Monticello - Home of Thomas Jefferson

Happy Birthday

United States of America

Flag representing the 13 Colonies


What better way to say I am thankful
for living in a free country

North Entrance to Monticello

than to visit the home of the author and signer
of the Declaration of Independence,
Thomas Jefferson.

Monticello is located just a few miles outside the
town of Charlottesville, Virginia

South Entrance and Pavilion

Welcome to Monticello.

Jefferson was a wonderful architect
and designed this beautiful home.

Even though Jefferson was a writer, an architect,
an inventor, an educator
and the 3rd President of the United States
when asked his occupation
he always referred to himself as a farmer.

Kitchen located on the lower level

Stroll through the garden

Monticello overlooks the town of Charlottesville, Virginia
and the University of Virginia which Jefferson founded.
A link to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
is found here.

Today at Monticello:
Fourth of July Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony
are being held.

Historic Residential Area of Bastrop... and a few thoughts

Continued from yesterday's Fourth of July walk. Let's go on a little stroll around the more historic area of Bastrop, Texas. As you can see the town folk are ready for the Fourth of July celebrations. Oh yes, there will be a pet parade today for the opening of the new Bark Park. Gertie & I are going to pass on this because it takes place mid-day and may be too hot for two old girls like us.

After we left the downtown area the morning of the Fourth, we went to see how the residences were decorated. We happened upon a yard sale with lots of knickknacks, old furniture, posters etc. for sale. Of course we passed ~ at this stage I need to be getting rid of things and not adding to my stash!

As we walked along looking at the pretty houses, speaking to people, enjoying the morning, I thought about how lucky we are to live in a free society. We as a society have come a long way since my childhood... that is not to say we have reached the pinnacle, but we have advanced in what we are supposed to be as humans.

A good deal of this advancement is due to our government and our leaders. When I was in my late teens segregation ended, the Voter Rights Act was passed, in the 1970s people became more adjusted to sexual preferences of individuals, more people were able to receive a college education, and women began to have a larger roll in government and business.

Some people want government out of our lives, but I can't help but think if we had not had government insistence that we behave more like human beings then we may still be in the darker days. There is much more to do, but if our children have been taught well the progress will continue.

I feel lucky to live in a society where the government does try to do the right thing. After all the government is of the people; it is a reflection of us. Thankfully there are more caring, deeper and long-term thinking people that elect visionaries to guide us.

Beautiful home & garden.

Old fashioned mailboxes and a bicycle for decoration.

More old houses that are inviting from the outside.

Below are items from the yard sale.
Cute old toys, knickknacks, lighting fixtures, posters were for sale.

Back to the stately homes. Some have flags hanging from posts. Happy birthday, America.

The corner grocery. Tracy's Drive-In Grocery.

The last of the houses that we shall be viewing today.

Handmade rocking horse complete with mop for tail!
It looks more like a rocking dog, but how cute & original.

This house is sporting the American and Texas flags.

Porch swings above & below.
Ahhh, peace & quiet on a summer morning or evening.

Back home. The sun is shining brightly with blue sky above the pine trees.
We need flags ( U. S. & Texas) for our house... next year perhaps.

Happy Birthday USA from Bastrop!

This morning Gertie & I went to downtown Bastrop to see the U. S. American flags along the street. We were early & the flags had not been placed. As you can see there are a few folks gathering for an early breakfast or coffee. Maxine's on Main is a gathering place for many of the old-time locals.


At least some of the businesses had put up their bunting in anticipation of the day's celebrations.
While we were waiting for the flags to arrive Gertie & I began to walk around taking photos & enjoying the morning.

Grace Miller's Cafe ~ Lunch & Dinner Served

Tea & Sympathy Tea Room. This looks like a fun little tea room to visit.

Iced Tea just $1.00

Gertie is checking out the little bird houses.

The patio at the Tea Room

Peeking through the window of the Tea Room

Gertie is patiently waiting. She's such a good girl!

The old county jail above and below is the Bastrop County Courthouse.

A couple of restaurants located on Main Street. Green Chai Cafe, a new place to lunch and Maxine's on Main, an old hangout for the locals.

The American flags have arrived. David Lewis (right) and Mike Kurley (center) are getting the flags placed.
Below Linda Roberts is a happy flag bearer.

All the work is paying off.
The breeze came up and the flags are waving in the wind.
So beautiful.

Flags and flowers.

Let's walk across the old bridge that spans the Colorado River.

Gertie is enjoying our stroll around town.

Kayaking on the Colorado. This is so much fun; I especially enjoy kayaking in the fall when the weather is a bit cooler & the leaves are changing along the river bank.

Hike & bike trail along the river.

The Bastrop Fire Department.

To be continued... Visit with us tomorrow for a stroll through the historic residential area of Bastrop. I hope you have enjoyed seeing our little downtown area. Happy Fourth of July!! Be safe!