The Jungle Reds Fourth of July QUIZ!

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!

DEBORAH CROMBIE:

 

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.

 

RHYS BOWEN

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

 

JENN McKINLAY: 

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!

 

LUCY BURDETTE

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!

 

HALLIE EPHRON: 

 

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.

 

 

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING

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!

Checking in on July 4

 

LUCY BURDETTE: Fourth of July is a big deal in our little historic Connecticut town--we have a big parade with many floats and bands like the one above (video taken in 2019.) John and I always go with whatever visitors we have at the time, and I suspect it will be even longer and more enthusiastic this year because of what we've all been through. The parade starts at the Stop and Shop and marches right through the center of town, past the old town hall and then the green, on which our Congregational church sits. So we'll go to church at 9, and then walk over for a good view of the parade. If I'm successful, I'll persuade John to walk down to the snack bar and snag a tuna melt. Not so good for my waistline, but oh so delicious!

And we will think about how lucky we are to live in this country, even with all its lumps and bumps. And give thanks for the founding fathers (even though founding mothers should have been there too!) who had the foresight to come up with the plans for a new country...

Please check in: Do you have any special plans for the holiday?

Considering the Fourth of July

LUCY BURDETTE: I had the choice today of posting a photo of a flag and wishing us all happy birthday. But it felt hard to settle for that after our last two weeks in Ireland and Scotland. For me, a good reason for traveling is to get lifted out of my own small version of the world and see things as others see them. 

The histories of Scotland and Ireland are rife with conflict and loss and rivalry. One small castle in the neck of Scotland witnessed power sawing back and forth over centuries between warring factions with many lives cruelly lost in the process. In Ireland, we heard about the violence of the Troubles, the conflicts between Protestants and Catholics. In both countries we witnessed the pain of countries ripped into pieces. This is a war song written and sung by Colin Urwin of Haste to the Wedding that we heard in the storytelling barn. (Recording of the band's music will be coming soon...)



We also heard news stories about what might happen if Brexit is adopted--many Scots we met believe that if Brexit goes through, Scotland will vote to become independent. Though this might result in a recession and many difficult adjustments in their relationship with the UK, some believe this is the better path. (The American Psychological Association Monitor published a recent article describing how people are suffering from anxiety and depression after the Brexit vote--regardless of which side they voted for.) Change will come hard...

Also while we were away, we read stories about the police shooting in South Bend, Indiana, and watched videos of the angry response from African Americans in South Bend. And heard more terrible stories about the growing border crisis. I've pasted another song below from Colin about the losses that come from segregation...



  Does all change have to come through human suffering? Have we not learned anything from history? I was encouraged by our visit to Liz Weir's barn--she was invited to work with the team attempting to make peace in Ireland--through storytelling. I can't say exactly how that might have worked, though I imagine it involved a lot of listening, and learning from history, and setting smaller egos aside in the service of a greater good. 

In fact she has said: “When we started off the Troubles were at their height, and somebody would get up and tell a story about an Orange Lodge dinner, and somebody else would tell a story about going to Mass. The fact was we were all listening to each other’s stories, and respecting each other’s stories, and I think that’s very important. If you listen to someone’s story, you’re giving the utmost respect.” 



My wish for our country’s birthday—that we listen to each other and find a peaceful way to move past the contentiousness we are mired in these days....how about you?

Diannekc, you are the winner of the Wicked prize package. Please email Barbaraannross at gmail dot com to arrange delivery--congrats!