Thirty-two years ago: On inauguration day in 1977 I was sick and stayed home from school. Recall, if you will (if you’re that old), that this was a time before cable television. There were three major networks, one public network, and a few independents in the Houston area. An unelected president (Gerald Ford) was running in his first election against Jimmy Carter. Carter won with 50.1% of the popular vote.

I spent the whole day on the couch, under a blanket with a slight fever, drinking lots of liquids and exhausting a box of klenex. And I watched coverage all day of the inaugural. Jimmy Carter being sworn in. His speech (which i don’t really recall). The parade that occurs from the Capitol to the White House. I remember that Carter walked the entire way – a rare occurrence.

From the Bicentennial on July 4, 1976, through the election and inauguration of a new president, I remember that being a very Red, White, and Blue year.