So I must apologize. Again. Because my fingers always go running off without first getting permission from my brain. This time, I need to apologize for what I implied about the outcome of the election. There is a 50% chance that I am right. But even if I am right, I should not gloat. No one should gloat. It's not sportsman-like. And it's not American. Although I'd planned on doing something silly for today's post, I digress. This day is pretty amazing and it's not something we should take lightly. Therefore,we must all be very serious this week. No laughing.
I shall now sing to you. (You guys just snickered, didn't you?)
Oh beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain (ah nuts, I don't have any pictures of cherry orchards. Next ...)
... And crown thy good with brotherhood
What? They're American, and they're brothers. They fit the bill, even without crowns. (Devree, one of these pictures in the post is for you. I can't remember which one though ...)
From sea to shinning sea!
OK, so it's not a sea. It's the Flathead River. But it's oh so pretty. And I haven't gone to the ocean in ages. I have a fear of mermaids.
And that's where I'll stop singing. I don't want to lose my voice. It's kinda hard projecting your voice far enough to reach the whole world wide interweb.
You might remember my post to celebrate the 4th of July where I said all the things I love from other countries. Well I will be un-patriotic no longer! Today, we celebrate what we love about America.
I love American inventions: the telephone, the TV, the washing machine, the internet! I could go on and on and on. America is full of smart people who like ... build things and like ... make ... stuff. You've heard the saying, "It's the best thing since sliced bread." Well guess what? That was an American invention too! Before that, people said "It's the best thing since the invention of the Band-Aid." And the Band-Aid (also American) was invented because people were cutting their fingers so often having to slice their own bread. Ow.
I love good ol' American Apple Pie, and love that I get to have a slice of mom's homemade pie in just two weeks. I also love that we have a holiday where it is OK to stuff yourself until you have to unbutton your pants.
Speaking of food, Bajio and Cafe Rio were both started in America, making it possible to have delicious Mexican food without needing a passport.
America has some majorly talented musicians, actors, authors, etc: so many that I cannot list them all. But it is true what they say: America's Got Talent, long before the TV show even.
Fleece is an American invention and without it, I would not be able to live in Montana. I'm hoping Paulashawn will make me a fleece dress for Christmas.
America has barns and farmhouses and the most beautiful, diverse landscapes. America, you really are beautiful.
But most of all, America has FREEDOM. Let it ring y'all.
What do you love about America?
14 comments:
I love cowboys and country music and southern accents : )! I lived in South Carolina for 5 years as a kid, and that was a rich culture down there in those southern parts. And out west in Nevada, that's where I grew my affinity for Wrangler jeans and cowboy hats and belt buckles (though I've never owned any of those myself).
I also love the patriotism we show for our country and how we honor our flag. When I lived in Spain, I had a Spaniard friend of mine pointed out to me that those patriotic ways were kind of unique to America (at least she didn't grow up that way in Spain anyway), and it made me realize how much I am glad that we celebrate our red-white-and-blue so much and sing all of our patriotic songs all the time. "Oh say can you seeeee...!!"
I just looked up "American inventions", and found electricity (the light bulb), blue jeans, and...chocolate chip cookies!
Which just goes to show that this is the only country in the world for me : ). Oh wait, all of the other countries have these things now too? Oh well, this is still the place for me. When I got home from my mission, and finally landed in Las Vegas after my 30-hour flight journey, I swore I would never live outside of America again. I love this place.
Oh and one more thing--my favorite place in the world is in America: BYU campus. Just thought I'd throw that in just for fun :).
Ha, I beat Nicole. And many others!
I love that you can make your own destiny in America. I love that if you are willing to work for it, you can have it or do it. I love that you can express opposition and be protected by the law for it. I love that this land was destined to be the land of liberty where the restored Gospel would come forth and the gathering of Israel would commence. I love the history of our country - though not perfect it desired to become so. I love the way our nation rallies together to fight evil (well, at least it seems we used to. I pray that we continue doing so!). I love that we are the superpower of the world, and yet we don't use that power to oppress, but to lift and empower others. I love how we can communicate with our leaders and they reply back to us (if they like to be in their office). I love how we get to vote today! God is with us. I know this because "the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom" is in every face I see (to some extent... there are many people in the bondage of addiction, debt, government subsistence, etc. But even then the people still are free to choose).
I love the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Here is my list:
Baseball, hamburgers, french fry sauce, In and Out, Roller Skates, Dishwashers, Netflix, Breakfast Cereal, Bubblegum, The Star Spangled Banner, History of our Founding Fathers, Abraham Lincoln and Einstein (I know he's originally from Germany)
I love PaulaShawn's response!!
I love America! I love our Freedom to choose for ourselves. I love the yummy foods, the great big beautiful mountains and all of the amazing scenery. I love the interesting people from all walks of life and the stories that come with them. I love our music and our entertainment (well, some of it)
God Bless the USA!
JazznJenna: you know what's funny--we don't see all that many cowboys around here. Ironic, huh? However, in the summer when all of the tourists come, they dress cowboy chic and it is oh-so obvious! Who is the person that invented chocolate chip cookies? I would like to kiss them. Or kick them. Not sure which.
PaulaShawn: You stole my thunder. Again. Thus proving you ARE Thor. I agree: Agency is the best gift!
LivingstonslifeinMontanamyfingersgettiredfromtypingyourscreenname: How could I forget Five Guys Burgers and Fries? Oh yum. Thanks for making my mouth water. I love that Netflix is on your list. Did you know that was originally my idea but someone stole it? (I wish. But I did have the idea to have Netbooks where you could get books in the mail without even having to go to the library. But then this thing called the Kindle was invented and I lost out on that one too.)
Anne: Americans are as diverse as our landscape. It's amazing! America does make the best movies, especially since ours don't have subtitles. :)
Omigosh! It's the Jonas Brothers! I knew that "fruited plain" was coming next and I could see their faces so I'm like "no Lori, don't lable them friuts!" and you DIDN'T! I'm so happy. On to America.
I love apple pie! Favorite kind of pie! We actually stuck candles in one for my birthday this year! I love being accepted for my oddities and getting the medical treatment that saved my life. I'm thankful we can simulate going to different cultures just by visiting different states and that all our diversities are combined in one nation. I'm thankful for living in the promised land. Also having the history of the church seem so close because it happened here, in America. To be able to go on trek to some of the same trails used by pioneers. I love the artist, whether singers or actors (JoBros are both by the way!), who bless us with their art! I love the USA! May God's hand forever be in our lives!
Devree: I wouldn't do that! Especially because I know you are tougher than me. Yay for medical treatment saving your life--that right there is enough, you didn't even need to list anything else! When when you say we can simulate different cultures, does that mean going to Panda Express? :) (That smiley face felt really forced. The news is making me feel frowny.):(((( (That's when your frown hangs down to your belly button.)
I love the diversity of America, both in land and culture. I love the sense of pride we have as Americans, even if other countries see us as a little arrogant. I love that education is so important here and anyone can go to college. I love thaqt life is easy here; I mean we all have challenges but at least we aren't in the middle of guerilla warfare or scraping out a living in a 130 degree dessert with no water.
Noooo!!!! I typed a huge comment and it was right after JazznJenna. Boo, now I have to do it again. Stupid robot thing.
Anyway, I had said that I love how America is a big melting pot of all the other cultures. We can drive down the street and get pretty much any kind of food we want, whether it's Thai, indian, italian, mexican, etc. And I love how we get to celebrate so many different holidays because of it, like St. Pat's and Halloween. Plus, we get Thanksgiving, which other countries don't get.
I love how pretty much all technological advances came from America. The period of enlightenment has blessed our lives so much and I love being able to see and talk to my baby sister while she's off galavanting the world.
What I love most about our county is how even though we have such strong differences, the fact that we're all American means something and we've still always got each other's backs. Everyone jumps together to provide support after disasters like 9/11 and the floods they just had back east, regardless of heritage, race, politics and religious beliefs. Being American means something.
There! I think I pretty much remembered it al!
Lori, I knew you wouldn't do that because YOU knew that I would beat you up from a different state. :)There's a lot to love about America so I had to go on. I'm dreadfully sorry the news is making your frown go down to your belly button. Not to be a pessimist but I kinda knew this would be the outcome; it's a sign of the times! All those missionaries signing up after the announcement so that we can have missionaries in every land. Comeone, don't pretend you didn't know this was coming. Hahaha we can experience Taco Bell, Thai food, sea food, Italian food, and all sorts of other food from around the world! Also, big cities have little Italys and China towns, Irish pubs, and what not. We have a lot of diversity! And just going from Nevada to Memphis changes cultures. And now that I'm at college in a Mormon community; culture changes!
Rowley's: welcome back busy momma! Thank your for putting it in perspective. We do have it so easy! We don't have to carry buckets of water from the river every day just so we can exist, and I've never heard the sound of a machine gun. We are blessed.
Nicole: I wondered why you would let Paula comment before you! That was beautiful, especially the part where you said "regardless of heritage, race, politics, and religious beliefs." I am proud to be an American.
Devree: I bet you pack a powerful punch, but I bet you are wearing mittens so that will soften the blow. I am so inspired by all of the 18 and 19 year-olds who are postponing their lives to serve. You are part of an amazing generation Devree and you guys give me hope for the future. :) (Real smile that time. No belly buttons involved.)
Helpful Things:
I love Sign language, Braille, and the ability to communicate with deaf or blind people (I am reading a biography about Helen Keller), electricity, efficient Modern medicines, medical equipment, or anything else that helps people get better from any illness, or problem.
Things I like:
BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Candy, bicycles, cars, NaNoWriMo, Writing, Friendship, Kindness, clothes for school, summer, winter, and (I saved the best for last..) PJS!!!
Education, movies, Board Games, Card Games, and any other kind of games, Bug repellent and.....Thrift Stores!!! (Normal clothes stores too...)
Oh, and I forgot... Volleyball, ice cream, cheesecake, and pink lemonade :)
Bye!
Didi: Funny that you mentioned modern medicines: I have been regretting my choice not to get flu shots this year now that the flu bug has been introduced to our family. :) But yay for no more plagues that wiped out half the population!
Nano? You go girl! How many words have you done? I agree: PJ's are the very best. Will you invite me over for a PJ and writing party? :)
(from Didi): I'm glad you agree about the pjs. I'm at just over 2,000 for my nanorimo right now. (from Jenna and Didi): PJ Writing Party: Our place, next Saturday night. Airfare is included if you bring the chocolate chip cookies. (Don't we wish!)
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