Happy Fourth of July!

[The_Princess_of_Bozonia]

Happy Fourth of July to all our members in the U.S. Going to have hamburgers and homemade hazelnut ice cream while we watch the fireworks and comfort one nervous kitty

[Fitzwilly]

Did you say "homemade hazelnut ice cream?" I'll be right over.

[Gladman]

Did you say boiled peanuts and Jaffa cakes? I'll be there

[The_Princess_of_Bozonia]

Fitz, here's the recipe! Gianduja Gelato ... and some rhubarb ice cream for you, Gladman
Hmm, someone should invent Jaffa cake ice cream

[saphireSue]

Well I hope every one had a safe and happy 4th. celebrating our independence. My Dad is 76 and Mom's 74, threw a cookout, last count I had was 38 in attendance. we ended by going to Waxhaw for the fireworks display. Just got in now around 11:30 pm. Great Day. But now I have to get ready to go back to work tomorrow

[ibimus]

Ooh....yummy! Sounds fabulous!

Happy Independance Day, everyone! If you're setting off your own fireworks, please, be careful!

[Fitzwilly]

Originally Posted by Gladman

Did you say boiled peanuts and Jaffa cakes? I'll be there

Wow, I must need new glasses again, I could have sworn I read homemade ice cream. Oh well, I'll be glad to try a Jaffa cake or two.

[Willace-the-Clown]

for the Forth i thought this by the King of Clowns Red Skelton would be good to post

RED SKELTON: "I remember this one teacher. To me, he was the greatest teacher, a real sage of my time. He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge Of Allegiance and he walked over. Mr. Lasswell was his name... He said": "I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge Of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word:

I
Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge
Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance
My love and my devotion.

To the Flag
Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

of the United States
That means that we have all come together.
Individual communities that have united into Forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic
Republic -- a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands
One Nation
One Nation -- meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible
Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty
Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice
The principle, or quality, of dealing fairly with others.

For All
For All -- which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine. And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?"

[Grandpa Weatherbie]

As Red Skelton might say "God-Bless"

[Fitzwilly]

I have always found it interesting, and it does change the meaning, that most people just say "God-bless" while Red said "May God bless" The first is almost used like a demand these days, while the second is a plea, asking for His blessing. So to America and her fighting men and women "May God bless."