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Flag

 Flag Day has come and gone. In Maplewood, it passed without comment. When I was growing up, there was an annual moment of silence around the school flag; there were also daily recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance.


I'm not a great fan of patriotism; I do plan to watch "Reservation Dogs" this summer. It's striking to me that one of the final episodes of "Hacks" involves a high-visibility "land acknowledgment"; this practice has actually just *disappeared* from my local theater, the Paper Mill Playhouse. (My husband half-jokingly suggests that the removal of the land acknowledgment surely has something to do with a threat from Trump.)

New York City seems ambivalent toward the anniversary of the American Revolution. At the Met, there is one small room with a tiny exhibit called "Revolution!" (The room generally seems to be empty.) The Frick has resurrected one of the Gilbert Stuart images of George Washington--but, with Goya and Rembrandt beckoning, I sense that Gilbert Stuart is not getting a lot of love. 

On the other hand, Christopher Jackson has just announced a return commitment to "Hamilton." An announcement timed with the arrival of Flag Day? In a country so troubled, it seems we all can agree that a singing gig for Christopher Jackson is a great thing.

"I assume he needs money?" says my spouse.

"Well, HBO covertly canceled Sex and the City...."

Enough of that thinking. My sense of wonder is still--really, truly!--going strong.
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