by Anna Sugden
*Actually, I'm a day early.
Still, as this is my day to blog and I am English *g*, I'm making it a special celebration for tomorrow's official St George's Day.
I'm sure you all know that St George is the patron saint of England and have heard one of the many versions of the tale about him and the dragon.
Some of you will be surprised to know that the flag which represents England is not the Union Jack, but the flag of St George. The Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom - each of the countries within, have their own flag.
In recent years, the flag of St George has grown in popularity and you'll often see it associated with sporting events or occasions of national pride.
Also, did you know that while we sing God Save the Queen as our National Anthem, that too is for the United Kingdom. When we want to sing the anthem for England, we sing the rousing hymn Jerusalem.
As for England's national dish, many would say it is either fish & chips or roast beef and Yorkshire pudding ... I'm happy with either choice *g*, though I'd be happy with a Devonshire cream tea too!
And, of course, our national flower is the rose, the national animal is the lion (because we have so many of those roaming our fields!) and I think the national bird is the robin.
So, in honour of St George's Day, here is a Quick Five about where you live:
1. Does your state (for state, you can have province, region or country if that suits better) have a flag and what does it look like?
2. Does your state have a hymn or song?
3. What is your state's flower?
4. What is your state's signature dish?
5. Does your state have a bird and/or animal to represent it?
What's more, I'll throw in some Cadbury's for one lucky commenter!
*Actually, I'm a day early.
Still, as this is my day to blog and I am English *g*, I'm making it a special celebration for tomorrow's official St George's Day.I'm sure you all know that St George is the patron saint of England and have heard one of the many versions of the tale about him and the dragon.
Some of you will be surprised to know that the flag which represents England is not the Union Jack, but the flag of St George. The Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom - each of the countries within, have their own flag.In recent years, the flag of St George has grown in popularity and you'll often see it associated with sporting events or occasions of national pride.
Also, did you know that while we sing God Save the Queen as our National Anthem, that too is for the United Kingdom. When we want to sing the anthem for England, we sing the rousing hymn Jerusalem.
As for England's national dish, many would say it is either fish & chips or roast beef and Yorkshire pudding ... I'm happy with either choice *g*, though I'd be happy with a Devonshire cream tea too!
And, of course, our national flower is the rose, the national animal is the lion (because we have so many of those roaming our fields!) and I think the national bird is the robin.
So, in honour of St George's Day, here is a Quick Five about where you live:1. Does your state (for state, you can have province, region or country if that suits better) have a flag and what does it look like?
2. Does your state have a hymn or song?
3. What is your state's flower?
4. What is your state's signature dish?
5. Does your state have a bird and/or animal to represent it?
What's more, I'll throw in some Cadbury's for one lucky commenter!
70 comments:
Is he coming to my place
Have Fun
Helen
Anna
I had to google some of these LOL
1.Flag
The New South Wales State flag has been in use since 1876. It includes the Union Jack and the NSW badge. The badge consists of the Cross of St George in red on a white disc with an eight-pointed gold star on each arm and a golden lion in the centre.
2. Song or Hymn
We don't appear to
3.Flower
The Waratah is the floral emblem of New South Wales. It is a stout, erect shrub which may grow to four metres. The flowers are grouped in rounded heads 7-10 cm in diameter surrounded by crimson bracts. It flowers from September to November.
4. Dish
Not that I am aware of although a meat pie sounds good to me
4.Animal
Animal Emblem: Platypus
The platypus is the animal emblem of New South Wales. It lives in rivers and streams and is well adapted to life in the water with its close fur, webbed feet and duck-like bill. It feeds on freshwater yabbies, worms, insects and their larvae and snails, nosing in the gravel with its sensitive bill.
Bird
Bird Emblem: Kookaburra
The kookaburra is the bird emblem of New South Wales. This great brown kingfisher is sometimes called a 'laughing jackass' because of its distinctive territorial laughing call. Meat eaters, they hunt snakes, lizards, fish and insects. They live at forest edges, in clearings and open woodland country and have adapted well to life in our towns and suburbs
We do have a bird and and animal.
Very good Anna had me thinking though
The GR will have plenty of chocolate here today :)
Have Fun
Helen
Congrats on the GR, Helen.
Hello Anna,
1. NY has a flag that features a shield and Justice and Liberty on either side. Beneath the shield is the state motto, Excelsior.
2. "I Love New York"
3. Rose
4. Does the apple count? Not sure what the state dish is, but it's famous for its pizza and hot dogs.
5. State bird is the Eastern Bluebird. State mammal is the beaver and the state insect is the ladybug.
Okay...
Ohio:
State flag-The large blue triangle represents Ohio's hills and valleys, and the stripes represent roads and waterways. The 13 stars grouped about the circle represent the original states of the union; the 4 stars added to the peak of the triangle symbolize that Ohio was the 17th state admitted to the union. The white circle with its red center not only represents the "O" in Ohio, but also suggests Ohio's famous nickname, "The Buckeye State."
State flower-carnation
State song-Beautiful Ohio
State dish...(does my homemade Buckeyes count?)
State bird-Cardinal
Texas-
State Flag- the lone star on a blue field with a bar or red and one of white to the right of the blue field, (Because we were the only state that was once a seperate country.)
State flower-Bluebonnets
State song-Texas, Our Texas, (But I like The Yellow Rose of Texas better!)
State dish- Barbeque
State bird- Mocking bird
Okay I'll play for ALBERTA, Canada
1. Flag:
The flag shows the Shield of the Arms of Alberta on a blue background.(adopted June 1, 1968) The shield of Alberta is: Topped by a red St. George’s Cross on a white background, the Shield of the Arms of Alberta features azure (blue) in back of a range of snow-capped mountains with green hills, prairie and a wheat field in front. (adopted May 30, 1907 by Royal Warrant)
Please note ~ St George's Cross on our flag.
2. Alberta ~ The official song pays musical tribute to the province’s geography, industry, history and cultural diversity. Alberta was composed by Mary Kieftenbeld as part of a contest to find an original official song in time for the province’s Centennial in 2005.
Please note ~ I'm not sure if I have ever heard this song.
3. Flower ~ Wild Rose ~ adopted in 1930
4. Dish ~ None? ~ Although we do love Alberta beef.
5.Animal ~ We have three
Mammal ~ Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep
Fish ~ Bull Trout
Bird ~ Great Horned Owl.
Website where I confirmed all this is : http://culture.alberta.ca/about/emblems/default.aspx
Aloha! How apropo you ask about my state flag for St. George's Day.
The Hawaiian state flag includes the Union Jack in its upper left corner in recognition of the importance Britain played in Hawaii's history (which would ultimately become a US state long after the US broke away from Britain). The Union Jack, of course, has the flag of St. George.
The Union Jack is prominent in many flags throughout the Pacific Nations. So St. George lives on in the South Seas!
And the other answers:
2. Does your state have a hymn or song? Hawai'i Pono'i was composed by King David Kalakaua (who had a close relationship with Queen Victoria).
3. What is your state's flower?
Hibiscus.
4. What is your state's signature dish? Poi (traditiona) and Spam (post WWII). Seriously.
5. Does your state have a bird and/or animal to represent it?
Nene (goose) which was almost became extinct but British ornithologists sought to save it ... St. George to save the day again!
From the lovely state of Massachusetts...
1. Flag, white background with a blue shield of a Native American with a bow and arrow, arrow pointed down for peace, white star in the emblem represents Mass as one of the original 13 colonies. "By the Sword We Seek Peace, but Peace Only Under Liberty" is written in the ribbon.
2. Song, All Hail to Massachusetts - I will admit, never heard it before.
3. Flower...the Mayflower, of course.
4. No official state meal, but we have the cranberry as fruit, and dessert of Boston Creme Pie and cookie of Chocolate Chip (first made here in Massachusetts!), the state bean is the navy bean (known for being used in Boston Baked Beans), and the state muffin is the corn muffin - all to be washed down with the state's beverage of cranberry juice...singularly I guess they are alright...together...probably not a very balanced meal...
5. Bird, Black Capped Chickadee
Horse - Morgan
Bug - Ladybug
Fish - Cod
Dog - Boston Terrier
Cat - Tabby
Snake - Garter
And Game bird...the turkey
Anna, love your Quick 5s and this is a good one. :)
1. The Iowa state flag has wide vertical blue strip on the left and a red strip on the right with a field of white in the middle. An eagle is in the white holding a ribbon with the state motto on it. ("Our liberties we prize and our rights we maintain.")
2. The state song is "Iowa", but no one really knows it. The unofficial song is "Iowa, That's Where The Tall Corn Grows".
3. The Iowa state flower is the wild rose. Wild roses covered the prairies when Army explorers were sent to scout out the land. There were also so many wild strawberries on the prairie that the hooves of their horses turned red from the juices. Another tidbit of info--the prairie grass was so high, the soldiers could braid and knot it over the backs of their horses.
4. Iowa is known for sweet corn, beef, and pork.
5. The Iowa state bird is the eastern goldfinch.
P.S. I teach Iowa History and love it!
P.P.S. Our state tree is the oak and our state rock is the geode.
Fun post, Anna!
The Maryland flag is the only state flag that features British heraldic banners. It displays the arms of George Calvert, the first Lord Baltimore. The alternating yellow and black are from Lord Calvert's family shield. The red and white design is from Calvert's maternal family, the Crosslands. There are historians that believe those colors could represent his wife's family, the Mynnes.
State song: Maryland, My Maryland (and yes, they still teach it in elementary school)
State Flower: The Black-Eyed Susan
Dish: Blue Crabs, of course!
State Bird: The Baltimore Oriole.
Congrats, Helen!
How cool that you Googled the info and shared it with us.
The NSW sounds interesting and is a great mix of historical emblems.
I love the platypus - hope to see a real one on our trip to Oz later this year! I also hope to see kookaburras - one of my cats was called Kooka (short for kookaburra - long story but he was named after a cricket bat!)
Hi Jane! Hope you're enjoying the playoffs - the games have been exciting (if not quite the result you'd have wanted).
Isn't it cool that the state flower is a rose too?! I knew my heart was in two places *g*.
Is a bluebird the same as a blue jay?
Thanks, Suz for giving us info on both states of your heart! I wonder how many states and provinces we'll have represented today.
I'm sure Buckeyes do count as a state dish *g*.
There's also a cute little song about Ohio in the film Third Finger, Left Hand - which has the line round on the ends and high in the middle, that's O-hi-o.
I thought the cardinal was the state bird of Virginia - how funny!
Thanks for playing, Kaelee! I love hearing about Alberta and hope to visit in the not-too-distant future to see some hockey (maybe the next time my Devils are out your way!)
How cool to see the St George's flag in your shield and in the one for NSW.
LOL about the song - I'm sure that's true of a lot of these official things!
Aloha Kim! I didn't know that about the Hawaiian flag - very cool to see the historical element has been retained!
OMG on spam being the national dish - that made my day! Not that I like it, but it made me smile!
I'm glad we save the Nene goose for you.
Dtchycat - indeed Mass is a lovely state! Had some great times up there.
You certainly have some yummy food to lay claim to (we'll just forget about the whole tea party thing *g*). Even if they're not perhaps best suited to being eaten all together, they're all great.
Very interesting that there are so many official birds and animals associated with Mass.
I'm such a dunce - I didn't realise there really was a flower called the mayflower! I'm learning so much today!
1. Does your state (for state, you can have province, region or country if that suits better) have a flag and what does it look like? The Missouri flag is red/white/blue with the Missouri state seal in the middle, with the motto: United We Stand, Divided We Fall
2. Does your state have a hymn or song? The Missouri Waltz
3. What is your state's flower? The White Hawthorn flower (I had to google that one)
4. What is your state's signature dish? The ice cream cone was invented in Missouri, at the World’s Exposition Fair 1903, so I’m going to say: the ice cream cone is our signature dish. But we’re good at making pies too.
5. Does your state have a bird and/or animal to represent it? Bluebird, but the state animal is the Missouri mule.
Thanks, Deb - glad you're enjoying my bit of St George's fun!
What fab information about Iowa! I love hearing about the army explorers and the red-hooved horses! I bet your kids love your history classes - I can tell you're an enthusiastic teacher.
I do miss American sweet corn and American beef - can't wait for my trip to NY to indulge!
Hey Christie - so excited about your next book coming out soon!
Maryland has one of the few state flags I'd recognise, having grown up in the DC area. I didn't know the history of it though.
Oh yes to those yummy crabs and to that cute little oriole!
I didn't know you were in Missouri, Hellion. It's one of the states I've been too - had a fun time in Kansas City one year, during an RT conference.
Interesting about the ice cream cone being invented in Missouri - can I just say thank you to you all?!
I'm fascinated by all these different bluebirds that are state birds. How cool about the Missouri mule *g*
I'm so glad I saw this post! I'm all about St. George's Day, which is also William Shakespeare's (purported) birthday. It happens to be my birthday, too, although I try to ignore those nowadays.
I did an article about Ohio's "unofficial" state soil awhile back. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources linked it to their site!
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/12/soils/pdf/StateSoil.pdf
I mention that article because I did some research on other "state" things for it. Fun!
Hope you are all doing fine - sorry I'm not visiting as regularly as I'd like. I'm trying to finish a story, and it's taking forever!
Happy Easter, and have a great weekend.
I'll try that link again - it was incomplete:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/
Portals/12/soils/pdf/StateSoil.pdf
You know - I used to know this stuff backwards and forwards when I was a cub scout/girl scout leader. Now - Not so much (grin).
State Flag - Ohio has a unique flag shape, one of those spilt tongue things, but the pattern itself is a rendition of stars and strips.
State Flower - a scarlet carnation. I wonder if OSU's team colors of scarlet and gray influenced that choice. The university was around before the flower was chosen. Ohio's state tree is the Buckeye tree. The OSU football team took its name from that tree.
There is a state song, but I don't know it. I do know all the words and music to "Across the Field". The song played when OSU's football team takes the field (Do we sense a theme here?")
State Animal - don't have one of those - but we do have hunky aggressive OSU football players - do they count?
State food - Buckeyes! The candy that is - otherwise I suppose the official state food is anything that can be found at a state fair. Coat it in dough, deep fry it, cover it in powdered sugar and jab a stick in it and it qualifies.
1. Does your state have a flag and what does it look like?
Georgia's current flag consists of three broad red and white stripes with the state seal(three pillars supporting an arch and a man with sword drawn)encircled by 13 stars on a blue field in the upper left corner. The stars denote Georgia's status as one of the 13 original colonies.
2. Does your state have a hymn or song? "Georgia on My Mind"--the Ray Charles version since he was born in Georgia.
3. What is your state's flower? The Cherokee rose.
4. What is your state's signature dish? Officially it's grits, but peanuts, peaches, and Vidalia onions all have their supporters.
5. Does your state have a bird and/or animal to represent it?
The brown thrasher is the state bird, the right whale (?) the state mammal, the bumblebee the state insect, and the largemouth bass the state fish.
Congrats Helen on the Chook!
Love the Quick 5 Anna. Your post was also very informative I learned a lot. Now to the answers:
1. Flag- Arkansas' Flag is red with a blue diamond, white in the center. It was selected in 1912 and has 25 stars within the diamond that represent our position as the 25th state. Also 3 additional stars symbolize that our state was owned by three countries (Spain, France, and the U.S.).
2. Song or Hymm- not sure but the Razorback Fight Song is pretty important to this bunch.
3. Flower- Apple Blossom.
4. Dish- Fried Pickles and sweet tea. Although the official state beverage is milk.
5. Animal- White-Tailed Deer. I haven't seen too many of those.
Helen, congrats on the bird! I know you'll keep him very busy.
Anna, we do have a flag but it's boring. The state flower is the dogwood, bird is the cardinal, and song is--I think--The Old North State, which I couldn't sing if a million dollars rode on my doing so.
State motto: Esse Quam Videri, meaning To be rather Than to Seem.
I don't know that we have a particular food unless it's Moravian ginger cookies, but the state dog is the Plott hound.
I have a St. George flag hanging next to my computer. My Restoration naval officer would've sailed under that banner.
Fun post, Anna. Had to laugh about all those English lions roaming around. :)
When I think of the state things, I remember the ones from Kentucky because that's where I grew up and where I learned those things in school. I can still remember the state bird being the cardinal and the state flower being goldenrod. I like the flag because it says "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." I like that sentiment.
Now, for Tennessee where I live now, the bird is the mockingbird, the flower is the iris, and the tree is the tulip poplar. The song is "The Tennessee Waltz" or "Rocky Top", the latter of which you'll really get tired of hearing if you ever watch a UT football game. We're the Volunteer State. State food is the tomato.
Did someone say Cadbury? *drool* :D
Heh, St. George's Cross has been my keychain for the past few years.
1. My province's flag is red with the Union Flag in the canton and the Ontario coat of arms(on the crest is the cross of St. George and below it is 3 golden maple leaves on a green background) in the fly.
2. It used to be "A Place to Stand" but was changed to "There's No Place Like This" a few years ago. I recall singing "A Place to Stand" in grade school and the new song just makes me think of the tourism commercial. :P
3. White Trillium
4. I'm not sure we have one but we've got a tree(Eastern White Pine) and a tartan(red and white w/ 3 shades of green and 2 shades of blue).
5. The Great Northern Loon
Oops, if it's not obvious, my answers pertained to Ontario, Canada
Great questions. I knew the flower for Pennsylvania but I looked up the rest lol.
1. Two draft horses reared up with the state seal in between and an eagle on top and the saying is "virtue, liberty and independence.
2. Pennsylvania (ha - very original)
3. Mountain Laurel (we have lots of mountains)
4. Milk (go figure)
5. Ruffled Grouse
Good on you, Helen! Get him to help you with those lovely grandchildren!
Happy (almost) St. George's Day, Anna!
Our state flag is a red X on a field of white.
State flower - the camellia
To be precise - Camellia japonica L.
I have several on my property and they are lovely. Bright pink blooms.
State wildflower - Oak leaf hydrangea
State amphibian (yes, we have one!) Red Hills Salamander (an endangered species and quite the handsome fellow)
State reptile - Alabama red-bellied turtle (Can live over 50 years. One crossed the road in front of me yesterday and held up traffic both ways while he crossed to the pond at the top of the road. An old man as he was HUGE!)
State mammal - Black bear
State bird - Yellowhammer
State game bird - Wild turkey
(anyone who visits the day of the Alabama / Auburn game can attest to that! :) )
State nut - Pecan
State fruit - Blackberry
State fruit tree - Peach
State fish - Large-mouth Bass
State saltwater fish - Fighting tarpon
State fossil - Basilosaurus cetoides (ancient whale)
Horse - Racking horse
Insect - Monarch butterfly
Song - Alabama
Folk dance - Square dance
State Motto - Audemus jura nostra defendere
We Dare Defend Our Rights
Oddly enough the state flower was originally the goldenrod until someone in power realized almost everyone in the state was allergic to the goldenrod!!
1. Does your country have a flag and what does it look like?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Finland
2. Does your country have a hymn or song? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maamme
3. What is your country's flower?
http://national-flowers.info/2009/04/28/finland-national-flower/
4. What is your region's signature dish? Karelian pastries. http://www.finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?contentid=160065&nodeid=41801&culture=en-US
http://www.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=41801&contentlan=2&culture=en-US
5. Does your country have a bird and/or animal to represent it?
Brown Bear (national animal)
Whooper Swan (national bird)
European perch (national fish)
Happy St. George's Day, Ms. Anna! And thanks for the fun facts. Who knew all that? Well, you did, of course. *g*
I'm from California, born and raised, so I should know all the answers, right? I shouldn't have to google the answers, right? Hmm.
Okay, well, "California Here I Come" is our song, of course. Very festive.
Our flag is white background with a bear walking on all fours. And I think it says "California Republic" on it, which sounds vaguely seditious, doesn't it? ;-)
Our state flower is the California poppy, which is bright orange and grows wild along the highways everywhere.
State food? Uhh ... something with arugula? Ha! Okay, maybe there's no official state food. Or maybe it's sushi.
And the bird? Is it the California condor? It should be.
Helen, congrats on snagging the Golden Bird. Hey, he must be the state bird of someplace!
WOW, I am learning SOOO much today! Thanx for a fun Quick 5 VA and Happy St. George's Day!
I'm LOVING all the info on the different flags! I think we need to hang them all from the ceiling in the entry of the Lair.
California's state flag is basically white with one red star and a bear (I think it's a grizzly) in the middle. I remember trying to draw the state flag in 4th grade and having a devil of a time with that bear!
I think our state song is California Here I Come (Jo, Tawny and Kate will have to verify this). It's a rousing tune but the only lines I really remember are the end where you all but shout, "Open up your golden gate, coz California here I come!"
Our state flower is the California Golden Poppy. They grow wild all over the sides of the road and it used to be a misdemeanor to pick them. :-P
Our state bird is the California quail. The male has that funny little top knot that looks like a question mark on his head. When we were in New Zealand, I was shocked to see California quail running wild in the forest. Turns out they were imported for hunters and have adapted very well.
Like Alabama we have a state fossil (nope not Nancy Reagan) -- the Trilobite, that funny horseshoe-shaped shell.
Our state motto is Eureka, which means "I found it" in reference to the Gold Rush, I'm sure.
I don't know about food or a dish, but judging from the number of places that serve it, it should probably be sushi!
AC
LOL Kate!
I see we woke up about the same time today!
And we AGREE on sushi! ;-)
AC
Hope you have a wonderful birthday, Becke. No wonder you have such an affinity for things English!
We miss you! Hope the writing is going well and that we'll get to catch up with you in NY.
What a fun article! Thanks for sharing, Becke!
So did you win - is it the official soil?
LOL Donna - I'm all for having hunky footballers as the state animal. NJ was certainly blessed with hunky hockey players ;)
We really loved our visit to Georgia, Janga. Look forward to going back when RWA has its conference in Atlanta again.
Ah - now I understand why your hockey team is called the Thrashers. And what their logo is!
Yum on the grits and the peaches - though probably not together.
Hey Slush - greetings to you in Arkansas - home of one of my dear friends, YA author, Julie Linker.
Fried pickles? What kind of pickles? Are they battered? I'm intrigued!
Ah Nancy - I knew you'd have a St George flag nearby!
Interesting that NC is another state with the cardinal as the state bird.
LOL about the state song - perhaps there should be a prize for the person who's actually heard the state song and can sing it!!
How funny - that's four states with the cardinal as its state bird, Trish!
Ah - so now I know that it's the Kentucky flag with that great motto on it. Love that motto.
Cool about the iris.
I'm LOL about the state vegetable for Tenn being a tomato - whenever I'm talking to my friend, Janice Lynn, she's always canning tomatoes!
Great province - Ontario - Pissenlit! Have been on some fun trips to see hockey there.
How interesting that you have a tartan - were there a lot of immigrants from Scotland?
LOL about the Great Northern Loon.
Lovely state Pennsylvania (even if we don't like their sports teams *g*), catslady.
I knew the mountain laurel - but didn't know about milk.
The ruffled grouse?! I like it! I"m learning so much today!
Wow, Louisa - thanks for all that info about Alabama. Also has lots of really nice people there *g*.
LOL about the goldenrod!
I'm fascinated to know who determined all these different pieces of state officialdom and what happened to those who came second.
I do know the Finnish flag - thanks to watching some great Finnish hockey players, Minna.
I'm sure there must be a place in officaldom for the Moomins too.
LOL Kate - you're in good company today - lots of Googling going on and we're all learning a lot too. You never know when you're going to need this info - perhaps your next Bibliophile book features a book of state facts!
LOL about the state vegetable being arugula.
LOL about the state fossil, AC. We have several of those I'm sure - many of them in the House of Lords!
I love poppies - so cheerful!
Wooohooo Helen! You got the bird today!
Great post Anna! I didn't know that was the flag of St. George. I'm like a lot of folks I suppose, in that I thought God Save The Queen was the anthem, too.
We do have a state flag---the state flag of Kentucky is a dark blue field with the Kentucky state seal on it. Actually we're a commonwealth, so it says, "Commonwealth of Kentucky" and there is some technical difference between a commonwealth and a state, though I can't remember what that is, exactly.
Our song, of course, is My Old Kentucky Home, and I cry when it's played before the Derby every year.
Our flower is the Goldenrod, and it grows everywhere here in the fall.
I'm not sure we have an official dish, though we do have Bourbon, and our official drink is probably that or the Mint Julep, made with just the right kind of Bourbon, just the right mint, etc etc...people can get very snooty about that at times.
I knew that our state tree was the Kentucky Coffee tree, and also that the cardinal was our official state bird.
But didn't know about the animals--and -apparently we have a bunch of them. You'd think it would be the Thoroughbred horse, wouldn't you? But that's just our official state horse. The official "animal" is the gray squirrel. Which makes sense I suppose since we have so many.
Our state fish is the Kentucky Bass, and..get this....our state insect is...drum roll please...the Viceroy Butterfly.
I never heard of a "state insect" before, but apparently they exist!
Who knew?!?!?!
Helen said:
The GR will have plenty of chocolate here today :)
Helen they may have to change your state bird to the Golden Rooster, as much as he's down there. *grin*
Louisa said:
State Motto - Audemus jura nostra defendere
We Dare Defend Our Rights
I love that--and I love that it's engraved on a big stone at that rest stop on I-65 when you first cross into Alabama--the one with the bit rocket. I always stop there, and I always go by and look at the motto on the stone. You can sort of feel the pride in people. It's a I'm from Ala-dam-BAMA and don't your forget it.
The state song of California (state law as of 1988) is "I Love You, California" which doesn't have the fun of "California Here I Come".
I thought the state food is Rice-a-roni although that just many be San Francisco.
Hahah! Nancy beat me to it on NC -
She said: Anna, we do have a flag but it's boring. The state flower is the dogwood, bird is the cardinal, and song is--I think--The Old North State, which I couldn't sing if a million dollars rode on my doing so.
State motto: Esse Quam Videri, meaning To be rather Than to Seem.
And m'dears I CAN sing the Old North State - Here's to the land of the long leaf pine, here's to the land where the sun doth shine, where the weak grow strong, and the strong grow great, here's to down home, the Old North State.
Grins.
Anna, a LOT of states have the cardinal as their bird. Very prolific that red bird.
Nancy, I think NC's unofficial state food is NC BBQ, which is made differently than TX BBQ, or pretty much any other Southern BBQ. :>
Plott Hounds are, by the way, very cool dogs. :>
Trish said: "Rocky Top", the latter of which you'll really get tired of hearing if you ever watch a UT football game. We're the Volunteer State. State food is the tomato
Trish, since my college was near the TN line, and we did a lot of clogging (a country dance), I can also sing a rousing rendition of Rocky Top. I know almost all of the verses too. Grins.
"Once two fellers climbed 'ol Rocky Top, lookin' fer a moonshine still...fellers ain't come down from Rocky Top, reckon they never will...."
Anna said: LOL about the state song - perhaps there should be a prize for the person who's actually heard the state song and can sing it!!
Hahaha! I WIN!!! Grins.
LOL, Aunty! Great minds and all that, right? *g*
Huh, I was sure the Condor was the state bird. Seems the least we could do after driving it nearly extinct.
More North Carolina stuff, because I can....grins.
Animal: grey squirrel (they have lots of these too, like KY!)
Fish: Red Drum (which is yummy)
Insect: European honeybee
Gem: Emerald
Reptile: Box Turtle
Rock: Granite (There actually a huge seam of granite in NC, and like NH, The Granite State, NC does a brisk business in counter-top grade granite! And tombstones, of course. Bwahahahah!)
Veg: Sweet potato
Fruit: Scuppernong Grape - very sweet dark purple grape which is used to make dessert wines and really sweet (too sweet for me) jelly)
Wildflower: Carolina Lily
Just as a funny side note, Delaware's state bird is the Blue Hen. The University of DE's mascot is...you guessed it...The Blue Hen.
SO intimidating on the playing field, you know?
SNORK!
Just for fun, I looked up the birds. Yes, I'm playing. Grins.
Seven states have the Cardinal as the state bird
Six have either the Western Meadowlark or a Mocking bird
Four have either a Western or Eastern Bluebird
Three feature either the turkey or robin-red-breast.
The most unusual is probably Utah, who's state bird is the California Gull (really? a GULL? There isn't some cool bird in Utah better than a common gull?)
Or Rhode Island, which features it's own breed of chicken, Rhode Island Reds.
Oh and Alaska has a Willow Ptarmigan which is totally cool looking. Y'know, I can spell that but cannot say it. Grins.
Anna,
Yes these pickles are sliced, battered and deep fried. Delicious with ranch dip. Another option is fried jalapeno chips, deep fried slice jalapenos.
Yum Yum Yum!
Now you have me craving.
California's state mineral is gold.
California's state rock is serpentine which they are thinking of changing since it contains asbestos.
Okay Duchesse,
I can tell you why the Utah state bird is the California gull. It's because of the "miracle of the gulls" that happened in the early days of Salt Lake City. A swarm of grasshoppers settled in and threatened to ruin all the crops when out of nowhere, a flock of sea gulls swooped in and had a very tasty treat. At least that's the way I heard the story when I was a kid.
BOO HISS! On changing the state song. Sheree, have you ever heard I Love You California? I never have, and I even live in the state capital!
AC
AC said: A swarm of grasshoppers settled in and threatened to ruin all the crops when out of nowhere, a flock of sea gulls swooped in and had a very tasty treat. At least that's the way I heard the story when I was a kid.
Well there you go! I'd be grateful too! Hahahah!
Great topic, Anna S.!
My answers will be the same as Kate's and Aunty Cindy's and Tawny's, I'm sure.
1. Flag -- CA is the bear state so the flag has a grizzy on it. It's interesting because it was first flown during the Bear Flag Revolt and is called the Bear Flag.
2. Uh, don't know that one!
3. The state flower is the poppy.
4. I don't know if there's a state signature dish, but Mexican cuisine is very popular here.
5. The state symbol is the Grizzly and the motto is "Eureka!"
I know I should know these. Let's see how I do for Ohio:
Cardinal
Carnation
White tailed deer
Ohio flag looks more like a pennant and is the only state flag not shaped like a triangle.
Not sure about the "dish" but meat and potatoes are big and corn!
More info about "I Love You, California":
California's official state song is "I Love You, California", written by F.B. Silverwood, a Los Angeles merchant. The words were subsequently put to music by Alfred Frankenstein, a former conductor for the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. It was the official song of expositions held in San Francisco and San Diego in 1915, and was played aboard the first ship to go through the Panama Canal. In 1951, the State Legislature passed a resolution designating it as California's state song. During the years following, several attempts were made to make other songs such as "California, Here I Come" the official state song. Finally, in 1988, "I Love You, California" became the official state song by law.
All California state whatevers:
http://www.library.ca.gov/history/symbols.html#Heading8
1. Does your state (for state, you can have province, region or country if that suits better) have a flag and what does it look like?
The West Virginia flag is very pretty. White background with blue edge, in the center is a seal showing a miner and a farmer with two rifles crossed underneath them. The motto Montani Semper Liberi under that on a ribbon. (Mountaineers are always free)is a loose translation.
2. Does your state have a hymn or song? West Virginia Hills
1. Oh, the West Virginia hills! How majestic and how grand,
With their summits bathed in glory, Like our Prince Immanuel's Land!
Is it any wonder then, That my heart with rapture thrills,
As I stand once more with loved ones On those West Virginia hills?
CHORUS:
Oh, the hills, beautiful hills, How I love those West Virginia hills!
If o'er sea o'er land I roam, Still I'll think of happy home,
And my friends among the West Virginia hills.
2. Oh, the West Virginia hills! Where my childhood hours were passed,
Where I often wandered lonely, And the future tried to cast;
Many are our visions bright, Which the future ne'er fulfills;
But how sunny were my daydreams On those West Virginia hills!
CHORUS
3. Oh, the West Virginia hills! How unchang'd they seem to stand,
With their summits pointed skyward To the Great Almighty's Land!
Many changes I can see, Which my heart with sadness fills;
But no changes can be noticed In those West Virginia hills.
CHORUS
4. Oh, the West Virginia hills! I must bid you now adieu.
In my home beyond the mountains I shall ever dream of you;
In the evening time of life, If my Father only wills,
I shall still behold the vision Of those West Virginia hills.
CHORUS
3. What is your state's flower?
The Rhododendron, state tree is the Sugar Maple
4. What is your state's signature dish? That is a toughie, some will tell you it is Ramps, some will say it is pepperoni rolls and yet others will tell you it is a chili dog with slaw. Basically West Virginia holds to Southern Cooking. Gravy and bisquits (squirrel gravy holds a fond memory for me). If it moves and be properly cleaned we will eat it.
5. Does your state have a bird and/or animal to represent it?
Cardinal, Black Bear, Brook Trout
Sorry I had to bow out - the time difference kicked in and we were away early to Manchester for a football game on Saturday.
Thanks to everyone for taking part! It was such fun to learn about the different states/provinces and countries!
Going to look up a recipe for those fried pickles!
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