July 4th.

 

Happy Birthday America.. 

 SATURDAY 9: God Bless America 

Unfamiliar with Connie Francis' version of this song? Hear it here.

1) Irving Berlin's lyrics celebrate our mountains, prairies, and oceans. Which of these geographical features is nearest your home?               The ocean and a forest

2) Berlin donated his royalties from "God Bless America" to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. Were you ever a Scout?

 Yes and went all the way to receive my curved bar  which is like Eagle Scout for boys.

3) While this week's song has been recorded many times, we're concentrating on Connie Francis' 1959 version. It was never intended to be a hit, released as the B-side to her popular "Among My Souvenirs." But it took off when it was played at school rallies and patriotic events. Do you know all the lyrics to "God Bless America?" Could you sing along with Connie?

Yes, sure I can.

4) After she wrote her autobiography, Connie said she wanted Valerie Bertinelli to play her in the movie. Even though Valerie isn't known for her singing, Connie liked that they were both Italian-American and 5'5". If we made a movie of your life, who should play you?   

Kermit the Frog 

5) Connie had a passionate romance with Bobby Darin, and their relationship is included in the Broadway show about Bobby's life, Just In Time. While Connie expressed her support for the production, she never saw the show because hip problems made flying difficult. How about you? Are you dealing with any aches or pains today?   Always.

6) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen?

No and there is a lot of evidence it actually pushes the development skin problems.

7) More beer is purchased for the 4th of July than any other holiday. What beverage will be served with your July 4th meal?   Whatever people ask for.

8) Emergency rooms expect an increase over the July 4th holiday. The most common causes are sports injuries (like jammed wrists and wrenched knees) and the unwise use of home fireworks. Have you  been to the ER or Urgent Care during 2026?

 No b'h and I hope not too at all.

9) New York is home to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest every year on the 4th. Will hot dogs be consumed in your household this weekend?  Yes.

Tuesday 4 for the 4th

It's time again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and this week our friend Susan  suggested the topic of decorating our homes for the holidays, espcially for the 4th of July as it is the USA's 250th birthday.  So, lets do that.

On July 4, 1776 we declared our independence from the British Empire and King George III  when the First Continental Congress sst forth the Declaration of Independence.

We became a free and sovereign, independent nation on

September 3, 1783 

1. Will or have you decorated for the holiday? If you don't reside in the USA, do you have a special holiday you decorate for on the outside of your home?

I have a little flag out in a hanging flower basket.  I do have a very large flag for the side of the house but no light for it and I can't reach it anymore to put it out.  I feel bad about that.

I am looking for a solar light to point at my big flag which would be in a wrought iron holder I have on the side of the house.  Then I can put it out permanently.

2. What special little touches do you add to  the outside of your home?  Baskets of hanging flowers, 

I have 2 of these light up solar wind chimes in my yard.  I got them on Amazon under solar powered wind chimes.

I have statuary of an alligator , herons, and a boy and a girl by my ponds.   

 Do you enjoy puttering around in your yard?  YES YES YES

3. Are plants and shrubs an important part of your house decor?

Absolutely.  And if you can't afford them use what grows around you naturally but  prune it, dress it, keep it nice.

If you can't afford flowers find some in the woods or a field and transplant them in bunches to your yard. Make it look pretty.

My land is very sandy soil but it grows wild fern and moss in great abundance so I cultivate it and make it look nice.

4.  On which holidays do you spend time deoorating either inside , outside or both?   Really only Thanksgiving, the December holidays ,

I planted this as a seedling I brought home from Lake Placid, NY.

This is wild mint on my big pond.

Wild fern, moss, wild growing trees in my yard

Thanks for joining in this week and I hope you will join in again often.