I've always liked the Janis Joplin song (or is it a Joan Baez song?) -- "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose...." In the deepest sense of the lyrics, this evokes a highly romanticized view of freedom and one that makes so much sense. It makes me think of war widows, soldiers who died for the sake of freedom, and people who've lost everything in a fire or a storm. After the initial feeling of dread and extreme loss, do they feel lighter in some way or freer? If one were to sing the lyrics "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose...." while driving away from a recent loss...maybe it would feel like a self imposed loss. A rejection of the power that material things possess over us.

So what is freedom? Freedom from loss? Or Freedom from Gain? Since one person's loss is another person's gain. It could be freedom from both.

In my case, I decided to gain freedom from my routine, my home, my neighborhood -- all things familiar. How did I do this? By driving out into the beautiful Virginia Countryside. Maybe that will become routine some day and I'll seek freedom from that too. But for now, here are some pictures from the outback countryside. While getting out into the wilderness, I found civilization by stumbling upon the Phillip Carter Winery of Virginia just in time for a tour.

Driving back, listening to a local Classic Rock station, I noticed the songs being played were "Rebel Yell," "I Shot the Sheriff," and Don Mclean's "American Pie;" So what message does that send in the context of defining freedom?

'Course this blog could grow into a long drawn out discussion of politics, the sixties music scene and more...but for now I'm going to let you do the thinking. Maybe your comments can help grow the blog into a long-drawn out discussion. Feel free to comment and beome a follower :). I have none so far.

Here are the lyrics of the beautiful song referenced above. I found them on this Web site while browsing. The link to the winery is included too; although, either of the links may have to be removed, if the owners don't want publicity -- can't imagine why!! :).

A Happy Fourth to you .

http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/m/meandbobbymcgee.shtml

http://www.virginiawine.org/wineries/philip-carter-winery-of-virginia