I'm Gretchen Rubin and this is a little happier. I sometimes get what I call my

America feeling. I get it when I vote or when I see the Statue of Liberty or when I read the preamble to the Constitution, or when I hear certain songs.

For instance, I'm overwhelmed by my America feeling whenever I listen to the very funny song, The Farmer and the Cowman, from the

Rogers and Hammerstein, 1943 Musical, Oklahoma.

With that song, I get so worked up that I actually get tears in my eyes. It's that line when Aunt Eller sings, I'd like to teach you all a little saying

and learn the words by heart the way you should. I don't say I'm no better than anybody else,

but I'll be danged if I ain't just as good.

That song makes me choke up because it's one of the great dreams of the United States.

I don't say I'm no better than anybody else, but I'll be danged if I ain't just as good.

Recently I attended the Memorial Service for Supreme Court

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Years ago I served as one of her clerks so I had a

role to play in the ceremonies marking her death.

We attended the funeral service at National Cathedral,

which was very beautiful and grand,

but also personal and funny.

At the very end, we all sang America the Beautiful.

And when we came to the middle verse, which I did not remember,

I was overcome by my America feeling.

Here are the words to that verse.

Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.

America, God mend thine every flaw.

Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.

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