4th of July 1976

4th of July 1976

The 1976 Bicentennial celebration of America's 200th birthday was designed as a unifying healing event.  The nation was healing after, the Vietnam War, Watergate, and economic struggles.  I was 17 years old in 1976 and about to enter my senior year in high school.  The top songs on July 4th were. "Silly Little Love Song" by Wings,  "Afternoon Delight" by The Starland Vocal Band, "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore. On the television the programs were, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, MASH, Charlies Angels and the Six Million Dollar Man.  Rocky, A Star is Born, Taxi Driver and Carrie were the hot films.  There were 16 tall ships and 200 vessels from around the world cruising the Hudson River, Freedom Train went to 48 States stopping to display historical artifacts,  The Wagon Train Pilgrimage traveled from various states all ending up at Valley Forge, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip visited our cities, including Boston, DC, Philadelphia. A nation celebrated and came together after being divided on several fronts on our 200th.  I believe again we can heal and come together like July 4th, 1976.  Well, maybe without the Starland Vocal Band. timothymahar.org

I Love to Vote

To begin with I must say, I do not believe the elections in the United States are rigged at all.  How can a political party complain when they won the House, the Senate, the White House and Supreme Court, drop the mic. That is not what I am talking about here anyway.  I just love to vote. I love the entire day, the experience  of going to the local polling location the feel of community.  There are spaghetti  dinners, bake sales, just an energy throughout the day.  I feel it is a day where we are truly united regardless of who you are voting for.  On that day the entire country comes together in a unified act of democracy. No matter if you are Red, Blue, or Purple, on election day we are all Red White and Blue.  timothymahar.org

Bad "Pot Luck"

It's a given that I have many issues that can keep a therapist occupied for eternity, and one of them is my aversion to the dreaded  Pot Luck dinner or event.  To be clear this disinclination does not apply to events involving family, or friends  holiday parties or celebrations.  What  I am talking about is that large community event where your "luck" is placed in the unwashed hands of strangers.  I just don't know what went on behind the scenes with that potato, macaroni or Jell-O salad. Ziti is safe if you get there first while the cheese topping has not been destroyed, you can find a safe spot to dig into.  I will also include my distaste for buffet tables with the cheese mountains and meat trays.  No one uses tooth pick or tongs!!  Don't even get me started on the bread bowl!  timothymahar.org

The Life of ART

Art began as an accidental theme in my life back in high school when chose it as a major.  Little did I know the important role it would play in my life, through college and into my professional career. I was fortunate to have leadership roles at Syracuse University at the College of Visual and Performing Arts and Alumni Office that involved the arts.  I was in a similar role at Cornell University at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, and have spent over 30 years performing and teaching improv.  We need art in all it's forms, especially now to live.  It is like breathing, you don't think about it until you need to.  With constant restraints and restrictions trying to be force on us.  Art is our true freedom in all its forms.  You cannot restrict imagination and creativity.  "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important then knowledge.  Knowledge is limited imagination encircles the world." Albert Einstein. 1929 Saturday Evening Post interview.  timothymahar.org

The Farmers Market

Almost every city or town, urban or rural has a Farmers Market.  I have been to them from New York, all the way to Santa Monica California. I will include its cousin the Flea Market as well, which I have been to from the Big Apple to Santa Fe New Mexico.  These are places where people go to without an agenda, no rush and interact.  There is no AI at the farmers market, no push button service, you interact with those selling their produce and items.  People interact with each other. No labels no screaming, just flowers, fruit cool stuff and fresh honey.  Maybe this model is something to look at on a larger scale.  timothymahar.org