MuseLetter \’myüz-‘le-tər noun
1: a personal message, inspired by a muse of one's own creation, addressed to a person or organization, in the course of which, the sender becomes absorbed in thought; especially turning something over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively.
2: a letter from a poet, or one who envisions oneself as such, in which he or she “muses” on that which is perceived to be news, or newsworthy, usually in some ironic or absurd way.
July 2006
Fun Fact for The Fourth from Philadelphia
The July 4th Issue
On this milestone anniversary of our country, I've gone back to previous MuseLetters I've issued in regards to July 4th, to excerpt some bits and pieces which peaked my interest, tickled my fancy or are just fondly recalled. Kicking off this one with a newly created...
Semiquincentennial Minute
The Bicentennial Minutes was a popular, sponsored TV series on CBS Television, running from 1974-1976, featuring celebrities narrating short, daily historical events from 200 years prior to America's 1976 Bicentennial, offering patriotic "on this day" moments related to the American Revolution. Each ended with "I'm [name], and that's the way it was"; a nod to Walter Cronkite. In homage to that popular series, I offer such a minute in its original style and format, fifty years later. Absent of course, a celebrity narrator. I couldn't get Tom Hanks, so I'll step in here.
“I’m Ron Vazzano.
250 years ago on this day, Congress took up the issue of Independence once again. On the floor was Virginian Richard Henry Lee's motion, which read in part:
‘...That these United Colonies are, and of a right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.’
Pennsylvania delegate John Dickinson, who led off the debate, was in opposition. He argued that the colonies were unprepared to survive the consequences of declaring independence. He compared such action 'to braving the storm in a skiff made of paper.'
Discussion continued, lasting nine hours. When a preliminary vote was taken, of the 13 delegations, nine voted in favor, a majority, yet four withheld support. Including two of the largest colonies—Pennsylvania and New York—which would not set the new nation off on the right foot.
Yet this impass was resolved by the very next day, and the legal vote to break away from Great Britain took place. Two days later, Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence.
I'm Ron Vazzano and that's the way it was."
July 2017
July 2018
On a personal note my partner and I will not be going to the tip of Manhattan this July 4th,as Battery Park (Washington used to frequent it in his first two years here as President), is undergoing a massive construction project to protect the park from future storm surges. It is expected to be completed in 2027. We will instead be going up to Boston; another prominent city of course in regards to American history.
July 2020
Remembrance of that Fourth of July Catch (2005)
I had never even come close to getting a baseball hit into the stands. Not during a game…not during batting practice… not in my dreams. And to someone who isn’t a fan of the game, it’s hard to explain how in the world this matters.
When a day does come of “getting a ball,” it is often held aloft to the acknowledgment of the surrounding crowd. As if something of significance has been accomplished that warrants celebration. Or to get religious about it (and Yankee Stadium has been likened to a cathedral), on that day, one has been blessed. Singled out in some way by the baseball gods. A chosen one. Given the odds so greatly against it.
Rewind to that Fourth when I took my son to a game at old Yankee Stadium. Is there a better place to witness "...this certain game of ball" as Walt Whitman put it. And on such a day? The personification of Americana!
We got there early enough for batting practice. Seated up in the third deck. About as far away from home as was Odysseus. (Hey, I traffic in poetics, what can I say? Alright… it was more than 400 feet away if you calculate the distance using the Pythagorean theorem). Yet at 60 years old here I was, now moving down to the railing to stand maybe 15 feet closer to the field far below, on the fat chance something might this way come. My son stayed behind, opting to not join his Ahab of a father, in the quest for the Great White Ball.
Maybe ten minutes passed. Suddenly... from out yonder... thar she blows.
Off the bat. Climbing. Growing larger. Heading in my direction. Home run territory. I stand transfixed. Not an inch of body movement required. It’s right at me. As if preordained. I put up my bare hands. In the palms it firmly sticks. Caught! On the fly! Lo so far that distance from point of contact!
“Dad!"
"I can’t believe you caught that!” said son. Now abandoning his distancing from me.
August 2015
A Gig at Federal Hall
This past July 4th, I had the honor of being one of four readers of the Declaration of Independence at Federal Hall on Wall St. This was the site of Washington's inauguration in 1789.
In getting to read the concluding paragraph of this vibrant and provocative document exactly as written
(and note that that the lower case usage of united in the first sentence below is not a typo, as well as all other punctuation and capitalizations within), I heard a shout of "Yeah!" in an unintended comical stereotypical New York accent from a man in the crowd. No minching of words here.
"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly pubolish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of the Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is an ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contact Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a form reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacrd Honor.
Thus concludes the...
2021
“My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you.”
2022
Cloud photo by Ron Vazzano; Quebec, June 8, 2026; the muse is painted by Jeff Weekley 2004
July 2021
AAfter Matisse; cut out by Ron Vazzano 2014
&
Just Suppose the Juxtopostion
“Yes, it's Superman ... strange visitor from another planet, who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men! Superman ... who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way!”
If only. Seems we've lost our way. We could use some extraterrestrial help at this point.
poem by Ron Vazzano; photo by the Artemis II astronauts
