HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Happy Fourth of July, Reds and Readers, and we hope you are celebrating like mad. If you are in Canada, hooray, belated Happy Canada Day. If you are elsewhere, happy anything you want it to be.
Because the Reds are all in the US, let’s talk about July 4 traditions. And I’ll make it easy… Here’s a quiz! (Very very critical questions.)
One: Hotdogs or hamburgers?
Tw:. If hotdogs, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, sauerkraut? Or what combination? Oh, how about cheese?
Three: Does potato salad include vinegar or mayonnaise?
Four: Would you drink beer out of a bottle?
Five: Sparklers? Yes or No?
Six: If “yes” on sparklers, twirling or not twirling?
Seven: Have you ever set off a firecracker?
Eight: Watching Fourth of July festivities on TV. Yes or no?
Nine: Are you a fan of the national anthem? Just musically, not patriotically. (I just read a cool article about it, and it was fascinating.) Do you know the second verse?
Ten:: Apple pie or Strawberry shortcake?
I say:
One. Hotdogs or hamburgers?
>>Either one is fine with me. It depends on a lot of things. I would choose hamburgers, I guess. Cooked outside, goes without saying.
Two. If hotdogs, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, sauerkraut? Or what combination? Oh, how about cheese?
>>Mustard and relish. Ketchup does NOT go on hotdogs.
Three: Does potato salad include vinegar or mayonnaise?
>>Either one is fine, but wouldn’t vinegar be safer?
Four: Would you drink beer out of a bottle?
>>I have, but I would prefer not to. I don’t love beer anyway, except at Fenway Park.
Five: Sparklers? Yes or No
>>In my youth, but now, ah, seems dangerous.
Six: If yes on sparklers, twirling or not twirling?
>>in my youth, definitely twirling. Two at a time. And throwing. Yikes.
Seven: Have you ever set off a firecracker?
>>No. Nor have I ever been close to anyone who did. Hmm.
Eight: Watching Fourth of July festivities on TV. Yes or no?
>>Yes, I’m in Boston. What can I say.
Nine: Are you a fan of the national anthem? Just musically, not patriotically. (I just read a cool article about it, and it was fascinating.)
>>When it is sung properly, and when it’s clear the singer understands it, it’s amazing. LOTS of points off for saying PAIR-OH-LUSS instead of perilous. (There’s no OH in there.) And points off for changing the melody or trying to make it jazzy. I think it should make you cry, and I have heard it sung that way. Yes, I know the second verse.
Ten: Apple pie or Strawberry shortcake?
>>May I have just plain strawberries?
How about you, Reds and readers? Copy and paste and answer!
One: Hotdogs or hamburgers?
Hamburgers. I've tried some gourmet hotdogs a couple of times this year and they were too salty to eat.
Two: If hotdogs, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, sauerkraut? Or what combination? Oh, how about cheese?
Mustard and dill relish!! No cheese–that's weird.
Three: Does potato salad include vinegar or mayonnaise?
I prefer mayo, but not for a picnic.
Four: Would you drink beer out of a bottle?
I would if I drank beer! How about a cold cider?
Five: Sparklers? Yes or No?
I loved them as a kid. Now my first thought is "ouch." Sparkler burns really hurt.
Six: If “yes” on sparklers, twirling or not twirling?
Definitely twirling!
Seven: Have you ever set off a firecracker?
Nope. Not ever. And I wish no one else would.
Eight: Watching Fourth of July festivities on TV. Yes or no?
Yes! Especially the fireworks on our big TV.
Nine: Are you a fan of the national anthem? Just musically, not patriotically. (I just read a cool article about it, and it was fascinating.) Do you know the second verse?
It can be chill inducing if it's sung well. No warbling!! And I do know the second verse.
Ten: Apple pie or Strawberry shortcake?
Strawberry shortcake! Yum. Now I'm hungry.
One: Hotdogs or hamburgers?
A 4th picnic is the only home I’d think of eating a hotdog
Two: If hotdogs, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, sauerkraut? Or what combination? Oh, how about cheese?
Mustard, relish, onions
Three: Does potato salad include vinegar or mayonnaise?
I make a great potato salad with mayo and ranch dressing
Four: Would you drink beer out of a bottle?
Never! I’m British! We don’t do such things
Five: Sparklers? Yes or No?
I love looking at fireworks but they are banned in my part of the world. Fire danger
Six: If “yes” on sparklers, twirling or not twirling?
Seven: Have you ever set off a firecracker?
No!!!
Eight: Watching Fourth of July festivities on TV. Yes or no?
Probably not. The family is visiting
Nine: Are you a fan of the national anthem? Just musically, not patriotically. (I just read a cool article about it, and it was fascinating.) Do you know the second verse?
I love when it’s sung well. Not screeched by some pop singer. I cry as the flag is raised at the Olympics!
Ten: Apple pie or Strawberry shortcake?
Apple pie. With whipped cream. Yum
One:
Hotdogs
Two: If hotdogs, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions. Stop there! Perfect.
Three: Does potato salad include vinegar or mayonnaise? Mayonnaise but more importantly sour cream and chives.
Four: Would you drink beer out of a bottle?
Of course, it’s a picnic.
Five: Sparklers? Yes or No?
Yes!
Six: If “yes” on sparklers, twirling or not twirling?
Twirling, please.
Seven: Have you ever set off a firecracker?
Yes. But not big ones.
Eight: Watching Fourth of July festivities on TV. Yes or no?
No. We sit on the roof and watch the different fireworks shows from all over the Valley.
Nine: Are you a fan of the national anthem? Just musically, not patriotically. (I just read a cool article about it, and it was fascinating.) Do you know the second verse?
Yes, I’m a fan. Mostly, because of the Olympics. There is something about hearing it playing while the flag is raised. Not sure I know the second verse, however.
Ten: Apple pie or Strawberry shortcake?
Strawberry shortcake! Apple pie is for winter!
One: Hotdogs or hamburgers?
Either, could I have one of each please?
Two: If hotdogs, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, sauerkraut? Or what combination? Oh, how about cheese?
Mustard and sauerkraut on the hotdog. Mustard, relish and cheese on the burger.
Three: Does potato salad include vinegar or mayonnaise?
I’ve been wanting to try a recipe for vinegar and now you’ve got my mouth watering…
Four: Would you drink beer out of a bottle?
Of course! I’ll sit with Jenn and guzzle…
Five: Sparklers? Yes or No?
Not really.
Six: If “yes” on sparklers, twirling or not twirling?
See above.
Seven: Have you ever set off a firecracker?
We used to do those little ash snakes as a kid, does that count?
Eight: Watching Fourth of July festivities on TV. Yes or no?
No. There are fireworks off the beach in downtown Madison so we find a way to watch at a distance.
Nine: Are you a fan of the national anthem? Just musically, not patriotically. (I just read a cool article about it, and it was fascinating.) Do you know the second verse?
I agree, if someone really nails it, I get cold chills!
Ten: Apple pie or Strawberry shortcake?
Shortcake for sure, with fresh strawberries, homemade biscuits, and homemade whipped cream!
One: Hot dogs! All beef, not veggie please.
Two: Mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, sauerkraut?
ALL OF THE ABOVE. Hold the cheese. Ick.
Three:
potato salad needs vinegar AND mayonnaise?
Four: Beer from a bottle?
Why not?
Five, Six: Sparklers - holding them far from my face and squinting terrified.
Seven: HEAVENS NO to setting off a firecracker? You can lose and eye or a finger doing that.
Eight: No TV. And no crowds please. Just my quietish backyard.
Nine: No, I do not love the national anthem.
Ten: Watermelon please (not cake or pie) followed by seed spitting contests.
One: Hotdogs or hamburgers?
One of each! It’s a holiday, baby, and my greatx9 grandfather Cornelius McEachron didn’t fight the British to limit my options.
Two: If hotdogs, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, sauerkraut? Or what combination? Oh, how about cheese?
Mustard in hotdogs, but occasionally I’ll do the traditional MKR combo. Love cheese on my backyard-grilled burgers.
Three: Does potato salad include vinegar or mayonnaise?
German potato salad has vinegar and sugar and I make that in the winter. American potato salad has mayo and hard=boiled eggs. My mother’s secret was a generous tablespoon of mustard powder in the mayo, and to sprinkle the top with paprika.
Four: Would you drink beer out of a bottle?
There’s… another way to drink bottled beer?
Five: Sparklers? Yes or No?
Yes!!!
Six: If “yes” on sparklers, twirling or not twirling?
Twirling and dancing and racing around on the lawn.
Seven: Have you ever set off a firecracker?
I have not. Maine only made firework sales legal eleven years ago, and we were never a family to bring illicit rocket bottles back from New Hampshire. Plus, dogs and firecrackers do not mix.
Eight: Watching Fourth of July festivities on TV. Yes or no?
Traditionally, I’ve gone to a party on Munjoy Hill in Portland and then attended the free open-air PSO concert - absolutely the best 4th of July experience available. Sadly, none of that has happened in the past two years, and they’re not playing again this year, so I’ll enjoy watching “A Capitol Fourth” broadcasting from DC, with the National Symphony Orchestra playing on the Capitol lawn. I used to go when I lived in DC, and it brings so many pleasant memories back.
Nine: Are you a fan of the national anthem? Just musically, not patriotically. (I just read a cool article about it, and it was fascinating.) Do you know the second verse?
So, my Grandmother Spencer’s maiden name was Key, and family lore has it we are descendents of Francis Scott Key. So I am naturally very enthused by our anthem. (And am now feeling guilty because I don’t have the second verse by heart.)
However, let’s be honest - there are a LOT of countries whose anthems are musically superior to ours. Maybe we should have gone for something other than an 18th century British pub song?
Ten: Apple pie or Strawberry shortcake?
I don’t think I’ve ever been offered apple pie in the summer! Strawberry shortcake with blueberries is the most popular Independence Day dessert in Maine.
HANK: SO much fun...and I wish you could all come over for a cookout and singing and sparkler twirling! If you are a twirler, and as you can see, the Reds are divided on that critical point..
How about about you, Readers? Copy and paste the questions at the top---and let us know what YOU think! Or..don't copy, and just tell us!
Hope you have a wonderful day!
