Tag: America turns 250.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 15, 202610:57 pm

Not His House, Your House

Say what you will about Donald Trump but the man knows how to throw a birthday party. His 80th brought the UFC Freedom 250 to the South Lawn of the White House. What a spectacle it was, last night.

For all the pomp, all the celebrity, and the testosterone, the White House itself emerged as a symbol of the Trump Presidency and secondary star of the fighting event. Americans don’t get to see inside the White House. It’s locked down so tight. But through the UFC event, Trump opened the building for everyone to see–unlike any president before him. His house is your house.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJun 9, 202610:05 pm

Getting Ready for the 250th

The United States of America’s 250th birthday is weeks away. But you wouldn’t have an itsy-bitsy inkling in my San Diego neighborhood of University Heights. The measure of patriotism here is support for the next No Kings protests on June 14, 2026 or the number of paraded pride flags, which outnumber another symbol: Upside-down American flags.

So, tonight, I was delighted to pass this classic Craftsman decked out with American bunting decor and string lights. Finally, someone prepares for the Fourth of July—unless their objective is Flag Day on the Fourteenth.

Living by Joe WilcoxMay 8, 20269:25 pm

For Love of Country

I shot the Featured Image at 200 megapixels on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, yesterday. I usually just stick with the default 12MP. But, considering celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary is imminent, I chose to step it up. Vitals: f/1.4, ISO 10, 1/435 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 3:28 p.m. PDT.

The neighbor who placed the lawn decoration is patriotic, and he and his wife are involved in the local Republican party. Other signs on his street are angry, and many take positions that would appear to be deliberately hostile to his own. Unusual and revealing: The—how shall I put it—large number of opposition signs per capita. Pick any house, and someone has a liberal position or cause you are supposed to know about—and accept.