The USA Birthday Party Has Begun!

 

This week's Hodgepodge writing prompts focus on patriotic and summer themes, as well as the USA's 250th birthday. 

If you want to link up to participate in this week's Hodgepodge meme, click here:

http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2026/06/hodgepodge-questions-volume-660.html

1. What do you love most about your country? 

First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas

Of course, there is MUCH about America to love, but at the very top of my list is freedom of religion. We must continue to support this freedom that was the foundational intent of our forefathers as they landed on our shores. 

2. Your favorite patriotic song? 

God bless America, land that I love!

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above.

We have many great patriotic songs, but when I'm asked to narrow it down, this one, which is a prayer, says it best for me.

3. Red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Something you own besides a US flag with some combination of those colors or decorations as part of its design? 

This flag pillow was purchased about 7 years ago, probably from Hobby Lobby.

4. What's one thing you want more of this summer: fun, rest, adventure, connection, quiet, or confidence? Elaborate. 

I choose "Quiet" because at my age, I like to read, work jigsaw puzzles, do Sudoku, read and comment on the blogs I follow, have peaceful conversations, and in general just think about things. Loud, noisy venues and uncertainty about what lies around the corner tend to result in poor choices and disorder.

5. What was your ultimate, go-to summer activity when you were a kid? Do you still do any version of that today? If you answered yes, does participating in this activity as an adult make you feel like a kid? 

Sister and I spent many hours with
skates like these clamped onto
our saddle oxford shoes.

The Beach Boys' music 
reminds me of summer
and the years I lived in Southern California.

Two outdoor summer activities that stand out in my memory are roller skating the sidewalks in our apartment complex and time at the swimming pool listening to rock ’n roll on our transistor radios while we worked on a suntan. 

Here's an interesting piece of trivia: The manager of our spa/gym/pool here in my +55 community was the model for the little girl on the Coppertone suntan lotion bottle.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Here are some of the patriotic decorations from one of the gathering spots in my 55+ community:

This (below) is outside my house:

My friend, Joline, reminded me that the birds needed ribbons. I dug them out of the Christmas box, pleased to find them in a ziplock bag just under the box lid. Gary said I should have white and blue ribbons, too, but it will probably stay as it is.

Although I don't entertain whimsey to the extent that I used to, I will tell you that as I tied the ribbon on this guy's neck, he let me know a sun hat would have been more appreciated . . . . .

We had new sod installed recently, so Gary has not been in a hurry to create a new hole in the grass for the permanent receptacle for the flag pole. He took care of that this week:

This morning our community had its annual 4th of July Golf Cart Parade. We don't have a golf cart, but enjoyed watching it roll past us behind our house. Here are some of the snapshots I took:

Blessed is the nation

whose God is the LORD,

the people He chose for His inheritance.

Psalm 33:12

We experience true joy, favor, and prosperity when our foundation and loyalty are placed in the LORD.

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara