Lewiston a little bit, and back at the house, the granddaughters enjoyed building a blanket fort.

Some photos of Niagara Falls:

There's more to the Niagara River than just the roaring waterfall. We visited the Power Authority one day, and near Lewiston the river appears much more peaceful, though it's still very deep and fast-flowing.

Back home, we had time to do a local explore trip with my parents, and visited a 50s themed diner that had been on our list to check out.

Took a day off work to drive my parents to the airport in Chicago. A long drive but it was a great chance to spend that time with them and see a little of the midwest. Including our first visit at the Ohio Buc-ees!

And now back home, and back to the project of unpacking and settling in.

I am sharing my photos every other Thursday, along with my prompts for the next two weeks. You can use all or some of the prompts for your own photo posts, or none of the prompts and just link up a post featuring your photos. Simple rules: Your posts must be family-friendly; the photos must be your own; and the post must be mostly photos. If you do share I'd appreciate a mention and link to A Fresh Cup of Coffee on your post.

The Everyday Images link-up is posted every other Thursday, and is open for two weeks.

July Prompts - Everyday Images #92

~~~~~

layers

current season (quarterly)

milestone

getting ready

wings

entrance

young

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