Hello Friends!

On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate 250 years of independence. I will be taking the next few weeks to share some tidbits and facts about this nation you may or may not know. Let’s start with the first 50 years, 1776 to 1826,

When I think about America’s early days, I picture serious men in powdered wigs and tights making history, but the reality was a lot more chaotic and entertaining. In 1776, the Founding Fathers declared independence from Great Britain and then spent years trying to figure out how to actually run the place. Imagine getting hired to run the Houston Rodeo without ever actually attending it. That was basically America in the beginning.

One of the most famous Founding Father rivalries was between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. They were close friends, then political enemies, then friends again. It was a bit like being invited to a birthday party this year, skipped next year, and maybe invited again the year after. Jefferson and Adams spent years exchanging letters debating politics, government, and just about everything else. Imagine having a great comeback line ready, but by the time it actually reaches your rivalry, they’ve completely forgotten what it was about due to 4-6 weeks USPS delivery delay.

One of the funniest disagreements between Jefferson and Adams was over what to call the president. Adams liked big, royal-sounding titles. Jefferson thought that was exactly the kind of thing America had just fought a war to escape. Jefferson pushed for the simple “Mr. President,” and that’s what stuck. In modern terms, Jefferson and Adams were the original social media commenters… just with ink, paper, and way more time to think of a good comeback.

The first White House wasn’t very presidential. When Adams moved in in November 1800, parts of the building were still unfinished. His wife Abigail reportedly hung laundry in the East Room because it was one of the only unused spaces. Imagine touring the White House and accidentally walking into President Adams underwear on laundry day.

The most interesting and final moment in the famous rivalry came on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—when both Jefferson and Adams died on the same day, just hours apart. Adams reported last words were, “Thomas Jefferson survives,” not knowing Jefferson had already passed earlier that day. In a very ironic twist, they both got the “last word” in history. Although, in the end, they had already softened their rivalry into friendship.

America wasn’t built by perfect people. It was built by brilliant, stubborn, passionate, dramatic people trying to figure things out as they went. It has been a work in progress since July 4, 1776. The ongoing work in progress is what makes America what it is today!

Sunday, June 7th

Monday, June 8th

Take time to slow down and refresh your mind.

Tuesday, June 9th

Wednesday, June 10th

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Wed, June 3: Mostly sunny, hot & humid — 92° / 77°
Thu, June 4: Sunshine with a slight afternoon storm chance — 91° / 77°
Fri, June 5: Partly cloudy and muggy — 92° / 78°
Sat, June 6: Hot with scattered afternoon thunderstorms — 90° / 77°
Sun, June 7: Sun and clouds with summer humidity — 91° / 76°
Mon, June 8: Mostly sunny, hot & breezy — 93° / 77°
Tue, June 9: Warm and humid with isolated storms — 92° / 78°

We've officially reached the time of year when your sunglasses fog up before you make it to the car. Welcome to summer in Bay Area Houston! ☀️🌴

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Jessica Johnson

Publisher/Founder

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