Category: america

Little Rock Nine

John and Kathy Deering sculptors
The location is heavy with meaning. The nine statues stand outside the governor’s office, where in 1957 Gov. Orval Faubus called out the National Guard to prevent black schoolchildren from attending previously all-white Central High following a 1954 Supreme Court ruling. When the nine entered, they were under the armed guard of federalized troops.–Houston Chronicle
Ernest Green (b. 1941), Elizabeth Eckford (b. 1941), Jefferson Thomas (1942–2010), Terrence Roberts (b. 1941), Carlotta Walls LaNier (b. 1942), Minnijean Brown (b. 1941), Gloria Ray Karlmark (b. 1942), Thelma Mothershed (b. 1940), and Melba Pattillo Beals (b. 1941). Ernest Green was the first African American to graduate from Central High School.–Wikipedia

there is a rule for everything

headed into the Baylor Grounds
4VAC20-720-60. Day and time limit.
A.  It shall be unlawful to take, catch, or possess oysters on Saturday and Sunday from the public oyster grounds or unassigned grounds in the waters of the Commonwealth of Virginia, for commercial purposes, except that this provision shall not apply to any person harvesting no more than one bushel per day by hand or ordinary tong for household use only during the season when the public oyster grounds or unassigned grounds are legally open for harvest. 
B.  It shall be unlawful for any person to harvest or attempt to harvest oysters prior to sunrise or after 2 p.m. from the areas described in 4VAC20-720-40 B 1 through 17, and 4VAC20-720-40 B 19 and 20.  In addition, it shall be unlawful for any boat with an oyster dredge aboard to leave the dock until one hour before sunrise or return to the dock after sunset, and it shall be unlawful for any boat with a hand scrape aboard to leave the dock until one-half hour before sunrise or return to the dock after sunset.

Monticello 53rd annual

nickel porch
FOB Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor of Virginia, addressed the crowd gathered for the 53rd annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony at Monticello.


pipeline protest
Court was called into session, petitioners at Monticello took the oath of citizenship. McAuliffe posed for photos with the new citizens. I am fairly sure the Governor did not pause, on his way up to Monticello, for photos with these petitioners. The “Macster” is a deal maker. Energy companies are granted audience, common citizens can hold their breath.


new citizens
The naturalization ceremony provides a happier meditation on the strengths of our country.

“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”-Oath of Citizenship

birthday party


Fourth of July celebration and naturalization ceremony at Monticello earlier today.
The years I’ve attended the candidates for naturalization stand on the stairs of the nickel porch,
a grand stage from which to step into citizenship.


The only problem, the angle of the July sun during the ceremony challenges attendees.

spectators shield themselves
Looking down is easier than looking into the sun.

hat people
They make these clever things called hats.

dog with sunglasses
The event at Monticello is beautiful, it is rich with memory and promise. It is free. It is highly recommended.
Monticello, Saturday July 4, 2015?
Note to self, hat & sunglasses.