Smart ways to keep families and fur babies safe on July 4th

American Independence Day, celebrated each year on July 4^th, is a national highlight. Barbecues, parades, fireworks, and other traditions light up the eyes of children and grownups. But this happy holiday also carries significantly increased risks of accidents, injuries, and other dangers for people and pets.

What can folks do to increase 4^th of July safety for everyone, keeping Independence Day celebrations free from tragedy?

Check out these helpful July 4^th safety tips from a big bunch of web writers.

12 tips for safe horses during 4th of July fireworks – Linda Ann Nickerson. What can horse owners to do prevent panic and keep their horses safe during 4th of July fireworks and festivities? Here are 12 tips for keeping horses calm and secure on the 4th of July, as firecrackers explode and fireworks light up the sky.

Having a safe July 4^th – Richard Webster. State fire marshals remind everyone across America about the dangers of fire as a result of improperly extinguished smoking materials and fireworks, especially during Independence Day celebrations.

Stable dogs and summer safety: Helping hot dogs at the barn - Equestrian Examiner. How can equestrians and others keep dogs safe and prevent them from overheating on sweltering days?

Pet safety: July 4th is no holiday for pets – Lita Peterson. According to pet experts, more companion animals go missing during the 4th of July than any other time of the year. The booms, bangs and lights associated with fireworks may be fun and exciting for us, but it can be stressful and even traumatic for dogs or cats. What can we do to keep pets safe?

Fireworks etiquette: 10 courtesy tips for holiday pyrotechnics enthusiasts - Chicago Etiquette Examiner. Here are 10 fireworks etiquette tips, which may help make public pyrotechnics displays more festive and fun for everyone.
 

4th of July: 15 safety tips for DIY fireworks displays - Madison Holidays Examiner.  Fireworks are fun, especially for the Fourth of July. These exciting incendiary displays are perennial crowd-pleasers, as long as folks follow a few basic safety guidelines.

Happy July 4^th! Be safe out there!

* Looking for tees and great Fourth of July gifts? 

Find primo patriotic designs at Bold American - on CafePress. *

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Fly the flag on 9-11-11

Fly the flag on 9-11-11

Sunday, September 11, 2011, will mark the 10^th anniversary of the tragic terrorist attack, in which crashing planes destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and marred the U.S. Pentagon. 

Many were killed, and all were impacted by these events.

Emails and social networking posts are whirling, urging Americans to display Old Glory proudly on this date.

Americans: Even if you don’t raise the flag daily, please show your patriotic colors on September 11^th to show devotion and honor to our country, to remember those we lost on this sad date a decade ago and as a tribute to the many heroes who responded on that date.

Hoist the colors!

Hang a flag on your porch. Stick the Stars and Stripes on your vehicle. Wear a flag-imprinted tie or tee on September 11^th.

Feel free to Tweet, “like,” and forward this http link to alert other Americans to this display of national pride and honor.

May we never forget.

Image/s:

American Flags - Public Domain Artwork

“Raising the Flag at Ground Zero” photo by Thomas E. Franklin – fair use photo

Related Items:

• 9/11: 3 Reflections on a National Tragedy
• Burning in Our Hearts
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Michelle Obama's Independence Day dress: Love it or hate it?

Michelle Obama's Independence Day dress:  Love it or hate it?

Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), stepped out in a red-and-blue printed sundress for the White House barbecue on the Fourth of July. The 2011 gala, honoring members of the U.S. Armed Forces and the White House staff, was held on the South Lawn.

The occasion also marked daughter Malia’s 13^th birthday.

Barack Obama, the President of the United States (POTUS) and FLOTUS’ husband, wore a navy polo, neatly pressed khaki trousers and shiny brown laced wingtips.

Where did Michelle Obama find her 4^th of July dress?

The First Lady’s frock was selected from Sophie Theallet’s Spring 2011 collection. Saks Fifth Avenue prices the same dress at $995, plus tax and shipping (if applicable).

The bright all-over floral batik print echoed 1960’s Marimekko designs and featured a fitted bodice, pleated waist and wide black grosgrain ribbon shoulder straps. The festive fully lined cotton dress has side-seam pockets and zips up the back.

Sophie Theallet’s apparel lines may be found at such upscale stores as Nordstrom, Saks, Serenella and Tootsies.

Tying her hair in a sensible upsweep for a hot summer day in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Obama also wore strappy, crystal-embellished Lanvin flat sandals (which retail for $955), a bunch of bangle bracelets and large hooped earrings.

Do you love the FLOTUS’ 4^th of July outfit, or do you hate it?

What did you wear for Independence Day celebrations this year?

Image/s:

Michelle and Barack Obama

Fourth of July 2011

Screenshot – widely circulated White House photo

Fashion promo photo

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4th of July Weekend and Fast Foods

4th of July Weekend and Fast Foods

The holiday weekend is here! Across America, families are packing their cars for road trips and jaunts to patriotic picnics.

The smartest folks filled up their tanks early in the week. How many noticed how petrol prices dropped a week or so, only to rise by Wednesday afternoon before the holiday weekend?

I filled up at $3.57 and thought that was a great deal. (How did we get to that point?)

What are you doing for the 4^th of July Weekend?

Speaking of gas, did you ever wonder which U.S. states consume the most fast food? Health.com has actually published a list of the top 10 states for fast food eaters. Here’s the roster of dubious honorees, posted alphabetically:

• Alabama
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• Utah
• West Virginia

Is your state on the list for top fast food consumption? Does this list surprise you?

Intriguingly, Health.com has also published a list of the Top Fat States, based on obesity statistics. Here they are (in descending order):

1. Mississippi
2. Alabama
3. West Virginia
4. Tennessee
5. South Carolina
6. Oklahoma
7. Kentucky
8. Louisiana
9. Michigan
10. Arkansas and Ohio (tied)

Maybe fast food customers in Maryland, Ohio, Texas and Utah are ordering salads at the drive-through. Keep reading to see how well Utah residents burn off their fast food consumption!

Gee, perhaps folks in Arkansas, Michigan, South Carolina and Tennessee may need to get moving … or stop stopping for fast food so often. (Just sayin’.)

Which states boast the slimmest folks?

The lowest rates of obesity, also according to Health.com, are found in these U.S. states:

1. Colorado
2. Massachusetts
3. Connecticut
4. Rhode Island
5. Hawaii
6. Vermont
7. Washington, DC
8. Utah
9. Montana
10. New Jersey

Does this data change your 4^th of July travel menu?

Who’s ready to save calories and cash by packing a healthy picnic basket for the 4^th of July Weekend family road trip? Do we really need to pick burgers, chicken nuggets or fries on the way to a barbecue ... where we will likely be served similar fare? (Even Freedom Fries?) 


Obviously, it's a personal choice, but the results may be reflected in next year's state statistics.


Pass the apples, cut-up celery and carrots and Rye Krisps. Toss those water bottles in the cooler, would you?

Let’s roll for a fabulous, safe and healthy 4^th of July Weekend!

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Public Domain Clip-Art

Misc. Sources

Related Items:

• 10 Easy Tips for Faking Your Body Out and Losing Weight
• 7 Ways to Stop Snack Cravings
• Top 5 Worst Spots for Snacking

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Great day for the 4th of July

Great day for the 4th of July

Happy 
birthday, 
America!

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Surveying on Weighing: How do you feel about your own weight?

Surveying on Weighing: How do you feel about your own weight?

Do you weigh yourself daily, weekly or almost never? How often do you step on the scales? Is a weigh-in stressful for you?

Yahoo! Shine recently published the results of a survey, in which they asked women how frequently they check their body weights. 

Here’s what they found:

• 35% - weigh in daily
• 21% - weigh in weekly
• 3% - weigh in monthly
• 22% - weigh in randomly
• 13% - weigh in during doctor visits
• 6% - weigh in never

Where do you fit in the weigh-in scale?

Do you think weigh-in frequency impacts diet habits, weight gain or loss or fitness goals? How do you feel, if you discover your have gained a few pounds … or lost a few?

Nutritionists may offer charts of ideal body weights, basing their calculations on such factors as age, body type, daily activity levels, overall health and more.

Just for fun, I tried a blog survey to see what my own ideal weight supposedly ought to be; Here’s what it said:

 .

You Should Weigh 130

If you weigh less than this, you either have a fast metabolism or are about to gain weight. If you weigh more than this, you may be losing a few pounds soon!

How Much Do You Weigh?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone  

 .

Is that what I weigh? Not exactly. Actually, I weigh in a lot lower than 130. But, nope, I’m not spilling my stats on here.

Actually, I’d love to lose a few pounds, particularly as it’s summer shorts and swimsuit season.

Still, the blog quiz says I have some wiggle room. Would such statistics lie?

Shoot me those Fourth of July chips and salsa, would you? Hand over the strawberry-blueberry cupcakes. Please pass the popsicles. It’s practically a patriotic duty for Americans on Independence Day.


Salute! And salud. (And let's not weigh in till July 5th.)

Image/s:

Public Domain Clip-Art

Misc. Sources

Related Items:

10 Easy Tips for Faking Your Body Out and Losing Weight

7 Ways to Stop Snack Cravings

Just Dessert - a Poetic Force on Our Favorite Course

Medical Research Ties Diet Soda to Increased Stroke, Heart Attack Risks

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Happy 4th of July in 2010!

Happy 4th of July in 2010!

How will you celebrate the 4th of July this summer?

Will you attend a 4th of July barbecue, host a 4th of July party, march in a 4th of July parade or view 4th of July fireworks?

Enjoy the 4th of July - and be safe!

(Public domain image courtesy of Webweaver Clip Art.)

Related Items of Interest:

Equestrians highlight 4th of July parades in Wisconsin in 2010

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What Fourth of July recipes can you prepare and share at your Independence Day barbecue, picnic or potluck? Here are a few of our favorite Fourth of July recipes, certain to get guests gallantly streaming to the picnic table for seconds.

 

July 4: Holidays and Celebrations Today

July 4th is a holiday for many purposes. Avid celebrants participate eagerly in marking July 4th as a most special day for so many different reasons. Here are several of the most popular July 4th holidays (arranged alphabetically).

 

July 4: Today's Notable Birthdays

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