If there were still windmills in eastern Iowa, you would agree that the once common windmill that pumped water to livestock was an awesome sight. As a farm kid, I took its presence for granted; I remember watching it turn. The windmill, now a relic of the past, was a hypnotizing giant on the hill of our farm. The wind turbines, which definitely evoke a mixed bag of opinions, mostly negative in our counties, are doing their “purported” job in various regions.
I’ve been picking up tree branches a lot this spring. Seems like there have been a ton of bad-hair-days due to wind. First, absolutely first, when the wind rushes through my outdoor breezeway, I race to rescue my American flag attached to my porch railing, lest the pole be broken or my flag damaged. I pitter-patter out into the rain to rescue my flag, sometimes in my nightgown. I’m sure my neighbors get an eyeful. I’m too old to care. I love my flag.
Since I treasure my flag, if it starts looking faded or ragged I replace it. When I saw some obvious tears this early spring, I took it in the house, and with it in my lap, hand-stitched the tears until it was back to perfection. That’s how much it means to me to keep Old Glory in proud display off my front porch.
I do notice flags when I’m a passenger in the car. I note how farms display them. I notice neighborhoods in towns flying them as well. In some places I ask myself, why is no one flying the American flag? Granted, not everyone wears their patriotism on their sleeve like I do. I have red-white-blue clothes for certain holidays. I see others do that, too. Gardeners display R-W-B petunias, or those kid toy spinners.
My aunt always made blueberry pie on the Fourth of July. Strawberries and blueberries on vanilla ice cream is a yummy and patriotic dessert, too. Memorial Day cemetery flags find me so grateful to towns that keep their promise to honor war dead and veterans. I am indebted to the veterans who give muscle and time to decorate with small flags at the stones and tall heavy flags along the pathways. Bringing children into the process helps teach them patriotism and respect. We all know how important that is to the future of our country.
A year or so ago, I remember feeling proud to see speed boats on our Wisconsin lake with flags off the back of the boat. Same with witnessing the lake’s long bridge filled with people to watch the patriotic armada.
Bravo to all of you Americans grilling a July 4th picnic, or relaxing on the sandbars. Celebrating this national holiday gives us a chance to pause and be grateful to be an American. Now more than ever, can we pump up the Fourth of July with extra enthusiasm and meaning? Can we plant a flag or put it on a pole off the porch, or fly it up a flagpole so our windy Iowa days can unfurl the flag in all its splendor? I hope so. Grill a brat for me and enjoy the privilege it is to be an American.
