This past weekend we celebrated the 233nd anniversary of the
adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Somehow representation does not take the sting out of taxation, but we’re sure the Chinese appreciate our July 4th celebrations almost as much as we do. Roanoke put on a splendid fireworks display which we enjoyed from the roof of our house. The local festivities 
went well into the night, and I’m confident that more than one finger was blown off in southeast Roanoke.
We also think that Jefferson’s assurance that all men are created equal (sorry ladies!) is due to his preceding a certain Bruce Richardson (a.k.a. “Bluce”) by about 170 years. 
We think Bruce was created slightly better than your average guy, and we’re sure glad to know him. He had a July 5th birthday and we had the privilege of celebrating with him over endless plates of raw fish and bottomless hot sake, followed by a 3-D movie. Happy Birthday Bluce!
