Friday, July 3, 2015

Freebies and Frisbees

Thought for the day:  If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.  [Albert Einstein]

I CHOOSE not to climb a tree.  [morguefile]
Okay, so there IS the walking catfish, and I've seen pictures of a weird fish-like creature clinging to a tree trunk just above the water, so maybe, just maybe, SOME fish could climb a tree. If they wanted to. If they really really wanted to. Just not enough motivation, I guess. And that whole need-to-breathe thing probably puts the kibbosh on some out-of-the-water fishy endeavors, too.

Of course, Einstein wasn't really talking about fish. He was talking about rash judgments based on arbitrary standards, and how detrimental those unfair judgments can be. Not that any of YOU would make a poor judgment, right? See, that's why I'm gonna tell you about something I think you will all judge to be a good deal. I mean, what could be better than FREE, right?



Check out TB Markinson's blog to read a post about a new feature, which is a big win-win for both writers and readers. Each month, she'll be highlighting a handful of writers, and you, dear readers, can enter a drawing to win an e-version copy of a book written by each of them... plus an Amazon gift card. In this, the second month of this cool giveaway, the  featured books are as follows:

  • Immaterial Evidence by Milo James Fowler
  • Ocean of Dust by Graeme Ing
  • The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear by M. Pax
  • Twisted Earths by Untethered Realms authors
  • Hot Flashes and Cold Lemonade by Susan Flett Swiderski (Woo-HOO! That's ME!)


Good luck, y'all! Oh, and guess what? TB will be releasing another new book in the very near future, too. I'll tell y'all about it next week.

For now, since the 4th of July is right around the corner, how about a rah-rah re-run post about that special day, when more than one and a half million hot dogs are typically consumed in the United States. (Erp! And not all by me, either...) Since fireworks became legal here in Georgia on July 1, I think we're gonna have a much more explosive day than usual around here this year. And not just for the fourth, either, because it is now legal to shoot off all kinds of fireworks from 10 AM until midnight every day of the year... except July 4th and New Year's Eve, that is. Then, it's fine and dandy until 2 AM. Only place you can't use 'em? Within 100 yards of nuclear power plants and gasoline stations. Yowza! Even folks from within the fireworks industry are a wee bit concerned about the instant change from practically nothing but sparklers to virtually anything goes. Let's hope the roll-out is a safe one. (One can only hope...)

Okay, the following post originally ran on July 4, 2012 with the title Have a Bang-Up Day!

************* 

Thought for the day:  You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies dies from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.  [Erma Bombeck]


Happy 4th of July.

Didja hear what one flag said to another?

Give up?

Nothing. 

It just waved.






Cook-outs.  Parades.  Street parties.  Music.  Patriotic speeches.  Frisbee-throwing. Glorious booms of fireworks. That's what's gonna be happening all over the United States this weekend. Our little town here in Georgia will be holding an all-day street festival, followed by fireworks. Yes sirree, gonna be a real bang-up day.

                                                     Know what?  No matter WHERE you are in the world...



                                                                           I hope you have a super day!

                                                  Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

60 comments:

  1. Have a happy Fourtha, Susan! There's a lot to like about this country.

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    1. Thanks, dude. You have a happy Fourth, too. And you betcha. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world. (Wouldn't mind visiting a bunch of them, though!)

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  2. We are expecting rain in the afternoon of the 4th. I hope it come. We have already had several contained forest fires so any rain is just find with me.
    I live next to the Ventana Resort and can see the fireworks from my home. Usually the Paloma sends up fireworks too.
    With my dogs I like staying home. Plus it is hot hot hot here ! So the pool looks really inviting for my weekend.
    Your town street fair plus fire works sounds just right.
    Love the quote by Irma Bombeck.
    You have a great Forth of July.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. We've had off-and-on again monsoons today, so there might not be any fireworks in our little town tonight. (They always hold it on the 3rd, so as not to conflict with some of the bigger shows held in the area on the 4th.) My favorite kind of fireworks are the ones we can watch on TV... accompanied by good music.

      Have a super weekend. Cheers!

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  3. Too damp for fireworks here in the wilds of Tennessee. It's been raining for weeks and I'm deciding what design I'm going to use when I build the ark.

    When I lived in west Texas, fireworks would be allowed on the 4th ONLY if the drought wasn't severe. The city officials would ponder the situation before coming to a conclusion.
    "Hey, it rained last February - - so it's probably safe to use fireworks in July."

    Have a happy Independence Day, Susan!

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    1. Our friends who live in TN (Rockwood, if you know where that is) are saying the same thing about all the rain. It rained like a son of a gun both times we visited them recently, but we've had quite a bit of rain here, too. We've had quite the monsoon today, so maybe the fireworks will be called off. (Oh darn... that'd really "break my heart." NOT!)

      You have a terrific Fourth, too, cowboy.

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  4. Yoda! I love Yoda! I have a mini Yoda on my keychain.
    Happy fourth tomorrow. Don't eat the potato salad...

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    1. I love Yoda, too. He's my favorite Star Wars character. Him... along with the Ewoks.

      Thanks. I'll be wary of the tater salad. :)

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  5. Really great thoughts indeed. Enjoy your holiday.

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    1. Thank you, dear sir. And thank you for visiting my blog. My turn to return the favor...

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  6. Happy Fourth - and healthy and happy potato salad.

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    1. Thank you. I'm thinking maybe German potato salad for a change of pace...

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    2. German potato salad on the most quintessential of all American holidays - ha! Now I wont' feel quite so odd for having German bratwurst. ;-)

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    3. HA! Guess I'm a rebel. (We might even have bratburgers...)

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  7. Hope you have a great weekend, blah, I cringe at one hotdog, half a million would kill me lol

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    1. You have a super weekend, too. I must confess: I reeeeeally enjoy a good beef dog. Around our house, we call them tube steaks.

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  8. You're kidding about the fireworks in Georgia, right? The 4th of July is getting totally bangless around here and I couldn't be happier. Cody goes crazy and when that happens, it takes a smile right off my face. My son and wife go way up in the mountains because they still have the fireworks in Bozeman and their dog goes crazy too.
    Have a happy old fashioned 4th and wave that flag. LOL

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    1. Nope, I'm not kidding. Fireworks have been legal in surrounding states for years, and since some Georgians were buying them out-of-state, our politicians decided to make 'em legal here, too, to keep the revenue instate. I mean, what could possibly go wrong with the new anything goes attitude, right? I'm hoping for the best, but fearing the worst.

      Happy 4th to you, too!

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  9. Once again, Einstein's bang on the money! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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  10. Happy 4th. We shall watch all fingers and toes as we light up those darn expensive fireworks I bought. They better sizzle not fizzle. Enjoy your weekend.

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    1. Happy 4th to you, too! We didn't buy any fireworks, (although they're pretty much on sale EVERYWHERE here now) but with as hard as it's raining, I don't think there's gonna be too much in the way of fireworks going off here. Oh darn. Guess I'll just have to sit back, sip an adult beverage in the air-conditioned house, and watch 'em on television. :)

      Have a super weekend!

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  11. That is a powerful quote.

    Those books are awesome reads. I've read your book and would like to get to my copy of Twisted Earths.

    Have a great holiday weekend.

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    1. If you're talking about the Einstein quote at the top, I agree. It's one of my favorites.

      The only book I've read from this batch, other than my own, is Mary's book... and I loved it.

      You have a terrific weekend, too!

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  12. Happy Happy 4th of July Susan... I'm going to let you enjoy those fireworks at home... I'm afraid on blow up something lol...

    I will enjoy from a far.. on the TV... that might be safe enough ♡ xox

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    1. Happy happy to you, too, Launna. To tell the truth, the only "fireworks" I've ever really liked at home were these Chinese lanterns we bought years ago. They look like a flat round disc, and when you hang them, and light them, they spin around, shooting sparkler-like sparks out the sides, and then open up to show an illuminated scene inside the lantern. They're pretty, and don't make smoke, stink, or a single bang.

      I'm with you. I'd much rather watch them on television.

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  13. My turn. How many countries have the 4th of July?
    All of them.
    Okay, time to find a hot dog.

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    1. HA! Good one. :)

      If it's wrong to love hot dogs, I don't wanta be right. :)

      Happy weekend!

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  14. Happy Independence Day! I was hoping to get some pictures of the fireworks show our town puts on on the 3rd of July...but we've had rain and lightning all evening. There goes that idea.

    Off to check out TB Markinson's blog now.

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    1. We've had lots of rain here, too, but that's okay. It'll take more than a frog-choking downpour to dampen OUR spirits!

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  15. Hey lady, Happy 4th. Enjoy the parade the fireworks and the hot dogs. I got my edits back, just taking a break now, so I haven't been around, but I don't want to get too far behind. Good suggestions, so this one is a pleasure. Had a bad start to the day, but moving forward. Congratulations on the book feature, I'll have to check it out - may sales have really lagged. Got to do something! Great quote, too!
    Again, have a great weekend!

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    1. Hey, lady! Same to you!

      My sales have fallen into a pit, too, but oh well. Maybe we should actually DO something to beef up our sales? Nah... Que sera sera.

      Have a super weekend. Looking forward to your next book, so hurry up!

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  16. I wouldn't take too much notice of Einstein; on the principle of i before e except after c... he got it wrong TWICE.

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    1. HA! Good one. But I've got more faith in Einstein's principles than I do in that "i before e" one.

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  17. That Einstein quote has often been used by critics of standardized testing -- so far, to no avail. As long as testing companies are making money and politicians are villainizing teachers to get elected ... Wait. This is not a patriotic speech. Is it?

    How about Happy Fourth of July? May you enjoy spectacular weather, beautiful fireworks, and great food!

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    1. I love that Einstein quote, but I didn't realize it was used by standardized testing critics. (Good quote choice for them!) Yes, what you're saying could very well be deemed patriotic. You recognize the shortfalls of our country's educational system, and want things to improve for the sake of our country, our children, and our future. Sounds patriotic to me.

      Happy Fourth of July to you, too! Kinda wet around here, but the food is always good!

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  18. The post is inspirational. Einstein's quote has been one of my favorite. That's why it has been on my blog for so long. Had a nice read.

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    1. Thanks. That's right! I'd forgotten that you feature that Einstein quote on your blog. It's one of my favorites, too. (Great minds think alike?)

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  19. Wow. I lived in GA for year, and I find the legalization of nothing but sparklers to Anything Goes concerning. I guess we're going to be reading new ways people have killed themselves with fireworks in GA. So glad I don't live in GA any longer because my dog hates the 4th of July (and all the booms). I don't think she could take it all year long.

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    1. The quantum leap in the law concerns me, too. I haven't heard any reports of accidents yet, and I hope it stays that way.

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  20. Happy 4th of July. I know I'm late, but I was celebrating yesterday by eating bbq in London. Not quite as good as back home, but it's better than nothing.

    Thanks so much for being part of the giveaway this month. It's an honor to host you.

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    1. I hope you had a super 4th. I imagine BBQ in London may be a little different than what we call BBQ here in the states.Hmm, unless the person fixing it is from the states...

      Thank YOU. I think your giveaways are great!

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  21. Hope you had a great 4th July weekend! Loved reading your post.

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  22. Awesome post! Hoping you had a lovely fourth July weekend!

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  23. The Fourth of July may be my favorite holiday as the party comes to me. Full orchestra, parade, patriotic music, flyovers, fireworks, and fried dough right outside my front door. It’s awesome, though very little writing gets done. Ahem.

    My pup is not going to be happy with GA’s new fireworks law. He’s already iffy on all the thunderstorms there this year.

    Hope your fourth soared and sparkled!

    VR Barkowski

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    1. Yeah, I imagine they celebrate the Fourth in a huge way up there. Around here, some of the people seem to think we're still part of the Confederacy. (Just kidding!) (Sorta...)

      A lot of people aren't thrilled with GA's new fireworks law, either. The police got a boatload of calls complaining about all the noise, but oh well, it was perfectly legal to disturb the peace up until two o'clock in the morning. I have a feeling the legislators may do some tweaking to the law next year. I sure hope so, anyway.

      It soared and sparkled plenty enough for me. (We watched the fireworks on TV!) Sounds like yours was pretty doggone terrific.

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  24. Great quotes by Einsteen and Erma! What a team! TB's drawing sounds fantastic, especially because Hot Flashes is included in it. I'm glad you had a nice 4th of July weekend, Susan.

    Julie

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    1. They sure are a cool team... wouldn't it be a hoot to have them both at the dinner table? Oh, and let's add Mark Twain and Will Rogers to the mix, too, to keep things even more interesting...

      Aw, how sweet. It is really nice of TB to shine the spotlight on so many different books... and so many different KIND of books... every month.

      Thanks. I hope you had a super weekend, too. (Almost time to wish you another one!)

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  25. I'm way behind in reading blog posts, as usual. Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend! :)

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    1. Whattaya mean "way behind"? You're here, aren't you? No such thing as being late in the blogosphere. :)

      We did have a wonderful weekend, and I hope you did, too.

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  26. Hi Susan - hope you and the family all had a happy time ... gosh and Daisy thinks she's way behind ... ah well I had a long swiiiiiiim ....

    Great idea of TB's ... and I love the bloggers she's highlighting and yes woo-hoo .. tis you ... cheers Hilary

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