The Pursuit of Happiness

Thomas Jefferson, who composed the timeless, transcendent text below, was not only a brilliant political philosopher, but also an accomplished farmer, and the country's first real foodie. Even if he hadn't helped father this country, the fact he invented mac and cheese would have cemented his place in American history.

Whenever I read the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, I can't help wondering how that last sentence would have ended, had Jefferson not been such a passionate gourmet.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Enjoy the Fourth of July weekend, and all that you pursue.

Photo © Flickr user Aunt Owwee