Happy Birthday, America!!!!! When I think of the 4th of July, I think of parades, picnics, family and friends, concerts in the park, and fireworks!!!!! My favorite 4th of July food is WATERMELON. I don't think I have ever missed having a piece of watermelon (with salt of course) on the 4th!!!!! It's just a tradition!!!
I also love Patriotic Music ---and always look forward to hearing it, especially on the 4th of July. Today I will feature one of my favorite songs, "God Bless the USA" sung by Lee Greenwood. Here is a video for you to enjoy today ---and the lyrics, published below.
GOD BLESS THE USA
by Lee Greenwood
1. If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I'd worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars,
to be livin' here today.
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can't take that away.
CHORUS
And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
2. From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of TENNESSEE.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time we stand and say.
Repeat Chorus Above
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What are you doing on the 4th??? We will stay home and have our own holiday picnic. We may take a ride sometime this weekend. George says that we may go and see the fireworks this year (here in Fairfield Glade) because he wants to take some pictures with his new camera I think!!!!!
Other than that, I hope to see some patriotic concerts on TV. I always look forward to watching the Knoxville Symphony's 4th of July concert, followed by Knoxville's fireworks display. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Stay SAFE and I'll blog again on Tuesday!!!
Hugs,
Great post, Betsy. God Bess America!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday America. Happy Holiday Betsy and George. Great words to the patriotic song. It is just another weekend for us but we are having our travel buddies over for a BBQ and the viewing of Bill's Mystery Tour movie which he has spent many hours editing. We will also be watching the World Cup matches.
ReplyDeleteAMEN...and wishing you and George a beautiful holiday!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th Betsy! Have a wonderful holiday weekend. I plan on staying home and calming animals. None of them care for the fireworks and our neighbors go crazy with them. I will enjoy the PBS channel as they always have a good 4th celebration.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July! I love watermelon with salt on it too!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th Betsy! We usually don't do anything, except try to gather up all the kitty cats and bring them in, since they completely freak out with the fireworks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute! We as Americans cannot begin to count the blessings we have received just to be able to live in this wonderful land we call Home--the USA.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoy the patriotic concerts on TV also, but this year we have tickets to a Fort Wayne Tincaps Baseball game with fireworks at the conclusion. Have a great weekend!
you be safe too..
ReplyDeleteLove the colors on your blog!
ReplyDeleteSalt on watermelon??????? I just might try that!
That Lee Greenwood song is a great one. We have a special assembly every Tuesday and Friday for 20 mins in our school. All 600 students and teachers join together for the pledge, announcements, and just a time of sharing. We also sing favorite songs.
The last day of school we sang that - and just after he says: And I'm proud to stand and say - all 600 of our kids (ages 5-11) stand up and sing the chorus. It was especially meaning for us on the last day - as our flag was at half mast in honor of a young man who had died in Afghanistan that week.
Enjoy the weekend Betsy - hope you are doing well!.
Headin to Ohio for a baseball tournament today. Should be a good weekend!
Both hubby and I are under the weather, so our holiday will be calm and quiet I guess.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I was up late last night going through youtube videos trying to decide what I want to post on Sunday. Lee Greenwood came out on top. I just love that song. But I also love God Bless America. I'm not sure which I'll do. This one though is just too good to pass up.
ReplyDeleteWe have TWO families coming to spend the weekend on the lake with us...and tonight I have an open house where over 50 people usually come...and then at dusk we all go down the street to the bay and watch the fireworks go off...we have a small community, but the fireworks display is spectacular over the lake, so our town swells to thousands of folks that come to see them. Tomorrow is a community pancake breakfast, followed by a flower/garden tour (our house is in the tour, OH Lord why did I agree to THAT? ha) and then on the 4th, the parade goes right in front of our house!!!! Busy, busy weekend, and I love it. Tell George I hope to take some shots tonight of our fireworks too...I love playing with my camera for the fireworks!
ReplyDeleteWill probably watch my neighbor's display from my back porch swing. He does an amazing job.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and happy weekend Betsy and George.
Happy Birthday USA.
We don't have any plans. I fell on my bike this week and busted my left knee pretty good.
ReplyDeleteWe may go to a fireworks display or just stay home. I usually like to watch the 4th celebration from DC.
Hope ya'll have a great one!
We have a watermelon chilling in the frig too! Wishing you and George a lovely holiday weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've pledged my friendship to the United States of America and I trust that God will bless her! Great song! We enjoyed fireworks in this little rural town where our kids live. It was spectacular! Today daughter is serving waffles and fruit cup for breaky, watermelon and Rollkuchen - a Mennonite dish - for lunch, and the traditional burgers and hot dogs for supper! In between there's lots of fun to be had!
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful week-end with George and enjoy Independence Day on Sunday!
Thanks you Betsy for that glorious tribute to our great country.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday USA!!!
I will miss the Stanwood Parade this year because I will be at the Sedro-Woolley Parade. Kylee is in the Parade and Grand entry to the Rodeo and Barrel Racing in the rodoe. Yeehaw!!
I LOVE that song Betsy!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a fun weekend and that you get your watermelon and your concerts too!
hugs, Suz
I have always liked this song, thanks for the lyrics, it is good to read them and no that they are true, or at least for me they are. sometimes i wonder if the average american even knows what this song means. I think a lot of people just go to see bright lights burst in sky and never think about the freedom we have to go and watch them. great post Betsy, Have a wonderful 4th.
ReplyDeleteI have always liked this song, thanks for the lyrics, it is good to read them and no that they are true, or at least for me they are. sometimes i wonder if the average american even knows what this song means. I think a lot of people just go to see bright lights burst in sky and never think about the freedom we have to go and watch them. great post Betsy, Have a wonderful 4th.
ReplyDeleteI love this song, Betsy. It always just gives me goose bumps. This is a great post, you really did a nice job. Happy Fourth of July to you and George, too. Diane
ReplyDeleteNice post, Betsy. It's raining! We will stay home and watch all the festivities around the country by TV. Pizza may be on the menu since we had the fried chicken last weekend!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July! We have plans to see the parade on Saturday, followed by a BBQ at a friend's house. We hope to spend some time at the local park on Sunday. There is a pig roast and at least one concert. The fireworks are at the park, too, on Sunday night.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Betsy, I love your graphics, an yes the song is perfect, may God bless America, and it is still the best nation in the world, hugs my friend.
ReplyDeleteLove Lee Greenwood's song.
ReplyDeleteWe will be having a cookout and family get-together.
You have a wonderful 4th.
Marnie
Happy July 4th Betsy!
ReplyDeleteWith Canada's Birthday yesterday, we went to a parade, then to the fair, then watched some fireworks! Now I'm tired and must rest the weekend! :)
Hope you 'kick up your heels' this weekend ~ but not too high ~ we don't want you to strain your knees friend! :)
xo Catherine
Lee Greenwood's song is just the best, isn't it??? It always manages to bring a tear to your eye. What a gorgeous patriotic post!!! Love all the red! Well, I say God Bless America and God Bless You and George too!!! Have fun...and eat some watermelon for me!!! We will go tot fireworks with kids and grands and have a cookout here.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July to you. In Canada we celebrated yesterday,the 1st.Jake and I went to Winnipeg with Steve and Kai(son and granddaughter).We saw a 3d Imax movie and stayed for the fireworks,which were spectacular.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Happy 4th Betsy! Enjoy!-I'm looking forward to seeing George's pictures.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend Betsy.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend. And thank you for gifting us all with a patriotic tribute to our country.
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth Betsy!!
ReplyDelete(I love watermelon too: )
Great post my friend!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend!
That's a good song. And I just adore that last picture of Liberty looking so pretty blue with the fireworks behind!! Bad as things can get, we are all so blessed to not have been born in a Third World or dictator country!!!! I hope you both have a wonderful weekend, and I want to see those fireworks pictures, even if they don't come out perfect!!
ReplyDeleteBetsy, I keep forgetting to tell you how much I like your new blue marble wallpaper!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Betsy.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July weekend.
xo
Thanks for sharing the song! There's nothing more liberating than to know that your country is free.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll have a great weekend Betsy, and I'm pretty sure you'll do!
Hugs,
Sey
Happy 4th to you both. I like to stay home on holidays. Too much traffic and people not paying attention. Did I miss the latest knee report?
ReplyDeleteI love that song, too, Betsy! Thanks for posting it. Hope you and George have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Betsy. I love that song.
ReplyDeleteKay
Have a great weekend Betsy, I'm hoping my son will be up to eating at least a piece of watermelon on Sunday.He had over 5 hours of surgery today but hopefully he is fixed now.I am sitting with him now doing this on my lap top,he is sleeping peacefully as morphine drips into him.The road to recover is right around the curve now I hope. Blessings and have a safe July 4th weekend Marilyn
ReplyDeleteI hope you & George have the best ever 4th. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteVery nice page today Betsy! Have a fun weekend. Enjoy the patriotic concert and fireworks.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless America!
That's a great song, Betsy. I hope you and George have a wonderful holiday weekend! Enjoy your watermelon! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you Betsy, for reminding us where we started and we are and all that we are blessed with. God Bless us all. Happy Independence Day to all.
ReplyDeleteHapp 4th of July weekend Betsy! We are having a quiet weekend as my husband has not been feeling well and wants to rest. That is fine with me as I have a stack of books i want to begin reading. So we'll probably Bar-B-Q and relax at home and e]=watch the Macy's fireworks on TV.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break!
♥ Pat
Happy Fourth two you....this is a
ReplyDeletefavorite of my to. Trish
Happy 4th to you, Betsy!
ReplyDeleteWe'll hang out with family and friends and watch some fireworks from the front porch.
I remember the first time I heard "God Bless The USA". I was six years old, and it was a mid-western dusky afternoon. It was at a rodeo, and before anything began, we all stood up and listened to Lee Greenwood piped over the loudspeakers. I was awestruck at the power of song, even then. I think it's the earliest memory I have of a song reaching down and touching my heart. It's a feeling I can't describe...but where the song abruptly pauses was definitely the key moment for me. I plan to write about it on our website: Rock The Jukebox. Thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th...m..
ReplyDeleteVery nice Betsy....great blog!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July to you and your family Betsy! Enjoy a most lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteSmiles....
Beverly
I just re-read your post and thought again...what a wonderful writing. Love the header. God Bless America indeed! I hope He is watching over and is aware of what is happening today.
ReplyDeleteG'day Betsy ~ Another breathtaking write ... your presentation is gorgeous. I can never hear Lee Greenwood's song enough! May she continue to stand tall & be free, this beautiful land that blesses me.
ReplyDeleteWe will relax & recup from our trip with the kid-lings ... bbq & enjoy our salads & fruits ... then sit out to watch all the fireworks that surround us with a soothing cooling drink as it will be 105 here in MD. this 4th ...
Have a beautiful 4th, sweet lady ~
TTFN Marydon
Best wishes for 4 day
ReplyDeleteA wonderful and fitting tribute to our soldiers Betsy, the words gave me cold chills....
ReplyDeleteWe'll be staying away from the BIG Nashville fireworkls display down at Riverfront Park, it's so hard to park down there, but will instead be celebrating with family and friends, at a good ole cookout, with lots of wonderful food, and a game of horseshoes afterwards, with our own little firework display.
Wishing you and George a fun filled July 4th !!
Love the red, white, and blue and all that it stands for! Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA has always been a favorite! Hope you and George have a wonderful 4th!!
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy, I love the Statue of Liberty with fireworks. Have a happy 4th of July with George. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat song. Wonderful post! You always share such delightful things over here. Happy 4th to you and enjoy the weekend! Anne
ReplyDeleteHope you and George have a great Fourth of July. Yesterday was busy day for Linda and I we are going to take it easy today (I think). Great post Love your header
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful song to remind us to look at what is good...to remember and not take it all for granted...and to also remember this country is big and all the diversity brings much to be enjoyed. Happy 4th! I enjoyed peeking into your world.
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy, I enjoyed the music video and the wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteBut most of all I love your red, white and blue layout with your flag flying high in the sky.
We are going to my daughters and enjoying time with family and friends.
Be Well, Happy 4th to you and George too.
Happy 4th of July, Betsy and George!
ReplyDelete♥ Pat
Awesome post! I love that song! Stopping by to wish you a wonderful 4th of July! Hope your day is a lovely one!
ReplyDeleteBack Porch Blessings,
Rebecca
Thank you for coming by to check on me Betsy. :) I have been thinking about you and George lately and wondered what you have been up to. I just hadn't got over here yet.
ReplyDeleteI love the USA is my favorite song ever! I loved your post! Have a wonderful 4th of July.
Happy 4th to you too~
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy,
ReplyDeleteWe had a patriotic church service today, had lunch with our son and his wife. Now, Johnny's watching baseball, and later we'll watch the Boston Pops with fireworks.
such a beautiful post! i love that
ReplyDeletesong, too.
praying for your knee and tummy.
Well, I've had my watermelon already and we sang "God bless America" at church"...so Happy 4th to you, too! I hope you and George have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful 4th of July tribute. Thank you for sharing it. Also thanks for stopping by Hoe and Shovel. Marmee has been gallivanting out of the country... she'll catch up soon most likely. I can't wait to see her photos.
Meems
Terrific post Betsy!
ReplyDeleteI think this song is one of the best ever written.
Continue to have a wonderful weekend!
Happy 4th of July! My husband sent me some photos recently taken fireworks from Las Vegas!
ReplyDeleteGREAT, GREAT pictures and a wonderful post...You are just the best....Hope you had a GREAT FOURTH!
ReplyDeleteI have a fun giveaway on my holiday blog...
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com
check out A Baby Changes Everything
drawing Monday night
Betsy: Have a great time, the 4th is for a fun celebration.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July.
ReplyDeleteDid you have a great celebration?
Your knee ok?
Thanks for the visit Betsy! I love your patriotic post! I love my nation more today than ever and am so grateful for all who have sacrificed to keep us free! God bless America and may America bless God! Happy Independence Day to you!
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy, thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I drop in on yours, too, from time to time but just haven't posted lately. I love your post today on the 4th and what it means. Ours was quiet but we really enjoyed the fireworks. And I love watermelon with salt too!!
ReplyDeleteThe song gives chills, just to read it! :-)
ReplyDeleteWe had a quiet family 4th of July too. The best kind.
Thank you for understanding my "I'm tired" post. -sigh- We must believe that our Beloved Country's values/ideas/Constitution will prevail. We must believe.
Gentle hugs...
Lee Greenwood put it right...
ReplyDeleteGOD Bless America!
We spent the day with our my daughters family, drove home in the rain and then fell asleep watching a John Wayne Marathon...can't get much more American than John Wayne.
God Bless America!, for HE will keep us free!
BlessYourHeartsBetsy and George
Just found your blog. Love your July 4th post. Perfect photos and thoughts for the day. I, too, love Lee Greenwood's song and also mentioned it on my July 4th post. Hope you had a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteBetsy GREAT post for this celebration!I LoVe watermelon too...the perfect fruit for summer time!
ReplyDeleteI always think for all the people that say how bad America is, why does everyone want to come here? I think that alone says how great our country is...
ReplyDeleteWe had a good time getting to see Rachel this weekend. She is doing great...passed her driving skills tests with flying colors...forget all the different things she had to do. Not any type of driving we do on a normal basis. She passed her shooting qualification...got 281 out of a possible 300, and passed her second written exam with flying colors.
Hi Betsy,
ReplyDeleteBringing up the rear..LOL We had a pleasant weekend and I had a very good birthday.
We've finished all of the painting in the kitchen/great room area. You saw the office area in my studio post...that is located directly across from the kitchen. I think I've finally found the perfect arrangement for all of the areas in the great room. I love having everything open instead of several separate rooms for living room, kitchen, office, etc.
Today the bathroom painting began..next is our bedroom..we have really accomplished so much in a little more than a month's time.
Once we reach the lower level there is quite a bit to do to winterize it better. Trying to NOT be so friendly with the power company..LOL
So I guess my blogging is going to be reduced for the remainder of the year. I just can't reply to everyone when I put up four or five posts a week....and visiting everyone is the fun of it.
Thanks for visiting me even though I've been absent. I'm trying to keep up and I do miss you. I'm glad you are feeling so much better. I feel like I'm slowing down a bit so I can concentrate a bit more on visiting.
Have a great day!
Hugs to you,
Stephanie ♥
Great post Betsy, it really sums up the holiday and what it stands for. Hope you had a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby had Monday off so it was a three day for us too. We stayed home, watched a NASCAR race and had our own picnic. It was great.
Watermelon is a tradition here too, love the stuff.
I share the same loves on the fourth.
ReplyDeleteCan't beat that song...gives me a lump in my throat every time.
and salt and watermelon...mmmmmm