Sweet chumsies, it’s July 10…so time for 10 on the 10th 07.2020. Today we’re waving Old Glory and talking patriotism. Officially, Independence Day has come and gone but we can still share our love of country. And of all things red, white and blue – or whatever colors are considered patriotic where you live!!
I selected ‘patriotism’ for the July theme because, well…4th of July is my nation’s birthday. But I know not all of you are Americans. And some who are American may be feeling less than patriotic with all that has gone on in our country recently. Maybe thinking on these questions will uplift our sense of patriotism and love of country.
Just a reminder: Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click or make a purchase from a link provided I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
10 QUESTIONS ABOUT PATRIOTISM
I am hopeful that some bloggers from countries other than just the United States will join in for this post. It’s fun to learn more about Independence Day or how other nations’ birthdays are celebrated, don’t you think?
The Questions
I give you the 10 questions I posed to myself…and hopefully, others.
- When is your country’s birthday?
- What are your country’s patriotic colors?
- Do you wear those colors on Independence Day or your nation’s birthday?
- Do you fly a flag at your home? Decorate for Independence Day?
- How do you feel about wearing the flag?
- How do you celebrate your country’s birthday?
- What is your favorite patriotic song?
- Do you visit the cemetery for Memorial or Veteran’s Day? Any family members in the military?
- How do you vote: absentee, early or on the day of?
- What is your favorite patriotic holiday food?
My Answers
Even though I came up with the questions, these were still fun to answer!!
First 5
- When is your country’s birthday? July 4. I remember celebrating the bicentennial. It was a big deal! Our family went on a grand tour of many of the country’s national parks.
- What are your country’s patriotic colors? Red, white and blue and prints with stars, stripes and bald eagles!!
- Do you wear those colors on Independence Day or your nation’s birthday? Not always. Never have been a huge fan of red, white and blue together. Feels kind of contrived. For a few years, I tried to buy one of Old Navy’s $5 patriotic tees but always waited too late to get one, long after they had run out of most sizes. Finally last year I snatched one up before they were gone. And right now, they are on sale for $3.97 in navy, red, white or gray and in most sizes. Shop here. This year, I waited til the last minute to order a R,W&B kimono…but Amazon Prime came through for me.
- Do you fly a flag at your home? Decorate for Independence Day? Yes, and yes!! Not always but we did both this year. Check us out right here.
- How do you feel about wearing the flag? I never really thought much about it until I was in my late teens and it was a thing. Folks were wearing flag patches and embroidered flags on everything. I remember someone saying it seemed anti-American to have flag back pockets on your jeans. Kind of like sitting on the flag. And these days I don’t wear the flag because PC thinks it is disrespectful. And I respect him for feeling that way. So, I wear stars and stripes but not a flag.
Second 5
- How do you celebrate your country’s birthday? Lots of different ways. For years, it meant a day at the beach, a parade – one year we saw Willard Scott in the parade in Panama – a cookout. Some years, it has been a baseball game and fireworks. But this year was pretty quiet. Thanks, Covid. Didn’t even barbecue. Fixed this Salisbury steak recipe in the crockpot. But served it on flag plates. Oooo, was that disrespectful?
- What is your favorite patriotic song? Hard one. I remember learning “You’re a Grand Old Flag” in elementary school and loving to sing it. It’s more singable for those of us who can’t sing than, say…”The Star-Spangled Banner” or “America the Beautiful.” However, I love the imagery created by the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there. Or amber waves of grain, purple mountain majesties and a fruited plain. Beautiful in my book. I also love some of the patriotic country songs like “God Bless the U.S.A.” and “Where Were You?”
- Do you visit the cemetery for Memorial or Veteran’s Day? Any family members in the military? We visit the National Cemetery at Ft. Bliss at least once a year. It is such a moving experience. I wrote about one encounter with a family at the cemetery, here. My father was in the 82nd Airborne for 4 years at the end of World War II. My Prince is a 23 year Army veteran. Salute!
- How do you vote: absentee, early or on the day of? I voted absentee when I was stationed over seas. Try to vote early when we remember to do so. But there is just something about voting the day-of. Especially for a presidential election.
- What is your favorite patriotic holiday food? I like it all. But probably grilled hot dogs are at the top of the list. Or a bratwurst with grilled peppers and onions. And ice cream. Preferably homemade. Peach.
YOUR TURN
Hope you will join me for these 10 Qs&As about patriotism. If you have a patriotism post, please link up below. Or copy and paste the questions above and answer them in a comment. Either way, it will be fun to read your answers.
Thank you for stopping by, sweet friends. Wishing you a happy, healthy weekend! God bless America.
Hugs and kisses,
Deb
It must be nice to have a national day to celebrate when your country officially came into being. England has a totally different history, going back to 927ad according to google! We have a patron saint’s day but it really isn’t celebrated much here at all. You really do go to town with your decorating and celebrating, it looks a lot of fun!
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Enjoyed reading your answers and enjoyed participating. It was fun to answer the questions. I’ve linked up, thanks for hosting!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hope you will join again for August’s 10 on the 10th. I enjoyed reading your answers. Have a feeling you are quite the patriot!
Dara
I like your answers! I remember people saying you shouldn’t sit on the flag patches too. Pretty funny when you think about it! I think America The Beautiful should be our national anthem.
Em
Ah, so much to think about, Leslie.
We definitely fly a flag…everyday. We were gifted a second-hand flagpole when a good friend was updating his. It’s been a treasured way to celebrate the privilege of living in this country, despite its imperfections, and all of the sacrifice that has allowed it to be here still.
I am a little moody when it comes to “wearing” the flag… My kiddos have been disappointed when I’ve said no to swim suits, or running shorts that are clearly flag-based. I’m a little torn, because I think our flag is awesome and do think the clothes look cool, but my dad definitely instilled that respect in me.
July 4th was my MIL’s birthday, so it was always a celebration day…but in recent years it’s become a little more low key, especially since the kiddos are usually with their friends. But it’s a feel-good day for me…even if I’m stuck home avoiding a virus.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I have been thinking about you. Your life has been kind of turned upside down with the kids moving out and all the junk with Covid. I would imagine your beautiful home is very quiet for the first time maybe ever.
How fortunate to have inherited your friend’s flagpole. I would like to surprise PC with one some day. Maybe for his 60th birthday when it gets here. After we purchased our new flag and pole, I discovered an old flag my parents had given us. It has grommets so wouldn’t fly on the pole we have but would love to have been able to fly it.
jodie filogomo
I missed your kitchen reveal Leslie!!! But I would have to say that my husband would chime in with ice cream. Although you wonder what makes a food patriotic..haha.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Joanne
Oh yum, homemade ice cream! We have that most years on the 4th too as my brother in law owns an ice cream stand and they always bring ice cream and fixings for sundaes.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Wow, how terrific to have a family member who owns an ice cream stand!! I haven’t had homemade ice cream in YEARS. Not sure how PC would feel about churning ice cream. And not sure how good it would be for us to have an ice cream maker readily available. But there’s nothing better.
ShootingStarsMag
Fun post! Family in the military? My brother was an Army Ranger – he was medically discharged a couple years ago because he has MS.
-Lauren
Jennifer Smith
We always enjoyed the parade when our kids were littles. We tried walking the parade with our church a few years ago. Once was enough for that fun:) And much parade fun anymore. Great memories, though. And something about the Fourth of July ice cream – it just needs to be homemade!! My dad LOVED homemade peach ice cream…oh you brought back sweet memories just now when I read that!! He churned it himself:) YUM