Constitution Day

Daniel Carroll (July 22, 1730 – July 5, 1796) was a politician and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a prominent member of one of America's great colonial families that included his cousin Charles Carroll of Carrollton who signed the Declaration of Independence, and his brother John Carroll who was the first Catholic bishop in the United States. He was one of only five men to sign both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United States.

On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. I am so proud that my ancestors were a part of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Both Daniel and Charles Carroll of Carrollton played integral parts in the founding of our government that we use today. I have written on previous posts about how my great, great (etc.) grandfather Charles signed the Declaration of Independence, but I failed to mention that his cousin Daniel was also involved in putting the Constitution together. I wonder if they knew at the time what a huge part of American history they were creating?

In honor of Constitution Day, the kid's school wanted everyone to wear red, white and blue. Mr. K and I joined in on the patriotic gesture, too. A lot has changed in American politics, especially over the past several months. But one thing will always remain the same~ our freedom and independence, and the great document that paved the way for what America is today... at least that is what I hope for.

Freedom of Speech

How have you liked my blog lately?

Please give me some feedback. I have written about a few new things recently. These topics include some of my family heritage, such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence from my great (etc) grandfather (pictured above), Charles Carroll of Carrollton and the writing of my great grandmother's (Bess Carroll Brendel) historical novel, "That's the Way It Was" which has a spot in the Library of Congress. In her book, my great-grandma (Nonna B) talks about her childhood growing up on a big plantation, Old Chesterfield. All of this is part of my family legacy and American history, and as some say, "it is what it is" (or was). I have taken a huge interest in my family roots currently.


Yet, this is an e-mail I received from a fellow writing friend:

"...sensitivity to discretion was lost on some of your recent posts."

I am truly sorry if I have offended anyone. I was simply trying to share a little information of my family, and the major roles they played in this nation's history. A nation that our forefathers hoped would remain independent and free of socialism. I am a conservative person who was raised to "keep my mouth shut and opinions to myself" as any Southern belle would do. Well, I have finally found a way to speak out- through my writing. Ironically, the very person who made the above comment is the same one who has given me courage to speak out, and I am grateful to her for that!

I am proud this country allows us freedom of speech and thought. So feel free to speak your mind, too, on my comments...can't wait!

Are You Proud?

While we were at Disney World, we had the opportunity to watch spectacular fireworks every night. This was a true treat, since we usually only see fireworks like that on the 4th of July, a day which we Americans celebrate our nation's independence. How proud are you to be an American? Perhaps you, like me, don't truly comprehend the depth of our independence, but my husband, Pete (and other military people who have gone overseas to fight for our freedom) understands the breadth of our liberation. Today is Flag Day, a day in which we should proudly hang our flags and demonstrate how proud we are to be Americans. The 4th of July is only a few weeks away, and then, too, we may honor who we are. Our flag hangs from now until the 4th, because we are so proud to be free. When our country was attacked on 9-11 by terrorists, that freedom was taken from us. George W. Bush had just become our president, and he vowed to never let those terrorists rape us again like they did. I think Bush did a mighty splendid job keeping us safe. In fact, I think that was his major objective while in office. The pitfalls our economy is undergoing right now are an accumulation of many varying factors, many of which are world-wide. How can someone blame our president for something that started on the other side of the country with shipping and other world-wide business, and trickled down to our nation? I think these people are just looking for someone to blame. Remember- when you point the finger, four more are pointing back to you. Don't judge a person unless you have walked in his shoes. I must say, Obama is NOT who I voted for, but I hold nothing against him. I think he is doing a fine job- and it is not his fault either that our country is in this mess. I see bumper stickers around town that say "Impeach Obama"- there they go pointing fingers again.

Did you know my great ancestor signed the "Declaration of Independence"? Yes- it's true. His name was Charles Carroll of Carrolltonhttp://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03379c.htm and he was proud to be an American after coming over here with his family to flee from religious persecution. On my mother's side, the Carroll family was very prominent in the South. We still have land in Louisiana from that time.Charles is remembered in the third stanza of the state song 'Maryland, My Maryland':

Thou wilt not cower in the dust,(Maryland!)Thy beaming sword shall never rust,(Maryland!)Remember Carroll's sacred trust,Remember Howard's warlike thrust,-And all thy slumberers with the just,Maryland! My Maryland!

Are you proud to be an American? If so, please tell me why. America is a great place to live, or at least it has been. Hopefully we can keep running on a fair democracy and not let socialism take over. I don't think our founding forefathers, my great, great, great grandfather, would have wanted that for this country. Let's unify and move on, instead of pointing the fingers at past people who did their best (don't parent's do their best at the time, but someone always blames them, too?).