Here it is! The  full translation of the famous quote by America’s venerated self-made man, Benjamin Franklin, written to a friend in France in November 1789: “Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” 

Ben FranklinBen is among the Ten I’d love to entertain at Casa Colando. He’d love the wine and spirits according to historical accounts, and I’d like to think that our home is a place where he’d fit right in, feeling welcomed and comfortable as our other guests profess. He’d certainly be an interested and interesting conversationalist.

Come on, Ben! Let’s party on, caring not for Democratic or Republican. We still have wine and little to whine about in this great country that you helped to create. Thanks again and again.

Even when it takes the full amount of the paper money with your picture on it to buy a tank of gas or dinner at a restaurant, we thank you, Ben – for helping to build America. And do come on in, for we can hardly afford to go out.