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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JULY 2024 17 Bath! I'm taking a bath! Hey! I'm taking a bath! I'm taking a soapy Sudsy Oh, so foamy Big ol' bath! Just thought you should know at I'm taking a bath! Now I'm going to shake Now that feels so good Now if you'll excuse me I really should run back upstairs To finish my bath Bath! By Suzette Strauss, Resident There is, indeed, no place like the United States of America. My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty. I have always been a very patriotic person, therefore, in celebration of Independence Day, I thought it appropriate to tip my hat to the best nation in the world. Having lived from sea to shining sea, the U.S.A. never ceases to amaze me, though I haven't seen all 50 states… yet. There is beauty and wonders everywhere to behold. I believe my appreciation for our great country came from caravaning through and eventually living in a third world country. I spent several years of my childhood and teens in British Honduras. I was there when they gained their independence and became Belize, though remained a member of the Commonwealth because Guatemala wanted to take over if the British soldiers ever left. I thought we were poor when I left California, but living in Belize helped me understand true poverty. Then more recently, I went to Peru in 2019. I met many wonderful people, and visited many underprivileged areas that broke my heart. My group was approached by refugees from Venezuela trying to sell stacks of their country's 100-dollar bills for as much U.S. dollars as anyone would offer, because they were mere souvenirs, having no value under their new government. As I approached the escalator, having landed safely in America the Beautiful, I took this photo and thought, "There's No Place Like Home." Our flag, that we pledge allegiance to here, still stands for freedom and I ask, "Do you know at least the preamble of our great Constitution?" "We the people, of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice and secure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the General Welfare and secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America." Thank you to all our SDV Veterans who gave of yourselves in service to our country. Freedom is never free. I appreciate you and your sacrifice! There's No Place Like Home Submitted By Linda Weiss, Resident Another excerpt from my wonderful little book I Could Chew on is by Francesco Marciuliano. I hope you enjoy it. Bath