Originally Posted by tomwed

The usual. Early in the morning I hide the Fourth of July Red, White and Blue hard boiled eggs. And then after the fireworks I look for them. Sometimes I find them all, sometimes nothing. After a couple of days with the AC off they get easy to find.

Are the red white and blue eggs from red white and blue chickens because that would be NOTHING but awesome!

Happy Independence Day everybody.

[Abby10]

Amen to W's closing statement last night. NOTHING is a choice.

I'm sure there is no need to remind anyone that today is Wednesday, July 4th, Independence Day 2018. A day of gathering with friends and family for fireworks, bbq's, and celebration. But I wonder how many people really reflect on why we are celebrating or is it just another party day for many.

Two things often come to my mind on this day each year. Many say they are proud to be Americans. NOTHING wrong with that, but I like to reflect on how grateful I am to be an American. It wasn't my choice, it was my destiny, determined by someone greater than me. And I am grateful......... to be living in a country that is so diverse in more ways than one, that values liberty and freedom, and that offers opportunities beyond one's wildest dreams.

The second thing I can't help but reflect on was how I felt when some years back we celebrated our 200th birthday of this great nation. Perhaps at that time I was finally mature enough to realize how truly great it is. As I thought about how much we as a people and a nation had accomplished in such a short time frame compared to any other country, I was overwhelmed with emotion. How can anyone not think that is exceptional? What other country can claim that kind of success and opportunity to it's people? And how did I get to be so fortunate to be born an American? I do not say these things with a prideful heart because although I think we have a right to be proud to be Americans, it is obvious to me that there is more behind the success of our country than just it's people. There is a higher authority that has chosen to bless America. That is why today, I choose to be grateful.

As I continue to reflect today, I will also be praying for a safe and joyous day for my NOTHING family and beyond.

Originally Posted by Abby10

Amen to W's closing statement last night. NOTHING is a choice.

I'm sure there is no need to remind anyone that today is Wednesday, July 4th, Independence Day 2018. A day of gathering with friends and family for fireworks, bbq's, and celebration. But I wonder how many people really reflect on why we are celebrating or is it just another party day for many.

Two things often come to my mind on this day each year. Many say they are proud to be Americans. NOTHING wrong with that, but I like to reflect on how grateful I am to be an American. It wasn't my choice, it was my destiny, determined by someone greater than me. And I am grateful......... to be living in a country that is so diverse in more ways than one, that values liberty and freedom, and that offers opportunities beyond one's wildest dreams.

The second thing I can't help but reflect on was how I felt when some years back we celebrated our 200th birthday of this great nation. Perhaps at that time I was finally mature enough to realize how truly great it is. As I thought about how much we as a people and a nation had accomplished in such a short time frame compared to any other country, I was overwhelmed with emotion. How can anyone not think that is exceptional? What other country can claim that kind of success and opportunity to it's people? And how did I get to be so fortunate to be born an American? I do not say these things with a prideful heart because although I think we have a right to be proud to be Americans, it is obvious to me that there is more behind the success of our country than just it's people. There is a higher authority that has chosen to bless America. That is why today, I choose to be grateful.

As I continue to reflect today, I will also be praying for a safe and joyous day for my NOTHING family and beyond.

Not that I don't love America and wouldn't live any place else, we are a prideful bunch. When I went to Europe I was very surprised and humbled to know that they are very much superior to us in many ways. I came back with a completely different perspective about our place in the world. I think if all nations could just learn from one another instead of being at odds all the time it would be NOTHING but wonderful.

[Abby10]

Originally Posted by fw102807

Not that I don't love America and wouldn't live any place else, we are a prideful bunch. When I went to Europe I was very surprised and humbled to know that they are very much superior to us in many ways. I came back with a completely different perspective about our place in the world. I think if all nations could just learn from one another instead of being at odds all the time it would be NOTHING but wonderful.

I think I understand what you're saying, but I wonder if it doesn't in some respects have to do with how one lives their life and the kind of people one surrounds themself with. We have so much material wealth in this country compared to most others and some people base their value on that. They also take great pride in that. You don't see that as much in Europe, for example. They value other things, more important things in my opinion, much more.

Here is an example of feeling proud in what I would call the right way. When I went to stay with a family in France for several weeks (as an adult not a student), we obviously shared a lot of stories about our personal lives, but we also talked about our countries. As my new French friend began to speak to me with his eyes filled with tears about how he felt about the US and what we did for his country at Normandy, I was not only surprised and overcome with emotion myself, but I felt proud. It was certainly not proud in a selfish sense since I had NOTHING to do with that which he spoke of, but proud to be part of a country that would lay their lives on the line not just for their own but for others as well. He acknowledged that without that event his country would no longer be in existence. It was an unforgettable moment and made visiting Normandy shortly after that a very heartfelt experience for me.

I had one other instance that happened there on the train from Paris to Vannes which is where I stayed with my host family. The group I was traveling with noticed a rather excited group of young men on the train. They weren't out of line, but just noisy and noticeable, and maybe some having had a little too much to drink. One of my travel companions began to engage in conversation with one of them to see what all the fuss was about. Come to find out they were French Navy men who were coming home on leave. He apologized on behalf of the group for being a little carried away and then began to tell my friend how much he/they loved the Americans and how happy he was to meet us. With great shock and gratitude we accepted the French flag that they were carrying with him as he presented it to our group leader as a remembrance of our meeting. Again, a moment I'll never forget.

Originally Posted by Abby10

I think I understand what you're saying, but I wonder if it doesn't in some respects have to do with how one lives their life and the kind of people one surrounds themself with. We have so much material wealth in this country compared to most others and some people base their value on that. They also take great pride in that. You don't see that as much in Europe, for example. They value other things, more important things in my opinion, much more.

Here is an example of feeling proud in what I would call the right way. When I went to stay with a family in France for several weeks (as an adult not a student), we obviously shared a lot of stories about our personal lives, but we also talked about our countries. As my new French friend began to speak to me with his eyes filled with tears about how he felt about the US and what we did for his country at Normandy, I was not only surprised and overcome with emotion myself, but I felt proud. It was certainly not proud in a selfish sense since I had NOTHING to do with that which he spoke of, but proud to be part of a country that would lay their lives on the line not just for their own but for others as well. He acknowledged that without that event his country would no longer be in existence. It was an unforgettable moment and made visiting Normandy shortly after that a very heartfelt experience for me.

I had one other instance that happened there on the train from Paris to Vannes which is where I stayed with my host family. The group I was traveling with noticed a rather excited group of young men on the train. They weren't out of line, but just noisy and noticeable, and maybe some having had a little too much to drink. One of my travel companions began to engage in conversation with one of them to see what all the fuss was about. Come to find out they were French Navy men who were coming home on leave. He apologized on behalf of the group for being a little carried away and then began to tell my friend how much he/they loved the Americans and how happy he was to meet us. With great shock and gratitude we accepted the French flag that they were carrying with him as he presented it to our group leader as a remembrance of our meeting. Again, a moment I'll never forget.

I NOTHING but agree but our experience in Normandy was quite different than our experience in Paris where they do not love us as much. I am not saying that America is not a great country because it very much is but I think sometimes our collective attitude is that we are superior. In the Scandinavian countries they told us that their youth were being "Americanized" and no longer wanted to do manual labor. That made me sad.

[Abby10]

Originally Posted by fw102807

I NOTHING but agree but our experience in Normandy was quite different than our experience in Paris where they do not love us as much. I am not saying that America is not a great country because it very much is but I think sometimes our collective attitude is that we are superior. In the Scandinavian countries they told us that their youth were being "Americanized" and no longer wanted to do manual labor. That made me sad.

I NOTHING (gotta get our NOTHINGS in....lol) but agree with you about that. I found Paris was completely different. I guess my point was that no matter where you go people will be people. And no matter where you are from, it's the common values that you hold dearly that will bond you along with the willingness to be open-minded and accepting that makes the difference. One of my husband's favorite quotes -

“People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care” Teddy Roosevelt

Attitudes like this can transcend barriers based on preconceived notions. We are still great friends with some of our French families. They have been to our house here and hope to visit us in TV one day.

Just have to add, that is something about Scandinavia. In France and England they thought just the opposite about us when we were there. Maybe it's because of the profession we are in and how we worked over the years but they thought we worked way too much and too little vacation compared to them. Same in Italy from what I have been told by friends and relatives that have spent time there. Of course, I'm speaking our generation. Maybe they see our youth today differently and comparing to that?

[Nucky]

I know about NOTHING other than NJ and Florida. I’m good with that. God Bless America. Since my world is small I have no perspective other than what I read. All in All, I pick here.

Some of my favorite feel good moments were after 9/11. No Political Talk. I Love our Country!

Originally Posted by Abby10

I NOTHING (gotta get our NOTHINGS in....lol) but agree with you about that. I found Paris was completely different. I guess my point was that no matter where you go people will be people. And no matter where you are from, it's the common values that you hold dearly that will bond you along with the willingness to be open-minded and accepting that makes the difference. One of my husband's favorite quotes -

“People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care” Teddy Roosevelt

Attitudes like this can transcend barriers based on preconceived notions. We are still great friends with some of our French families. They have been to our house here and hope to visit us in TV one day.

Just have to add, that is something about Scandinavia. In France and England they thought just the opposite about us when we were there. Maybe it's because of the profession we are in and how we worked over the years but they thought we worked way too much and too little vacation compared to them. Same in Italy from what I have been told by friends and relatives that have spent time there. Of course, I'm speaking our generation. Maybe they see our youth today differently and comparing to that?

It's funny because we have Scottish friends who live here and one of their favorite lines is "Don't worry we are European we won't sue" I NOTHING but love America but think that we could definitely learn from others if we could be more open minded. Europeans do have a better attitude about work/time off also our professionals are workaholics but I think many (not all) of our youth are slackers.

[Abby10]

Somebody better get on here and get the party started. Fw and I (and yes, I admit to starting it) are getting NOTHING but too informational and serious on here and not enough fun.

Ok, fw, I do have a funny overseas story. My son, my sister-in-law, and I were in a shop in France looking for gifts to take home. The shopkeeper did not seem to be too amused to have 3 Americans in the store who didn't even know what we were looking for. After a period of time and feeling a bit uncomfortable we decided to exit. In our rush and nervousness, 2 out of 3 of us forgot want country we were even in as one said good-bye in Spanish, the second in German, and the third finally in French. Not sure if the shopkeeper thought we were all nuts or what, but we sure got a laugh out of it once we realized what had happened.

[Abby10]

Originally Posted by fw102807

It's funny because we have Scottish friends who live here and one of their favorite lines is "Don't worry we are European we won't sue" I NOTHING but love America but think that we could definitely learn from others if we could be more open minded. Europeans do have a better attitude about work/time off also our professionals are workaholics but I think many (not all) of our youth are slackers.

Totally ditto all of that NOTHING!

Originally Posted by Nucky

I know about NOTHING other than NJ and Florida. I’m good with that. God Bless America. Since my world is small I have no perspective other than what I read. All in All, I pick here.

Some of my favorite feel good moments were after 9/11. No Political Talk. I Love our Country!

As well you should we are a great nation. NOTHING more to say.

Originally Posted by Abby10

Somebody better get on here and get the party started. Fw and I (and yes, I admit to starting it) are getting NOTHING but too informational and serious on here and not enough fun.

Ok, fw, I do have a funny overseas story. My son, my sister-in-law, and I were in a shop in France looking for gifts to take home. The shopkeeper did not seem to be too amused to have 3 Americans in the store who didn't even know what we were looking for. After a period of time and feeling a bit uncomfortable we decided to exit. In our rush and nervousness, 2 out of 3 of us forgot want country we were even in as one said good-bye in Spanish, the second in German, and the third finally in French. Not sure if the shopkeeper thought we were all nuts or what, but we sure got a laugh out of it once we realized what had happened.

I totally agree let's get this party started because we are NOTHING but just for fun!

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by Abby10

How did I miss your 2 NOTHING posts? Ok, so you're both here, now we just have to wait for K to get the party started. After all, he's the one with the food!

NOTHING is way too deep for me this morning before I've had coffee..

Today is the day we celebrate kicking the British's butts..

[Wiotte]

Originally Posted by fw102807

We are dangerously close to being political so let's nip this in the bud and get back to NOTHING. I plead guilty to starting it and am sorry. It is a day to celebrate our NOTHINGNESS

I’m done. NOTHINGNESS from now on, until the next national holiday 🤫


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Originally Posted by Wiotte

I’m done. NOTHINGNESS from now on, until the next national holiday 🤫


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Cheers to all my NOTHING buddies, let the party begin