Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 312

The time really does  fly by. Especially during the summer months. To me the 4th of July has always signified the middle of summer. I know technically it isn't, but it feels that way.
 I now go to Hodgepodge celebrating the 4th of July.
I could not get the Hodgepodge symbol to my blog this morning. Sorry about that.
Here we go-

1. When and where were the best fireworks you've ever seen? Speaking of fireworks...do you know your hot buttons? The things people can say and/or do to set you off? When was the last time someone pushed one of your hot buttons?
I think the best fireworks I ever saw had to have been in 1986. My son was 2 years old, and it was the first time he had seen fireworks. He was thrilled and amazed and excited the way only a child can be. Of course, when it was all over he was heartbroken, but we moved past that. Then he wanted to know how they were made and why they disappeared. 
My HOT BUTTONS are pushed when I am told I can't do something. Not anything illegal just something I want to do. I don't think I should have to ask permission to do what I want so being told no is a real button pusher. I see red when I am called an idiot. 
I get very angry/upset when I see a parent mistreating a child. If they do this in public I wonder what it must be like at home. I have stepped in before things got out of hand. Animals left in hot cars.
2. Have you hosted any outdoor summer parties this year? Attended any? What makes for a great outdoor party?
I have not hosted any parties this summer. It seems as if our hosting days are over. I was just missing that activity yesterday. In August I will be a guest/ host at a family party. My BFF's dad and step mom are coming into town. Yes, I am an official non-family family member. Her dad is very, very special to me. I knew him in high school, but didn't meet my friend til a year after. Strange but true my own family is having a reunion and I won't be attending.

3. What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom is pretty much what our Founding Father's thought it was. I want to be able to go where I want and when. I want to be able to speak my opinion and  not be  fearful.  I want to believe in God and practice my religion without fear.  I want to be able to have conversations with like minded people, and with those of different opinions.

4. July is National Cell Phone Courtesy month...what annoys you most about people's cell phone habits?
I really hate to see people driving while talking on their phone. Holding it up to their ear. I talk and drive, but I either use the speaker part of the phone or a headset. It takes less concentration this way. Concentration I can use for my driving. Holding the phone means driving one handed and not paying as close attention to the activity on the road.

5. What's your current summer anthem?
I'm not sure I understand what is required here. So I will go with music. One of my favorite songs of the summer is "Drift Away", by Dobie Gray.
You may listen to it here I hope:
https://youtu.be/gr_eVcCAUXo
If by anthem it means how I am living my summer it is by trying to stay cool. Brief periods outside, longer periods in the A/C. Flea market, garage sales and back into the a/c car.
6.  Insert your own random thought here.
I never thought of myself as being the blonde that blonde jokes come from. However, the consensus is that I truly am. What a shock. Here is why.
 I have tried to be a vegetable gardener, but have failed miserably. After several tries I gave up, and only grow flowers. I have much better luck. 
I was with my BFF at a nursery while she purchased plants for her garden. I started talking to the Master Gardener about my vegetable growing problem. 
 He asked all sorts of questions. How much did I water, what nutrients did I give my plants, did I make sure to weed. I answered just fine right up until he asked if my vegetable plants got flowers. I answered yes and I always made sure to dead head them. Wrong answer!! And there is my problem. I guess everyone in the world knows that you don't dead head vegetable plants, because that is where the vegetable comes from. 
I became blonde in just those few moments. However, that day at the garden center I did give some comedy relief to anyone who happened to overhear our conversation. Oh, and everyone my BFF called to tell the the story. 
I really don't mind, but I think I will color my hair red.

And what would my hodgepodge be without a photo.

This was taken at Limestone Lake in Minnesota.  We used to go there fishing and for picnics. The husband and wife who owned the area had a resort and rented out boats and motors. The wife grew up across the street from my mom and uncle. The Mr. has gone gone a while now, but Mrs. is still there at 95. She doesn't rent out anything now. I had the privilege of visiting with her last Thursday, and am making plans to go back. This time to fish and to visit some more.