Thank You Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather John Hoggat for your service!

Today I had quite possibly the finest Fourth of July celebration to date. It started at 5:15 am (the wake up part wasn't so fun) to meet up with a couple of friends for a fine day of Smallmouth fishing in the South Harpeth. We were blessed to say least with an abundance of Smallies caught. I am happy to report that "no Smallmouth were injured during the creation of this blog" as we were practicing catch-and-release today. Sorry tree huggers, you can't gripe at me today! I arrived home mid afternoon to retrieve the pork loin and beef brisket that had marinating for the last two days, then it was off to my brother-in-laws for the cookout. OK tree huggers, vegetarians, and PETA now you can complain! I eat meat.... The temps outside were just right as was the company and the meal. It was about 30 minutes after dinner when World War Three broke out in my neighborhood. This is the moment when everyone within 5 miles who happens to own a lighter decides set off their fireworks. Apparently being armed with a lighter and $1000.00 worth of fireworks makes you more of man. Freud eluded to men who needed to do everything bigger than their neighbor. Man are there some deficient fellas in my neighborhood. I must admit the Freudians (that's the guys in my neighborhood) out did themselves this year. The night sky stayed lit up constantly for at least 4 hours! The night was capped off by the family reading of the Declaration of Independence and a fine cigar for the gents. This reading of the Declaration of Independence brought the day to its proper culmination. I leave you with these thoughts.... Every activity I participated in today including the freedom to write this blog was bought with a price by men of principles who believed there had to be a better way. A better way to govern, a better way to love, and a better way to live. Thank you to the men like my 5th generation grandfather, John Hoggat, who fought in the American Revolution so that I may enjoy these rights guaranteed to me. Thanks to all who have fought and fallen in wars since that time to preserve those rights. God Bless America!
Topher