I haven’t blogged in a long time; work and other things have been keeping me pretty busy. I’ve got some ideas in the back of my head that I’ve been wanting to write about, but they haven’t firmed up into anything solid yet. I tend to write the same way I talk: I think about it first, and nothing comes out until I know exactly what I want to say. It’s slow, but it’s meant that I’ve only said a few things I’ve regretted in my life, so I don’t think it’s a bad method.

For writing, though, I think I’d be more productive if I got words down on the page as I thought about them and edited later, instead of trying to hold all my thoughts about an idea in my head until they’re edited and ready for publishing. So for this month, I’m going to try to change that, and see if I get more output that way.

No long screeds today; just a few seasonal quotes.

“The fourth of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations this from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forever.” — John Adams

“Immigrants do not come to the United States because it’s a ‘Nation Of Immigrants.’ They come because it’s a nation of Americans.” — James Fulford

“Before the camps, I regarded the existence of nationality as something that shouldn’t be noticed — nationality did not really exist, only humanity. But in the camps one learns: if you belong to a successful nation you are protected and you survive. If you are part of universal humanity — too bad for you.” — Alexander Solzhenitsyn

“Men always work harder and more readily when they work on that which belongs to them, nay, they learn to love the very soil that yields in response to the labor of their hands, not only food to eat, but an abundance of good things for themselves and those that are dear to them.” — Pope Leo XIII (Rerum Novarum, 1891)

That last one may not seem especially related to today, but there’s a connection, at least in my head. More on that another time. Happy Fourth of July, everyone!