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The world knows about Hamilton, An American Musical. And about how Lin Manuel Miranda started working on it 6 years ago and got the idea after beginning to read Hamilton by Chernow. I love that time in History –The men who signed the Declaration were signing their own death warrents, willing to die for a belief in an idea, for a possibility that this thing called independence could work. For more than the last 200 years we have been trying. Back when we were all fed up with govenment–(actually when haven’t we been fed up with government?)–a marvelous TV show came on called The West Wing. I am also a fan of TWW. In fact a few months ago I decided my write in candidate should be Josiah Bartlett. I believe that during this particularly politically devisive time we have found Hamilton to be our unifying thing. Back in the beginning, our beginning as a country, we were led by truly intelligent, well educated and moral people. Yes, they were mostly men but there were a number of women who’s hands were found guiding ideas from time to time. One only needs to look at the Adams letters to see a marriage of educated equals. The women behind the men are of much interest.

So back to the Revolution. A number of years ago–1985 to be exact–I was drifting off to sleep when I saw in my head what I thought would be the opening action of a book. It turns out to come later now in the story. It spurred off my Revolutionary war novel. I worked on it and two others, had two kids, two dogs and a marriage(all of which are still present and accounted for except the first of the two dogs) and ultimately set the book aside when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 09. I had researched and was diligently working on that book plus another one when I was diagnosed and all came to a full stop. I wrote a blog and worked on non-fiction my mind too preoccupied with living to keep two different fictional worlds going.

But today is today–and here I find myself reenthused by Hamilton, enthused by my daughter’s awesome grade in Gov due to the soundtrack and wanting to get these two NF books out and done so I can reintroduce myself to the characters in my book and get excited again about what it took to begin from scratch. I know I have to go back to the 197 pages I have wrtten and outline them and write character descriptions and start my research again. I have forgotten much I learned back then. It is all attainable in the research materials I have. So there it is waiting for me just to the left of my computer.

We, my daughter and I, got to see Hamilton two weeks ago. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. I am blessed I got a chance to see the show but I understand they are filming it so people everywhere will be able to see it. I found it fascinating that the show is even better than the soundtrack album as the company has found more nuances in performing and brings even more passion to the show. I can’t wait to see the tape they are making and maybe even get to see the show when it comes to California next year.

I bought the #Hamiltome–I find it fascinating to read the side notes and yes I did notice the homage to various musicals that were written in. South Pacific being one of my all time favorites and one I did in high school, there is no getting past me the ideas behind the song, Carefully Taught. As a parent we see in other children the lessons of their parents and in our own children the lessons we have taught them.

I have no idea when my Revolutionary War book will come out. I only know that it will but I am grateful to the enthusiasm renewed by the exceptional work of Lin Manuel Miranda and his team.