Wednesday, July 3, 2013

One if by Land, Two if by Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Here are my answers to this week's questions...be sure to add your link to the bottom of my post before running off to see what your neighbors are saying-

1. What's one simple small pleasure on your summer 'to-do' list?

Just one? See a movie at the drive-in theatre.  There aren't a lot of drive-ins around anymore, but we have one near us, and it's a fun summertime thing to do.

2. Do you have strong feelings or opinions about the immigration debate in your home country?  Feel free to share your thoughts, but please play nice.

Not sure I have strong feelings about the debate per se, but I do have strong feelings about America. Every American (except Native Americans) at some point in time, had a family member on their family tree who left one country for this one. I think when you choose to make America your home, you adopt this nation as your own.  That means observing the laws of the land, and learning the language. There is a legal path to citizenship, which scores of immigrants have walked through the ages, and that's the path all immigrants need to take.  

I know at this point in time it's not an issue that is easily solved. There are shades of gray and all sorts of new problems to deal with in figuring out what to do about the illegals already here. Still I honestly don't really understand why breaking the law is viewed as anything other than breaking the law. I have friends who are relatively new citizens, who followed the long legal path to citizenship, and they don't understand it either.  Perhaps that seems harsh, but for the safety of all her citizens, a government needs to know who's residing within her borders.  I have a real problem with people coming here illegally and then receiving health care or a college education at the taxpayers expense.  

I lived in a country that was not my own. We had to do everything but give blood in order to prove we had adequate housing, and could support ourselves financially in that new place. We had to provide every single personal identifying document we might possess including our marriage license, birth certificates, letter from employer stating salary and benefits, bank details, etc just to get a resident visa. We had to answer questions each and every time we passed through immigration. We had to explain where we'd been and why, and confirm that our living and working circumstances in their country hadn't changed.  We were required to pay taxes in that country, and we were not citizens. 

If I move to a country where English is not the native language I will expect to learn the language and obey the laws of my host country. When you become a citizen of another country, you claim that country as your own. 

3. What's something in your home or wardrobe that could be described as 'star spangled'?


Pretty sure this is it.  
I can't think of another starred item in my house or closet.  

4. Is your house set up for a party?

Yes, particularly our outdoor space. My kitchen and family room flow together which works well for mingling.  We enjoy entertaining, and having friends or family over for dinner, an outdoor BBQ, or a glass of wine around the firepit is one of our favorite things to do.  

5. What is one never-before-visited city in America would you most like to see?

All these 'just one' questions today...you know that's not my forte.  
For the sake of brevity I'll say San Francisco.  

6. Your favorite red food?  White food?  Blue food?

I do love a nice steak cooked medium rare...that's red. And watermelon is one of my favorite foods so I'm giving two answers for that color.  I like coconut anything so am going with that for white.  And I guess I'll say blueberries, because what other food is blue?  I do love blueberries so that works.

7. What freedom do you value the most, and why?

It's hard to choose just one, but I'm going with freedom of speech. I think some of the other freedoms we enjoy are predicated on this one.  What would freedom of religion be without freedom of speech?  If you could worship, but those preaching were instructed in what they could or couldn't say? What would due process be if we were not allowed to speak in our own defense? 

I think when we lose this one, America as we know it is done. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We have a fairly large group participating in the Hodgepodge each week.  I'd love it if those of you lucky enough to link up early would think about hopping back later in your day or week to comment on some of the late joiners.  Everybody needs and appreciates a little comment love in the Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Thanks!

Wishing all those celebrating Independence Day a safe and happy 4th! 



God bless America!





33 comments:

  1. Interesting answer to the freedom question. My friend's grandfather had just become a minister, and his first sermon was the Sunday after Nazis had invaded his island. Anything he said during his sermon that made the Nazis unhappy could have him killed... one courageous and brave dude.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I stand and applaud your answer to #2. I agree with everything you said.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'll take a medium rare steak with a glass of wine around your firepit. :) Sounds perfect! Happy Independence Day to you and yours! Thanks for the Hodgepodge. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The qestions were thought provoking this week. My answers were all pretty much cut and dry. Thank you for doing this. I love reading everyone's answers. You will love San Francisco. It is lovely. Be sure and take in the surrounding Napa Valley if you ever go there. I really behaved this week and only gave one answer if that is what the question asked for. Happy $th to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like your thought of 'red meat'...I wouldn't have thought in those terms, but you're most definitely right on....and I too love my steak cooked medium rare. And the only other 'blue food' I could think of was blue corn chips [tortilla chips]. GREAT sentiments/thoughts on immigrants.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the picture, Joyce! And you've described three of my favorite red, white and blue foods! Happy Fourth!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great questions and answers this week Joyce. Cute pictures of your guys.

    Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Joyce: We have some similar answers again. Ha! Great minds think alike! And, yes, SF is a city worth spending time in! We lived in the bay area back in the 80's (both daughters were born in CA) and we got to enjoy much of what it offers! It's a beautiful and interesting place...but I left my heart on the East Coast.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to go to a drive-in theater! There isn't one nearby us, though.

    ReplyDelete
  10. There really are a lot of Hodgepodgers, aren't there! I need to remember to come back myself!

    Like your thought on freedom of speech... didn't think of it being tied together!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really like your answer to the immigration question and I agree with everything you said. I didn't feel like thinking that hard to answer it. :-) Call me lazy...
    We have one drive-in left around here but I haven't gone for so long. I should remember to take the kids this summer--they would love it! Happy 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love your white food, coconut, that was good and I do love it! And, I can imagine you are quite the "party giver." Wishing you and yours a most wonderful 4th of July celebration!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AMEN on #2!! We have the exact same story and it's not fair.

    When we moved back to the states in 1987, we had only been married for 2 years. My husband was not allowed entry unless my mother sponsored him and signed legal documents saying he could not receive ANY federal assistance, she would be responsible to support him. Without her he would not have been able to receive his resident alien card. This was a 30 year old man who had worked for over 15 years and owned his own home!!!

    We shake our heads at the stories we hear.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love that photo of you and your daughters. Watching my kids watching the fireworks is one of my favorite things about them. ;)

    Lots of thought-provoking questions this week, I can't wait to read everyone's responses! :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. good hodgepodge! Enjoyed this as always. It could have been me speaking on #1! I totally agree! And freedom of speech too...it HAS to be #1. Enjoy your 4th of July celebrations!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I didn't even think about those late to the party- since I'm never late...Ha! I'll come back over the weekend! I do like interconncetivity...to the point that I look for it in just about everything. It fascinates me. And it's presence within our freedoms is no exception. Have a great 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy 4th of July! We love to visit your country as well as your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The drive-in sounds like fun. My daughter and SIL have been doing that. Your always so good at detail. I'm with you 100% on question 2. The language things has always been an issue with me. If I lived in Paris I would have to learn French! Could never get by on the vacation version. I almost said freedom of speech. Have a great 4th of July. I have all the programs set to tape!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Turns out you and I were on the same page with the freedom of speech and the freedom or religion being tied together... :-) Thanks for doing this for us each and every week! I do enjoy checking in on the fellow Hodgepodgers!

    ReplyDelete
  20. A drive-in movie is a small, simple pleasure I've never had. But oh yes, it should be added to my summer to-do list, if I can find one around. Back in the day there was one about 14 minutes away. You've eloquently stated the views I share on immigration. Getting a free education just burns me up!! Our kids didn't qualify for a dime of financial aid because we make TOO much. The irony make my blood boil!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I really like the way you worded your answer to the immigration question. Such valid points!!! Happy 4th, Joyce!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I agree with your thoughts about the immigration debate. Well said (and you did it in a nice way)!

    We have a drive-in about 30 miles away from where we live. My daughter and her family went to it a couple of weeks ago. As for me, I haven't been to a drive-in in YEARS!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I miss the drive-in movies. Ours closed down years ago and never reopened :(
    Your immigration answer was communicated very well. I agree :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I had the privilege of being with my husband at his first drive-in movie a few years back. They truly are a classic summer classic!

    I never did and still don’t understand why it was never expected to understand and speak English, except that while it is the language of the land it’s no declared. I don’t know why it wasn’t declared to nip that in the bud as soon as someone started insisting to have their other language speaking butt kissed. We waste a ton of money printing things in multiple languages that should only be printed in one declared language. My Italian speaking family did.

    Have a fantastic Fourth!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I totally agree with you on the immigration debate! And shucks, I can't believe I did not think of the flag. Anytime I see one I have to take a picture. I must of been asleep when I answered these. Enjoyed your answers!
    until next time...nel

    ReplyDelete
  26. LOL! My kids plug their ears too!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. You have a beautiful yard!! :) I have fond memories watching the fireworks at the park nearby with my cousins. However they started charging people to get in which we don't like so we stopped going. Where i live now i could see them from my house if we didn't have so many redwood trees in the way. Though we go up to the main street and watch them from there. They do charge to get in to the main field as well. Not sure why they must do that, where's the freedom? ;/ Anyway i didn't think drive in's even exited anymore! There isn't one near us, and most of them have turned into swap meets.

    ReplyDelete
  28. All of your answers are great - especially the ones about illegals and our freedoms. I definitely remember your beautiful patio and I can imagine you having many good times at your home.
    Of course I had to think of another favorite blue food - bleu cheese!!! ;-) Like you, I can never settle on one favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I imagine answering #5 briefly was really hard for you. :) Come West, we'll meet you in Napa! :)

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Drive in movies were huge around here and then for whatever reason they were gone.
    The closest one now is over 50 miles away :(

    ReplyDelete
  31. A steak medium rare sounds mighty good ... especially around that fire pit.

    Excellent answer to the immigration debate.

    Have a happy Independence Day!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I didn't get a chance to read many who joined in this week because of computer problems and the holiday.

    Hope your holiday weekend is treating you kindly Joyce.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I nominated you for an award! Come check it out.

    http://www.momontherunx2.net/epically-awesome-award-of-epic-awesomeness/

    Julia @ Mom on the Run x2

    ReplyDelete