I missed Random 5 Friday so instead am doing Random 5 for the 4th – here we go!
1. Today is Saturday, July 4th, our nation’s “birthday.” The birds are singing, the weather is hot and hazy, and we are celebrating our nation’s independence by independently deciding to lay low, hang out pool-side, and chill. Ahh.
Summer is here!
2. One month ago I was in our nation’s Capitol on business. Being a new citizen and representing my company in the highest offices of the land thrills me beyond description. Walk 34 miles in heels in 90F heat? No problem. Endure multiple security checkpoints? Sure. Witness a vote from the Senate gallery? Mind-blowingly cool. Sit down with members of the United States Congress over and over again? A-m-a-z-i-n-g.
On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved and adopted the Declaration of Independence. Happy Independence Day! https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/
3. Listening to the radio last night something we heard brought us right back to our teens: the hits-from-coast-to-coast! Remember how every summer holiday weekend brought the top 40 countdown? Did you ever sit next to the radio and record the songs played? I remember my cousin and I shushing our brothers because a favorite song was coming up soon and we were determined to “catch it.” I couldn’t tell you what happened to those tapes but I know there were a lot of them!
Shh … Rod Stewart is up next!
4. Speaking of music, we also reminisced about our experiences with the “Columbia Music House” collection and what a deal we thought it was — 11 choices for a $1.00 plus the added requirement to purchase more at ridiculously inflated prices. We were kids, we didn’t know any better. His choices included Ted Nugent, Supertramp and Chicago. Mine included Elvis (duh!), the Oak Ridge Boys and Boston. Funny.
This was me at 15 and I think the worried look can be attributed to an overdue shipment from Columbia records! An Emjayandthem (C) photo
5. Stopped at the Farmer’s Market Thursday and picked up the biggest, tastiest tomato ever. I did that so I could enjoy this for my lunch today:
Toasted Tomato Sandwich ~ ahh, Summer!
I hope that wherever my words find you, whether you’re American or not, you join us in celebrating her birthday today. I hope you take a moment to step outside and look up at the sky – our brilliant shared sky – and I hope that, just like me, you can do so without fear.
** God Bless America! **
What are your plans for the Holiday today? Did you ever tape the top 40 hits off the radio? Had a toasted ‘mater sandwich lately?
Love, love, love tomato sandwiches. We did them with butter and soft sandwich buns. Yes and salt! Sometimes a slice of sweet onion, sometimes not. OMG! Like a steak. I remember the count downs too. So much fun. I was always in the bathroom for my favorites! Our day is cool and rainy, barely touching 70. Can’t complain though. We have a wonderful week. We’re invited to a picnic tomorrow so maybe, just maybe, the weather will be perfect. Love your pool. Perfect place to be on a hot day. Enjoy your day.
I’m having another one today 🙂 Happy Sunday! MJ
Our big tomatoes aren’t quite ready yet. Soon!
Great patriotic post, MJ! Hubby loves “da-mata” sandwiches too! I like them in salads and on other sandwiches, but not really alone.
Sounds like you’re having a wonderful holiday!
I had never heard them described as “da-mata” but now that I say it out loud, I can hear it ~ neat 😀 Happy Sunday to you! MJ
Leave it to my hubby….
You made me remember when my girlfriend and I recording our favorite songs. There wasn’t any “WOW” collections back then. We would start and stop the tape before the next commercial came on to get my favorite songs. What I remember is how I was so disappointed I was when we moved from a 8-track to cassette. We have since moved on to CDs and online. Who would have thought?
Happy 4th of July. I love a good parade on this day!
I also remember “taping” off of records so we could take favorites in the car with us. With 8-tracks do you remember having to put a piece of paper or matchbook under one end to level it & make the tracks playable? 🙂 Hope you had a great 4th of July. MJ
As far as recording songs off of the radio…there was always some DJ sneaking in the last few bits of information about “tomorrows forecast” during the opening of my favorite songs!
R
totally – those darn DJs!
MJ
Ah yes, the Columbia Music House. And, today, you take stream any type of music from any whether. This, is progress.
true that 🙂 MJ
I love your enthusiasm about being a new citizen! Both my parents were naturalized. Dad was from Hungary and Mom from Germany. I sensed their pride in this country all my growing up years.
Thank you – it’s quite a country and I’m glad to be part of it 🙂 Loved that you sensed their enthusiasm as well! MJ
Let’s see…yes, yes, yes. I had tapes of the radio, a Columbia House collection, and my favorite sandwich in the world is tomato, has to be with real GOOD tomatoes, soft white bread (only white will do, has to be a re-creation from childhood, with mayo and lightly salted tomatoes. Heaven! Closely followed by my second favorite, a BLT. I say this often…kindred spirits! ~ Sheila
Oh yeah, the tomato sandwich is definitely closely followed by it’s heartier sister, the BLT 😀
I still have some of my tapes, found some when I went home last time – funny!! MJ
That tomato sandwich looks good! Brings back great memories of my dad’s garden and Mom’s homemade bread. I remember trying to tape songs, too. Darn DJ always talked through part of it.
I’ll be having some of Mom’s homemade bread in 2 weeks – with jam – can’t wait 🙂 I remember when the DJ would talk through the END of the song – GAH! I think the tape recorded our cries of anguish when he did that – ha !! MJ
Or worse yet, the dj sang along!
ha ha – true! MJ