Hometown America

[Arden]

As we remember the horror of September 11th, I 'd like people to think about how great their hometown in America really is....

From the small hometowns with that "Main Street America" look to the crowded cities moving at warp speed every day...

What, specifically, makes your hometown in America, so very special? Dig deep........

This could be a town where you were born and raised, or the city you live in now, or something inbetween... you decide.

As an alternative, you might share with us what you love about the USA!




Arden
*Take Pride In America*

 

[Artemesia]

My hometown has a low cost of living.

It's laid back. The crime rate's not too bad.

It's a college town - so there's a good nightlife and lots of different people to meet. We have an outstanding local music scene.

It's a young city - not quite 100 years old, so while it doesn't have the history that some cities have, it was planned with a 20th century mindset.

It's easy to get around in - you can't get lost.

It has a subtle beauty that takes years to appreciate. The colors are muted and soft. The sunsets are gorgeous. You can see forever. In the springtime when the storms build and move in - it is a sight behold. We have prairie dogs, jackrabbits, and horny toads.

We have a place that makes the best fried cheese ever.

 

[Arden]

One thing I like about my adopted city on the west coast of Michigan is the fact that almost all the houses have front porches... it's a Victorian era town.

In this town, even before Sept. 11th of last year, more than half the residents displayed the antique-style draped, semicirclular flags from the porch rooflines. Taking a walk in the evening reveals a true hometown America feel... porches, flags, kids playing in the yards... elderly on their porches enjoying each others company on the glider... the smell of the family barbecue wafting on the breeze...

My hometown is small, only about 10,000 souls. There are 33 churches dating back to the 1870s... everyone knows their neighbors here... Our 4th of July celebration lasts an entire week... the Memorial Day ceremonies at the local cemeteries are teeming with family members... small flags dot the graves of every veteran from the Civil War to the present.

Just some things that I like about my hometown in America. I feel so lucky to be here.

 

[Artemesia]

Just some things that I like about my hometown in America. I feel so lucky to be here.

You said it, sister.

 

[Arden]

Thanks for giving us your thoughts, Artemesia!

 

[Arden]

More

Something else I like about my town... I live 1/2 block from the high school ca. 1903, and the marching band practices in the school parking lot. So on occasions I get John Phillip Sousa throughout the house... and I love it. I never got that in the big city.

My town... no murders for 30 years.

My town... a cool Riverwalk similar to San Antonio's

My town... a place wher I have peace and quiet at last.

And when the bells on the Catholic Church ring (a block from me), I am reminded that my great grandparents were married there in 1881. These are the same bells that they heard....

 

[baby blue]

I love my hometown....It is not where I was born or where I grew up. However, it is where my kids were born and where they will grow up. The best thing about my town is that it is diverse in its thinking and in its people. It is a great town to raise kids and be happy. I plan to be here for a long long time!

 

[Arden]

I love my hometown.... .....I plan to be here for a long long time!

Hi from an ex Dallasite... I spent 22 years there prior to coming here... Thanks for contributing!

 

[Arden]

America rocks! Bump!

 

[Arden]

Some music for inspiration...


THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND

Woody Guthrie.....1940

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters
This land was made for you and me

As I went walking that ribbon of highway
And saw above me that endless skyway
And saw below me the golden valley, I said:
This land was made for you and me

I roamed and rambled, and followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me, a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me

Was a big high wall there that tried to stop me
A sign was painted said: Private Property
But on the back side it didn't say nothing
This land was made for you and me

When the sun came shining, then I was strolling
In wheat fields waving, and dust clouds rolling
The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting
This land was made for you and me

One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple
By the Relief office I saw my people--
As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering if
This land was made for you and me

Later Changed to:

In the squares of the city by the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office I saw my people
And some were stumbling and some were wondering if
This land was made for you and me.

As I went rumbling that dusty highway
I saw a sign that said private property
But on the other side it didn't say nothing
This land was made for you and me.

 

[galen ubal]

My hometown?

It's the center of Detroit, in a small house with a few too many people in it to be comfortable - but it was.
It's Hawaii, Pacific Palisades, with banana trees growing in the backyard, and the planes flying overhead as they filmed Tora! Tora! Tora!.
It's Illinois, Chanute Air Force Base, with the only sleddin' hill for a hundred miles around, and an apple tree in the backyard.
It's still Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, on my own, poor and confused and loving it.
It's Florida, Ocala, broken at first but slowly healing.

...and many other places, not homes, but places.

My hometown? The people I know and love, my family, my friends. All over this country. My hometown.

 

[Arden]

My hometown?

It's the center of Detroit, in a small house with a few too many people in it to be comfortable - but it was.
It's Hawaii, Pacific Palisades, with banana trees growing in the backyard, and the planes flying overhead as they filmed Tora! Tora! Tora!.
It's Illinois, Chanute Air Force Base, with the only sleddin' hill for a hundred miles around, and an apple tree in the backyard.
It's still Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, on my own, poor and confused and loving it.
It's Florida, Ocala, broken at first but slowly healing.

...and many other places, not homes, but places.

My hometown? The people I know and love, my family, my friends. All over this country. My hometown.

Hi Galen... really nice thoughts... Thank you.

Hey, we need to get you posting more so you can get your Av... only 44 more to go!

Have you tried the posting sluts thread... that's where everyone goes to hit their numbers with ease...

 

[Artemesia]

Oh Arden, I love marching bands. On weekends during the fall, when the wind is still, you can hear the high school marching bands during halftime.

I also love the sound of the trains passing through the edges of the city.

 

[Arden]

Oh Arden, I love marching bands. On weekends during the fall, when the wind is still, you can hear the high school marching bands during halftime.

I also love the sound of the trains passing through the edges of the city.

The marching band practice... the wonderful resounding notes of Sousa.... so invigorating!

 

[chromefreak]

I've travelled a lot, and seen some cool places, been to the UK and Mexico, and in 27 states. Northern California is the little corner of the world where I always return to and settle back down. FIrst of all is the natural beauty. 1 hour north of San Francisco, 30 Minutes east of the coast, and just a hop from the Armstrong Redwoods. The mountains are a 3 hour drive. I feel I belong here, like I've felt no place else.

Lots of interesting local history, from Alfred Hitchcock filming movies here, Victorian houses, and ripe with biker and hot-rodder lore. Sears Point Raceway is 25 minutes east.

There is rural farmland, and Santa Rosa is just big enough to be entertaining, but not a giant city. I can occasionally be found wandering home on foot from the bars at 2:00 in the morning, feeling safe and secure. We have just enough of everything here to keep me happy.

 

[Arden]

God Bless The U.S.A.
by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

 

[carrie-on]

I grew up in Columbus,Ohio...GO BUCKEYES!!
It is the home of the world famous Columbus Zoo which is soooo much fun. It was especially great when Jack Hanna was the director.
Most of my family still lives there except for 4 of my brothers and sisters and various nieces and nephews. I go back at least twice a year to see my Mom.
I met my husband in Columbus when he was going to college and that was the best thing in the world to happen to me. I remember telling my Gramma that I met the man I was going to marry...the night we met! He says he told his roommate the same thing. 2 months and 2 days later we were married and we have been married for 27 years now!
We now live in the UP of Michigan and I wouldn't live anywhere else. It is so beautiful,the air is clean and so is the water! The only thing I can think of that I don't like? The Ohio State Buckeyes aren't here...LOL Can you tell I went to OSU?
I love everything about the uSA except the government.

 

[Arden]

Hi Carrie!

<cheshire cat grins>

Thanks for contributing!

 

[carrie-on]

 

[Arden]

MY HOMETOWN
Bruce Springsteen

I was eight years old and running with a dime in my hand
Into the bus stop to pick up a paper for my old man
I'd sit on his lap in that big old Buick and steer as we drove through town
He'd tousle my hair and say son take a good look around this is your hometown
This is your hometown
This is your hometown
This is your hometown

In `65 tension was running high at my high school
There was a lot of fights between the black and white
There was nothing you could do
Two cars at a light on a Saturday night in the back seat there was a gun
Words were passed in a shotgun blast
Troubled times had come to my hometown
My hometown
My hometown
My hometown

Now Main Street's whitewashed windows and vacant stores
Seems like there ain't nobody wants to come down here no more
They're closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks
Foreman says these jobs are going boys and they ain't coming back to your hometown
Your hometown
Your hometown
Your hometown

Last night me and Kate we laid in bed
talking about getting out
Packing up our bags maybe heading south
I'm thirty-five we got a boy of our own now
Last night I sat him up behind the wheel and said son take a good look around
This is your hometown

 

[Artemesia]

Mmmmm, love Bruce!

Love that song.

 

[Arden]

I love my hometown today because Soron is here visiting for a while... it's nice to be able to share my hometown with someone so special to me...

 

[Soron]

I love my hometown today because Soron is here visiting for a while... it's nice to be able to share my hometown with someone so special to me...

Even though it's freezing cold here, it's a beautiful town. The day I got here Arden took me on a tour and showed me the beach and other points of interest, like the shop where she works.
Loving history as I do, it's been great having her share the history of her family and the house she lives in.
Thank you for having me here, beautiful.

 

[Arden]

Even though it's freezing cold here, it's a beautiful town. The day I got here Arden took me on a tour and showed me the beach and other points of interest, like the shop where she works.
Loving history as I do, it's been great having her share the history of her family and the house she lives in.
Thank you for having me here, beautiful.

And I had fun showing you your family on the 1920 and 1930 census last night, too. History, especially when it's associated with your own family, can be fascinating.
(I bet you can't tell that I'm into genealogy, lol)

 

[Arden]

I'm loving my hometown today... The sun is shining, it's about 60 degrees, gentle breeze blowing off of Lake Michigan. Everyone is hanging draped, semi-circular flags on their porches in preparation for Memorial Day. The high school band is practicing Sousa marches on the next block, I can hear the music drifting through my open windows. Our Victorian era 'main street' is brightly decorated for the Memorial Day parade...

It's a beautiful day!