Patty at Good Better Best hosts this monthly sharing of tips, tricks, and conversation starters. With Independence Day coming up and America celebrating 250 years of freedom, we are talking about America 250 this month, and I'm here for it!
1. Are you excited about America 250?
I'm very excited about it, but quietly disappointed that we've not been able to do much in the way of the special celebratory things. I signed up to get the America 250 email newsletters from my state and there have been quite a few events noted there that we would enjoy - or would have enjoyed - but the timing or distance hasn't worked out. This isn't a year we're going to see the kids in Maryland for Independence Day either, otherwise I would have been excited about going to Washington DC that weekend. I'd love to see the new and improved reflecting pool and the now-functioning fountains that have been restored.
I am passionately patriotic, maybe partly because we emigrated here and worked for our status and citizenship. This is the greatest country on earth, with the best system of government and respect for the rights of citizens. Not perfect, obviously, but there's no place on earth that is better.
2. Did you purchase any fun America 250 items?
I've purchased a few extra patriotic decor items that are not specifically America 250, and also a couple of clothing items that are flag or USA themed, but only one t-shirt that mentions America 250. Time got away from me, because I'm going to buy a couple of things right from the America 250 collection but I won't have them in time for the Fourth.
3. Do you make any red, white and blue themed appetizers, sides or desserts?
I have tried on occasion but I don't have anything that is a standard. If anything I decorate a cake or cupcakes or whatever with white icing and red and blue sprinkles or something like that. My family also celebrates Canada Day on July 1st, and even more importantly, my daughter's birthday in the first week of July, so any cake or dessert has usually been whatever she wanted for her birthday.
4. Do you like fireworks?
We love fireworks! We watch fireworks any time we can!
5. Do you dress in red, white and blue themes?
I have one summer dress that I picked out especially because the print is red, white, and blue but not the flag, and one summer top that also has a red, white, and blue print that is not a flag. This year, I bought a new flag themed top, and a new summery t-shirt dress that is very patriotically red, white, and blue.
6. What are your plans for the 4th of July?
We don't have specific plans at this point, although I'm pretty sure our church will host a family day celebration that will include watching the local fireworks. It's only a week away so we'd better figure it out! Somehow we'll get together with our son and his family, and we will definitely be taking in some fireworks and whatever other patriotic celebratory events are happening nearby. I have some ideas but those haven't translated to actual plans yet.
7. Do you remember the bicentennial in 1976?
I sure do! I was nine years old, and that summer (as was often the case) my family spent some of our summer vacation in the USA, in eastern Washington, Idaho, and I think Montana. I don't remember exactly where we went, but I do remember that every town, no matter how small, was decked out with flags and bunting and patriotic decoration, and I loved it. Even though we were Canadian and how could I have known that someday I'd be an American, all the flags and red, white, and blue would be so deeply and personally beloved to me.
8. What is your favorite patriotic song?
God Bless America and America the Beautiful are a tie for my favorite. Honestly I think one of those should be the national anthem, but that's just me.
9. Favorite 4th of July memory?
This is not a memory that is about the 4th of July but what I was doing on the 4th that year. It was the year my daughter was born. She had been born the day before so we were both still in the hospital. I was disappointed that my room was on the opposite side of building from where the city's fireworks were visible, and I couldn't see them. I could hear them though, and had been completely supportive of my husband taking the boys to see fireworks with some friends. That may have been the quietest 4th of July for me since moving to the US.
My other "quiet" 4th of July stands out in my memory too. It was in 2022, and I'd had my knee replacement done just a couple days earlier, so I wasn't going much farther than from the sofa to the bathroom. My daughter had a bunch of friends over to celebrate her birthday and we watched fireworks on TV, probably from DC or New York. I made it out onto our front porch to watch the local fireworks off in the distance too.
10. Have you every participated in a local 4th of July parade or event?
I haven't. I have attended events but haven't been IN a 4th of July parade or performed at an event.
Are you excited for America 250? Leave a comment and let me know!
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