Wow, suddenly July is behind us and I'm not quite sure how it happened so quickly. I even missed posting for 1 August, the
Swiss National Day. This is the second year in a row that I haven't been in Switzerland for the holiday, which is celebrated in each commune with parades, carnivals, and fireworks ... and with the
Swiss national anthem. The holiday was officially adopted in 1993 and first celebrated in 1994. The date was inspired by the date of the
Federal Charter of 1291, "early August." The national anthem (known variously as
Schweizerpsalm, Cantique suisse, Salmo svizzero, Psalm svizzer) was adopted in 1981. It was composed much earlier - in 1841 - and frequently sung at patriotic events even before it was officially declared to be the national anthem. Lyrics exist in all four of the official Swiss languages: German, French, Italian and
Romansh. Unfortunately, even after nearly 16 years in Switzerland, I am still unable to sing it. I am not alone. Many Swiss don't know it at all and only a small percentage can recite the whole song. In fact, when it is time to sing at the national holiday celebration, sheets of song lyrics are distributed to everyone so that all can attempt to sing it. And so we do, with gusto, even if our tuneful accuracy is wanting.
On the other hand, I don't believe that too many Americans know all the verses to "The Star-Spangled Banner," our own national anthem. I know that I don't.
One reason why the final days of July literally flew is that both Princess Butterfly's calendar of events and
Southwest Airlines ticketing allowed me to book a last-minute round-trip to
Las Vegas in order to see the Princess and her family, whom I hadn't seen in the flesh for nearly a year. I couldn't miss such an opportunity. What a difference a year makes! And now I am flush with recent photos!
Princess Butterfly, together with her mom, Sweet M and siblings, Princess M and Prince M, spent the Fourth of July holiday in Montana - where the summer weather is much more civilized, IMHO,
even if some of the "facilities" might be more rudimentary.
She was also able to visit with her other doting Grandmom there.
While visiting, she spent time coloring her favorite subjects.
Posing with Sweet M was one way to relax.
And the Princess had a very good "princess" day - all told.
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