1976. The Bicentennial Year. On July 4th Kathy and Jerry hosted a fabulous party. The invitation said: Do Something You Would Do Only Once Every 200 Years.
Phyllis played the kazoo. Gertrude gave a rousing political speech. Annette unleashed her psychic powers as a fortune teller. She foretold Mitzi’s husband’s early death, but, of course, didn't tell (except to me.)
That fall Len and I dropped Bill off at college in Connecticut and drove up the coast towards Boston. I became obsessed with taking a detour to see Plymouth Rock. Having done no research, I was convinced it was a promontory easily spied by the Mayflower.
The Rock was a large stone displayed in an enclosure with greek columns. Young people wore pilgrim costumes and sold trinkets.
Boston’s celebration was much more dignified and stuck to the familiar stories. I was grateful to be in the town where it happened.
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