Happy Patriots’ Day to all my fellow Massholes and Maine-iacs. Patriots’ Day is one of my favorite holidays of the year, and it has nothing to do with the fact that my favorite thing in the whole world (New England Patriots) seeing as I am a geeky history buff. I am forever fascinated by the events of April 19, 1775

As usual, I am not given a Monday holiday off, but I think I’ve bitched about that more than enough. If anything, I am going to use this opportunity of being in a silent office to catch up on my knitting and my homework.

I might even squeeze in a few newspaper-related items but that’s only if things come in, of course. That’s the numero uno drawback of my job… it hinges on the work of others (e.g. graphic designers who send in their ads; writers who email their stories on time). Since most of them have today off, I’m left with only what the real go-getters sent me on Friday.

Concord Hymn
Ralph Waldo Emerson

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, or leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.