You know how tickled I am that England and USA both made it to the round of 16 in the World Cup! Their matches were on the same day! Yesterday, England played right here in Atlanta, Georgia and in the evening, many of the English fans attended a baseball game and cheered on the Atlanta Braves. (Many of them had t shirts that said, "England is Braves Country". I wish I could find out where they got it, I want one!) They were so funny. Remember how I told you that Boston enjoyed the Scottish fans? Well, it seems that Atlanta had the same admiration for the English! They sat behind the outfielder, Michael Harris and had great fun chanting his name. Michael Harris seemed to enjoy it too. When Michael caught a routine fly ball, they cheered loudly!
"There's only one Michael Harris!"
And Michael Harris not only plays for the Atlanta Braves, but he is also a native from Georgia! (Just like me!)
Oh, the baseball game was wonderful too. The Atlanta Braves won! And when Ozzie slid into home base, he winked at the umpire. Joy!
We stopped today at a small vegetable stand and when the lady there heard Richard's accent, she thought he might be visiting here. When I told her that Richard has lived here since the 80's but he is forbidden to lose his accent, she just laughed. Then she said that the World Cup was just what this country needed right now. Good thing for people to come here from all over the world and see what we are really like! I think I saw a quote on-line from a German fan who said that if you want to hate America, watch the news but if you want to love it, to drive through it! In other words, meet the people. For me, the World Cup has been a joyful celebration. And even for those who end up losing, they play with such heart! (Did you see the back flip that the player from Congo did yesterday when he scored his goal? Joy!)
Richard is such a great photographer, he knew this photo would be better if he cut my head off. HA! (This was from several years ago, I think Richard has a red one just like it. I probably stole this from our son!) OH! And don't worry, I just got myself a USA shirt today and I got my son one too.
So, did any of you watch the England match AND the USA match? I had to go back and forth between the USA match and the baseball game in the evening! No worries, I got to see what I wanted to see.
Tomorrow is Friday, the 3rd of July. Since July 4th is on a Saturday, the 3rd is a holiday for many. Of course, be sure and check for any business for the 3rd or 4th to see if open! It is really "Independence Day" but honestly, everyone here just says, "Happy July 4th!".
What song? My favorite rendition of "America the Beautiful" by a fellow Georgian, Ray Charles!
I did watch the England game on TV but the team that tickled me the most was Norway and the Viking rowing celebrations they did, which I'd never seen the entire team and supporters doing before.
ReplyDeleteYes! I saw that too! I fell in love with Norway during the Winter Olympics of 1994!
DeleteI’ve not been able to catch the games, but have read about them and about the unbridled joy and celebrations which have accompanied so many wonderful sporting events lately. It’s a delight to see.
ReplyDeleteIt really is. I think that is the best thing about sports. It isn't always so but very often it is a unifying celebration.
DeleteI honestly haven't had an interest in the soccer games myself - but I am glad they are here and people are experiencing America and how wonderful it is.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could go to downtown Atlanta and experience the atmosphere! It must be great fun.
DeleteI have not watched a single game in this championship, and probably won't. In contrast, my sister has taken Monday off so that she can watch England play Mexico at what will be 2:00 am in the morning German time! She misses her best friend who died in 2022 - he was the only one who'd be watching football with her, and when they could not watch together in person, they would keep a frantic live commentary by texting each other all through the match.
ReplyDeletePS: I love that quote about hating/loving America. It's like that with every country. Politicians are such a thin slice of a country's population, but what they do makes it to the news - not what the ordinary people do (and even less so what they think).
DeleteOh! I will think of your sister watching the England/Mexico match and then, think of you fast asleep! LOL! I am sorry that she lost her dear friend that she shared the games with. It reminds me of my Dad and how much he would have loved the English fans having so much fun with Michael Harris. And you know I agree with you about the politicians on the news.
DeleteYou are a bit like me cheering on England and your own country. I was born in England but now I'm Australian. I am married to a Swiss /Australian man so we barrack for England, Australia and Switzerland. Just saw Switzerland progress to the next level. Australia play tomorrow but I'm not too hopeful. They are not a very good team. Its not a popular sport here its all Rugby or Australian Rules Football.
ReplyDeleteYou know we are alike! If your husband is from another country, you have that country in your heart and mind also!
DeleteIt is great to see you enjoying the World Cup so much, and it must be exciting to have them play in Atlanta. Australia is playing in Dallas tonight, and all over Australia pubs and clubs are opening all night for patrons to enjoy it all together. Good to have your team shirt too!
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DeleteLooks like Australia is behind just now but anything can happen! Whatever happens, you know the Aussies will have fun at the pubs!
DeleteWe stuck with the USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina game because of the 'local' ties. (St. Louis is home to the largest Bosnian population outside of Europe.), although during half time Hubby switched over to the Cardinals game.
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting, I really had no idea that St. Louis had such a large population from Bosnia. That is why I like to blog, I love to learn things like this. Thank you!
DeleteHappy 4th of July weekend! God Bless America!
ReplyDeleteGod bless YOU, MA! And God bless our country and all who live here. Peace always.
DeleteHappy 4th of July.
ReplyDeleteHello Mary! Happy 3rd and 4th of July to you too! :-)
DeleteHappy Birthday USA.
ReplyDelete250, I bet you remember the 200th, right? Have a great holiday.
DeleteIt really is the best kind of chaos when the whole world shows up to celebrate together, so hopefully you and your son get a chance to wear those new USA shirts for the next big round. Are you planning any big barbecues or just keeping your eyes glued to the TV for the rest of the holiday weekend?
ReplyDeleteIt might sound as if my eyes are glued to the set watching sports but I promise that isn't the case! We will visit with friends today but tomorrow we will certainly watch all of tne England match. Many of the other matches, I just watch bits of them. I guess folks watch every second of the World Cup, but with baseball and Wimbledon going on too, it's a lot to take in. Come together, world! Take care.
DeleteHappy 4th of July to you! Your monarch butterfly photo is stunning!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July to you! I should have identified the butterfly. It is often confused with a Monarch but it is a Viceroy butterfly. It is smaller and has those black lines on the lower wings. ❤️
DeleteThis is wonderful and I have been very impressed with the good sportsmanship of both players and fans. I found one place for you that sells those shirts. You can go here:
ReplyDeletehttps://viralstyle.com/power-house/england-is-braves-country-shirt
I hope this works out.
Happy July 4/250th Celebration weekend :)
Denise! You are a doll! Thank you so much! xxx
DeleteHi, Kay. How nice to see so much in Atlanta! Yes, meet the people, and love the USA.
ReplyDeleteWe, the people! Wish I could see the great state of Hawaii! Aloha!
DeleteIt’s wonderful to see how the World Cup has become a celebration of people as much as the sport.
ReplyDeleteThe way fans connect, whether in Atlanta or across the world, feels like a reminder of how much joy and unity sports can spark.
As long as politicians don't get involved, I believe unity in sports is truly possible. The England/Mexico match was awesome. A great match and it showed the English fans chanting "Mexico" as they exited, high fiving the Mexicans.Loved it.
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