Nevada Tea Party

This sign posted in Arizona warns people to stay away from this particular area and BLM encourages visitors to use public lands north of interstate 8 . . . wouldn't you think this sign would be enough to squash any planned 'suing' by the Feds. We should be thankful for the warning signs but where are the defenders of American soil? Why aren't our leaders stomping their feet and screaming to the roof tops stopping 'active drug and human smuggling'? Well, some of our citizens are up shouting about what is going on in our country and they are now being slandered by the same Feds as rabble rouse rs and discriminators of the Black people . . . strange there are many black people in the ranks of the 'tea party folks' who believe in America and what it stands for. The pictures are from a Nevada tea party where Harry Reid is up for reelection. It looks like he isn't going to get any backing from these folks and if I were still living in Nevada I would be first in line to vote him out of his office. He was always soft spoken but never a follower as Nevada meant something to him and now power has changed him and not for the better. It is sad to see. I don't know about you, but I am afraid this is all going to get way out of hand as we hear more about the 'Black Panthers' bullying voters at the polls, or our own Federal government brings suits against states that want to stand up and protect their own borders from the onslaught of 'drugs and smuggling' . . . how strange and frightening our own back yard is becoming . . . history is knocking on our door.

So today, say a prayer, remember we 'hold these truths to be self evident' as our founding fathers said when they put the Constitution together . . . believe in the power of your vote, pay attention to what is actually happening and make up your own mind as to what you want to live with. Drugs and smuggling of weapons into our country is not a productive way to go, one makes you weak and the other takes your life . . . six more of our men died in Afghanistan yesterday but the headlines were all about Mel Gibson and his love life, maybe we should send him over there or up to the 'hill'. Life is sometimes a bowl of sour cherries; well, change it, go out and find a bowl of sweet ones. Hugs to all.

Backyard

The Wallflower (purple) and the red bells had grown thick and wide overshadowing everything in its path so I got out my trusty clippers and thinned them out yesterday. Such a beautiful summer day, perfect in that the fog burned off early and sunshine prevailed and the wind decided to take a break so it was a day to be outside. My biggest problem is I like neat and I don't think neat goes with a garden. The flowers like to blossom and spread their beauty and being confined is not in their realm. There is so much I do not know about gardening although I am finding out that the more I clip the bigger the bush so maybe there is a method to my madness after all. As I walk outside and look at other gardens I notice a lot more weeds are growing tall and I might add beautiful as the weeds are in bloom and some of them are not bad at all. I'm thinking if I can't lick them, then I might as well join them so when you next visit you may see a 'natural' yard thick and overgrown with natures own. Talk is cheap . . . I have already bought some of that killer weed and have to enlist the aid of someone with strong hands to put the nozzle on the container so I can spread it around. So much for admiring weeds in all their glory.

I had some e-mails this morning I wish I could put on the blog as the works of Salvatore Dali flashed across the screen in gorgeous display. Most of the pictures I had never seen before and was truly amazed as to where his imagination took him. Unbelievable scenes bringing alive his concept of nature at its best.

So today, take a trip to an art gallery and explore the talent of the wonderful artists who take a tiny paint brush in hand and lead you to a beautiful colorful world of peace and harmony. Do something for you that will make you smile. Hugs to all.

Czech Republic Salute to our Veterans

On May 6, 2010, the sixty-fifth anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen. These and a few more pictures and a story came through in an e-mail yesterday. It is a good thing we have the computer, and people who share, as there was nothing in our newspapers telling us about the people of this small town who celebrate the American soldiers with parades and words of thanks for their freedom. There is a lady in their town who was only fourteen when all this was turmoil and frightening events took place. She took it upon herself to honor the spot where Lt. Kirkham, of the U.S. Air Force, was shot down in the forest. The first to die. Her name is Zelenky Sladkove, now seventy-five and still taking care of the grave site of a fallen hero. She was given a medal for her work and her tribute by the mayor of the town.

What a tremendous boost of morale it is for the few remaining veterans of World War II to know that they are not forgotten and never will be. The children of this town are taught in their schools about the Americans who fought and gave up their lives so that they might live free and prosper. A bit of news to make us proud for a change in a world that has gone off tilt since this event occurred.

So today, the start of another new week . . . yes, your weekend has gone and you had fun while it lasted. I know, it never lasts long enough when it is time to rise and shine and get back to the world of work . . . how lucky you are to have a job, so many do not. Look around, you may be able to help with a few cans of food for the local food bank. I hear there are a lot more in line these days. Don't forget to light a candle and add a few extra for those having a bad time of it right now. Share a word or deed today and make your day as special as you are. Hugs to all.

A New Generation

Breanna was only three when I became her baby sitter . . . and baby look at her now . . . all the way to college and a busy life. Breanna brings a lot of wonderful memories to mind and I am so proud of the young lady she had become.

This is Meagan

and her sister Kira. I was very close friends with their grandparents, Vickie and Chuck, who have gone on to their reward. It is sad they didn't get a chance to see the girls grow into such lovely ladies. Both are smart, talented and make their mom, Christine, a very happy lady.

This is Meagen. Isn't she a beauty!! Meagen is cousin Walter Sullivan's daughter and from what I hear she is smart and bright as a new penny. I haven't met her yet, but if I ever get to Rhode Island I will.

Alice, Pauline's new great granddaughter. I wish I could put on the little clip showing her sitting at a piano while her grandmother Karen tries to teach her how to play. She was much more interested in the shiny lights but I am betting she will be a pianist before she is seven.

Caleb, strong and good looking, ready to take on the tennis court; his grandparents have him in tow for the weekend and you know they are avid tennis players. Caleb doesn't stand a chance of sitting on the sidelines. He will be a pro before we know it.

So today I thought it would be fun to show off a few of my little family of friends. I enjoy the e-mails and letters I get from the parents and grandparents who are willing to share the news and pictures of the children. I have to laugh out loud as I got nineteen pictures of Caleb swimming in a beautiful pool, playing tennis, talk about bragging rights. I can't say I blame them, he's a winner and well worth bragging about. Now speaking of grandchildren . . . I'll save my bragging for another day as I am expecting my beautiful granddaughter to come for a visit so I'll take pictures and join in the bragging rights.

So today, Sunday already, hopefully you are up and out and enjoying this beautiful summer morning. If you have pictures you want to brag about, send them along. There is always room for one more child in my life. What fun it would be to have them sitting around my table eating blueberry pancakes and telling tales about what they are doing on their summer vacations. Seeing I can't have that, the next best thing is news of them, so hurry up, take some new pictures and brag on . . . I love it and you too. Hugs to all.

Keeping up with the news.

God Bless America . . . God bless our World.

The cartoonists are in good stead as they keep us up on what is going on in our world. They don't seem to miss a headline and bring out the best and the worst of the events happening around us. The sad part is that the events are not funny, but it is a good way to get every ones attention so that we all know what is going on. A lot of folks do not want to hear the news good or bad as they are just too busy to read what is in the newspapers . . . we are finding out there is a lot not even talked about or written about and it is a good thing we have computers whereby current events are talked about. I'm thankful for the hand full of reporters on television who are not afraid to give a conflicting opinion so we can know what is on going. I may or may not agree with the words spoken, but at least I am hearing the words which signal the signs of the times, and I cannot blame anyone but myself if I am not aware of what is going on around me.

I find that cartoons are the tip of the iceberg and we have to open our eyes and our ears and find out more behind the captions. I am thankful for the talented men and women who draw the cartoons and send out their interpretation of the events of the day.

So tomorrow, Sunday, tune in to Bob Cheever and listen to a quiet man bring you up to date with current events and the men and women who play a part in them. Meanwhile enjoy today and make it a lazy summer day and do a lot of nothing special . . . r&r . . . I'm watering as the bird bath doesn't have a drop in it as my dozen little budgie birds sit on the fence and wait patiently for food and drink, and a swim in their pool. Right now the deer are eating on the Rose of Sharon bush. I'd love to take its picture but as soon as I stand it would disappear. Go . . . make your day a good one. Hugs to all.

Caught In A Hug

Here are a few 'feel good' pictures that came in an attachment yesterday about new born animals. You can feel the need for a hug after making way into a brand new world. My resident deer came by my front yard yesterday with a new little one and I tried to get a picture out of the bedroom window but all I got was a bubble of light as the camera picked up a glare from the window glass.

This little guy is almost hidden. I bet he feels safe and secure. He couldn't get any closer if he tried.

A new born colt found its way to mother's lap. He knows where security lies.

A visiting fishermen caught a huge red octopus. You don't see this picture often, and it is a good thing it is unable to give a hug or two, just think of the tentacles easing around your waist line. The fisherman was hoping for a catch but certainly didn't expect this odd creature to fall for his 'line'. The weather has been perfect for fishing and the ocean has been cooperating by its flat surface making fishing a pleasure and the catch many. I keep hoping for a nice piece of ling cod to come my way but so far this year no one is sharing . . . um, maybe the poor economy is closer to home than we think.

So today, plan a fishing trip if you can. I don't know what you catch in your neck of the ocean but hopefully something big and beautiful that will give your taste buds a treat. I cannot believe it is Friday already, another weekend coming up, seems I just wrote those words yesterday. Time . . . time is of the essence make it work in your favor and enjoy every minute of it. I'm off for fish tacos today as we join our friends, Peat and Darlene at Ponchos for lunch. Darlene is having another birthday, thank goodness, but it seems like we just celebrated her special day a very short while ago . . . where did the time go? Beats me . . . it just flies when you do a lot of living, so keep up the good work and make your today better than yesterday. Hugs to all.

News from Alaska

As you can see from the pictures John took on his second trip to Denali National Park, there is a lot to see. This time he did get on one of the tour buses and said his knees were pinched because of the lack of space but that did not deter him as he took out and used his trusty camera. He tells me he is ready to go back and see more as there are many more animals free to roam. I imagine the bear families are something to see close up. I loved the eagle nest which reminded me of one of the jet boat rides up the Rogue river in Gold Beach where we spotted an eagle or two, plus we caught one catching a fish out of the river. It is exciting to view wild life in their own habitat and enjoy a different kind of beauty that surrounds us when we take the time to look. I would like to have had a picture of him and Jo. who was with him on this trip. I talked with her on the IM yesterday and she told me she is enjoying her first adventure to Alaska. She is not missing her home in Delaware where the heat wave is staying on for days and days. It had been already heating up before she left but with this new heat wave all along the east coast she is glad to be viewing the wild beasts of Alaska. She tells me she walks out on the paths nearby the apartment and makes lots of noise in case any of these beasts are lurking in the bushes. They are great travelers so I am hoping to see more pictures and hear tales of the wilds as they find time to get out and see more of Alaska. Of course work gets in the way, but hopefully weekends will be warm and sunny and they can get out and about around Anchorage itself.

So today, enjoy the pictures from Alaska and try to plan a trip up to see this beautiful state. The inland passage on the big boat is a fun trip and there is much to see, but it only makes a couple of stops in a town like Sitka where you can only get into by the sea, or a plane. There is much to see and enjoy up there so put it on your calendar for some vacation time even if it is number ten on your list of places to see and enjoy. Imagine going on the longer boat trip and seeing Denali and many other cities up there, or going on the ferries hopping from one place to the next before driving the long back roads into a larger city. Wow . . . I could get excited about seeing all of Alaska but my octogenarian status slows me down physically but there is nothing that slows me down mentally...yet...so I am enjoying the first hand family views and hope you are enjoying them too. Make today a great one, count your blessings, we do have one or two hovering around us. Today is going to be a good day. I can feel it in my bones. Hugs to all.