Happy Independence Day!

MY TWO CENTS
Laughter is the fireworks of the soul.… What would life be without laughter? It sparks such joy and connection with family and friends. It creates a bond when laughter is shared just as there is that experience of watching fireworks with others. There is beauty and something very awe-inspiring in both laughter and fireworks. Maybe it’s the innocence that is often experienced when either is shared.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Josh Billings (April 21, 1818-October 14, 1885) was the pen name for Henry Wheeler Shaw, who was a humorist and an essayist. He became a journalist after trying many other careers such as a farmer, explorer and auctioneer. Shaw was married to Zipha E. Branford and they had a daughter, Grace Shaw. He used his wit under his pen name that appealed to those of his time, and I would assume his other careers gave him the insight to many of his writings. Shaw traveled and gave lectures. His folksy wisdom and writings were very well liked, and I have read that he was probably second to Mark Twain in his following.

FEATURED FLOWER
Common Name: Stokes’ Aster. Latin Name: Stokesia laevis. Photographed @ New York Botanical Garden.

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