L.O.V.E.

I love America.
I love the people and the places and the things that make up America. 
I am proud to be an American, and today I celebrate everything that makes America the place that it is. 
What's coming next is a list of so many of the things I love to love about America and all that it encompasses.  Some of these things may not in, fact, be exclusively American, but, for me, they make me feel American.  So, on this America's birthday, perhaps you'll allow me to take a few liberties.
So, without further ado, here are:
104 Things I Love to Love about America  

1.  Broadway

2.  Rock & roll

3.  Boardwalks

4.  Converse sneakers

5.  Bandanas

6.  Oreos

7.  Central Park

8.  Country music

9.  The Real World

10.  Brooks Brothers

11.  Sunflowers

12.  Front porch swings

13.  Cheeseburgers

14.  New York City

15.  Gingham

16.  Cutoff jeans

17.  Freedom of the press

18.  Chocolate chip cookies

19.  The Smithsonian

20.  Memphis

21.  MTV

22.  Cowboy boots

23.  Fried chicken

24.  Corn flakes

25.  Fresh produce

26.  Water parks

27.  The Gap

28.  John Steinbeck

29.  Democracy

30.  Soldiers

31.  World War II veterans

32.  Casseroles

33.  United States Postal Service
34.  The Statue of Liberty

35.  Target

36.  Amusement parks

37.  Malls

38.  Louisa Mae Alcott

39.  Yellow taxis

40.  Hershey's

41.  The Boston Pops

42.  American Film Institute

43.  Alexandria, Virginia

44.  Atlanta

45.  Ralph Lauren

46.  Corn dogs

47.  Chicken salad

48.  Sharpies
49.  Christmas traditions

50.  Opportunity

51.  Thanksgiving dinner

52.  Road trips

53.  Nashville

54.  Gas-guzzling SUVs

55.  The Today show

56.  New Orleans

57.  Ritz crackers

58.  Saturday Night Live

59.  Rainbow flip-flops

60.  Route 66

61.  Christmas Vacation

62.  Afternoon talk-shows

63.  Freedom of speech

64.  Cornbread

65.  Meat & potatoes

66.  Jimmy Fallon

67.  Sundresses

68.  Toms shoes

69.  Miller Lite

70.  Lemonade

71.  The Star Spangled Banner

72.  Blue jeans

73.  Father of the Bride

74.  Nighly News with Brian Williams

75.  National parks

76.  Nike

77.  Dr. Pepper

78.  Macaroni & cheese

79.  Judy Garland

80.  Betty White

81.  Crayola

82.  Dallas

83.  Red, white & blue
84.  Seaside, Florida
85.  Brooklyn Bridge
86.  John Mayer
87.  Walt Disney World
88.  Jerry Seinfeld
89.  Breakfast at Tiffany's
90.  Apple pie
91.  Yearbooks
92.  Frank Sinatra
93.  Backyard BBQs
94.  Chicago
95.  Destin, Florida
96.  College football
97.  The Oscars
98.  Uncle Sam
99.  Johnny Cash
100.  Motown
101.  The Gulf Coast
102.  Washington, DC
103.  Elvis
104.  Homemade ice cream
I also found this great column in the latest issue of Reader's Digest (yes, I read Reader's Digest sometimes... yuk it up) that I loved so much I wanted to share it with y'all.  America's Best Town Names:

"I was holed up in Boring, Oregon, wondering whether I should try someplace different.  So I hopped in my car and drove to Why, Arizona, to figure things out.  After a few days I found my answer in Whynot, Mississippi:  I needed a town with some life to it.  I made a beeline for Disco, Tennessee, where I danced so much, I wore out my shoes.  The next day, I headed to Loafers Glory, North Carolina, for a new pair.  Afterward I looked sharp enough to take a break, in Handsome Eddy, New York.  Eddy wasn't around, but I knew where to find him--in Loveladies, New Jersey, where it seemed that all the women were trying to get to Husband, Pennsylvania.  It was a tough town.  One gal told me my romancing needed work and sent me to Sweet Lips, Tennessee.  Heartbroken, I put the car on cruise control and drove to Lonelyville, New York, for a stiff drink.  I made a pit stop in The Bottle, Alabama, and finally hit rock bottom in Condemned Bar, California.  Not surprisingly, I woke up the next morning in Cranky Corner, Louisiana.  I knew that if I continued like this, I'd be headed straight to Hell, Michigan.  Pulling myself together, I grabbed breakfast in Oatmeal, Texas, lunch in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and dessert in Pie Town, New Mexico.  I should've stopped eating after Greasy, Oklahoma, because I was feeling pretty sick by the time I left Lick Skillet, Tennessee.  In Brilliant, Ohio, it finally dawned on me--I had to cease my wandering ways.  I parked in Do Stop, Kentucky, took out the map, and chose my new home.  I didn't need Wealthy, Texas, or Fame, West Virginia.  I found everything I needed in Happyland, Oklahoma."--Andy Simmons, Reader's Digest Humor Editor

With all that and so much more, how could you not fall in love with America every day, over and over again??

Happy Birthday to the U.S. of A... hope you've all had a wonderful holiday!!