Wednesday 1 July 2015

Wednesday Hodgepodge 1/7/15





Wednesday's Hodgepodge is brought to us courtesy of Joyce at 

Pop over there to see other posts and if you want to join in add your blog post to the Linky List at the end of Joyce's post.

Have fun!

 

1. On Saturday July 4th America celebrates her Independence. (If you're not American,  feel free to answer in terms of a national holiday in your own country) What is your favourite thing about the day? Your favourite food on the 4th? Do you fly a flag at your house? Fireworks-yay or nay? Any special plans this year?
This is complicated.  I live in the United Kingdom.  Before we became the United Kingdom we were known as Great Britain therefore I am British.  But I can also call myself English as I was born in England.  Due to my Dad’s heritage I could probably also call myself Welsh but that’s just another complication.  Each country in the United Kingdom does have a national saint and those days are celebrated.  However the celebrations are nothing compared to 4th July celebrations. England has St. George and St. George’s day is 23rd April.  It is NOT a national holiday although some people are campaigning to make it one.  Celebrating the day is a bit tricky.  Over time there have been many influxes of foreigners to the UK.  Consequently we are a very multi-cultural country, especially here in London.  We have also become very politically correct.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing but sometimes we go too far.  There is now a very fine line between celebrating our national day and heritage as we should be able to do without appearing to be associating yourself with some very right wing nationalist movements that are incredibly racist.
 
2. What's something you recently got for free?  
Shopping.  I signed up for a delivery service where you pay up front for deliveries and get them at a cheaper rate than one off costs.  I didn’t really make use of the service enough so I got a refund of the extra cost.  Plus to encourage me to use the service more they sent me money off coupons.  I’ve used the coupons but made a point of only buying what I would normally buy therefore saving money.  Now we’re down to one income I’m trying to be a savvier shopper.
 
3.  The Statue of Liberty, The Liberty Bell, The Washington Monument, or Mount Rushmore...how many on the list have you seen? What is your favourite historical American monument, and why?
Well I haven’t seen Mount Rushmore but on our trip to the US last year I managed to see all the others.  We were in Vermont (Barre) for our son’s wedding and then we visited Washington, Philadelphia and New York before coming home.  Of the three cities I preferred Washington.  New York was too busy even for a Londoner.  Washington seemed calmer although I guess for those involved in government it can be pretty hectic.  We really enjoyed visiting the monuments there.
 
4. When it comes to the news are you more ostrich (stick my head in the sand) or hog (they have  room to take a whole lot in)? How much attention have you given the recent news reports regarding ISIS and the acts of terror they've perpetrated against those who do not share their beliefs or support their cause?  
Well it’s hard to stick your head in the sand when you’re constantly bombarded with news through all the different types of media we have now.  It’s also hard to ignore ISIS and other terrorist activities when events like those in Tunisia this past week keep happening and British people are getting killed.  There is also a lot of reporting on young British Muslims going off to join the cause.  I just think it is crazy that these extremists use the excuse of religion for their atrocities.
 
5. We're talking plain ice cream...vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry? Choose one.   
Oh good a nice easy one.  Chocolate.  Chocolate.  And more Chocolate please.  Did I mention I’m a chocoholic or would be if I didn’t have to moderate it because of migraines?
 
6. Share a song you love containing the word 'stars' in the lyrics or title?   
Well a bit of a cheat because it doesn’t actually have the word stars but it does mention starry starry nights a few times:
“Vincent” by Don McLean – love that song.


 
7. Describe and/or say goodbye to June with an acrostic.

Wow Joyce is really challenging us today:

Gone in a flash
Over in a moment
Oh to be in June again
Done and dusted
Birthday over, another
Year of marriage too
Everything moves on

July is here
Until it’s August
No stopping time but
Every day is precious and new
 


8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Challenge is good.

20 comments:

  1. Good acrostic! I lived in the UK for a few years and loved seeing all the flags fly on St George's Day. And plenty of fireworks in November : )

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  2. Enjoyed your acrostic, also. I have always wanted to see London.

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  3. Great acrostic! I love it.

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  4. Wow! Your acrostic is very impressive!!!

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  5. I love where you live and hope to visit again someday. Sounds like you had a lovely trip to the USA and you have seen things I haven't seen yet....lucky you! Most of the time I keep movies on during the day, I just can't stand the sad stories on the news. That is a lovely song you shared. Enjoyed your Goodbye to June.

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  6. Your acrostic is fantastic...such talent!

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  7. Great acrostic!! I agree on the chocolate too!

    Take care and I hope you have a great day!

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  8. Well, I will have to agree with all the others - your acrostic is a good one. We hear so much about what is going on in the UK politically, so it is good to hear an opinion of one who lives there. I do trust though that someone will stand up against Sharia law taking over in your country. There is also much pressure here in the USA to concede. It was good to meet you this morning. Have a great weekend.

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  9. Love your acrostic poem. New York City is very busy, too busy for me and I live only about 1 hour outside of it. Have a great week :)

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  10. I love your acrostic - I completed failed on that question. Nice to meet a UK blogger - my Mum was from Manchester and I spent much of my childhood and young adult years in England - love, love, love it and can't wait to go back.

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  11. I think most of us agree on chocolate! I know NYC was pretty hectic to be in, i had been there for 5 days but after the first two days i just wanted to be alone for a while.

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  12. Wow -- I bet you are one of the only tourists to have seen so many of our national treasurers. Thank you for taking the time to see so much of the history of the USA!

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  13. I enjoyed your answers! Very nice to read a UK bloggers thoughts!

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  14. I loved your acrostic! Happy to meet someone from the UK. I want to visit Washington someday! I would love all the history there!

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  15. June did fly by, didn't it? I puts the start of school closer and I don't like that. Even though it's still over one month away.

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  16. Washington is an amazing city. Lots of free stuff to do! Enjoyed your acrostic poem :)

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  17. Very cool answers to questions that barely seem to fit your life. Excellent job. June was a monster, and I'm glad to be rid of it. Your good-bye to it was nice.

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  18. SWMBO and I were blessed to live in your lovely country courtesy of the U.S. Air Force in the late 1970's. We were at RAF Sculthorpe up near Kings Lynn and Fakenham. We loved our time in England. We would love to go back sometime. Thank you for the "Anniversary" love. SWMBO and I appreciate it.

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