Friday 4 July 2008

We hold these truths to be self-evident

My first July 4!

We had a fairly low-key day, though very pleasant for all that... we resisted buying any fireworks from the plethora of stands that have sprung up round the neighbourhood, but we still looked the part, thanks to a local realtor who planted flags on the grass verge outside every house in the subdivision... that's his business card at the bottom.


Dave and I decided to go to Bayou Bend for their open day; we became members of the Museum of Fine Arts a couple of weeks ago, and heard about the open day from their e-news. Bayou Bend is a wonderful old house, surrounded by beautiful gardens, almost in the centre of the city (though you'd never know while there); the legacy of the incredibly named Ima Hogg, it showcases a wonderful collection of American furniture, art and ceramics, mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries.

But of course, I liked the gardens best...






After we'd been there for around an hour, there was a reading of the Declaration of Independence from the terrace,


while 'God Save the King*' was played.


* Actually, it was 'Our Country, Tis of Thee', but I didn't know it was sung to that tune, and was rather bemused by the choice of music til Dave explained it to me.

7 comments:

unkleE said...

Are you sure that garden is in Houston, Texas? You didn't disappear down some wormhole (or rabbit hole) and end up in Europe???

Anonymous said...

seb just fell head first into the bin (lounge room, craning his neck to get closer to the tv!)...not exactly falling into a rabbit hole... but made me think of it...

the boys miss you

he is fine now aftr a cuddle and aftr letting him climb the stairs to the top of the building - you remember how much they love doing that

lovely snaps - very green considering how hot it is there. it is cooler here today, overcast and cosy

Kathryn said...

oh, I miss the boys too! :(
I would love to teleport there for just ten minutes, and watch them climbing the stairs... well do I remember how much they love that :)

it was actually quite a rainy day, but it killed the heat (though the humidity was pretty much 100%) so I think it made it more pleasant to wander about outside :)

and yes, it's very European, isn't it dad... I wish we'd known about the house while you guys were here; you'd both have really enjoyed it

oh well, something for next time ;)

Anonymous said...

You know...when I lived in Scotland and first heard them playing "My Country 'tis of thee," I thought that was an odd choice... :)

You should probably know that a flag on your lawn is the gateway drug to more potent stuff like oversized belt buckles and a gun rack on your...well anything with wheels. :) Hope you had a happy first 4th!

Anonymous said...

i hope you kept the flag - i love that kind of stuff, and it is a great pic of your place too

Anonymous said...

Alright, I need to move to Texas. There's nothing cool in Detroit :(

Kathryn said...

yes, I kept the flag; it's hanging up in the garage waiting for the next occasion for patriotism :D
special occasion, I mean ;)

though of course my Australian flag is far larger...

resisting the belt buckles so far, moxy! though I've seen a VERY good deal on a gun rack...