It will be a toss up between sheltering at home in the house or out in the backyard for this July 4th, the American day of Independence. I’m ok with a subdued holiday being not one for big gatherings even when we are not in the middle of an epidemic. Not a happy holiday for us in America this year. It’s been a little over 3 months since we started ‘shelter in place’ in California. I am now used to having my groceries delivered or doing curb side pick up. The libraries are still closed to patrons but we can do curbside pick up there as well. I just signed up for an online exercise class. I have been very sedentary. What would we do without our computers and the internet. I continue to discover more about my ancestors with genealogy research. Recently looked back at some who lived in New York in the early 1800s. It bothers me when I can’t find out what happened to them though. A daughter of my 5th Great Uncle was named Eramina. She was born about 1808. The only way I know she existed is from an Abstract of Wills of Delaware County (1834).  On a title page it lists the names of the uncle’s children. So I know when she was born but so far I can not find out any other information about her. I can try to imagine what her life was like. She would have been a tot during the War of 1812. She would not have heard the battle near Baltimore at Fort McHenry.

Artist’s depiction of Bombardment of Fort McHenry via Wikimedia.org

She lived in Middletown, Delaware County, New York.

Delaware County by Doug Kerr on Flickr.com

I wonder if she ever heard ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ sung.

We won’t watch fireworks displays this year but I don’t mind that. I can put up with the restrictions on my life right now especially when I know it is preventing the spread of infection. The choice to maintain these restrictions to help stamp out the infection or being reckless is not a toss up.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday, #SOCS,  is hosted by Linda G Hill. The prompt word for today is ‘toss.’