Aren't these beautiful?
And these, too?
How about these?
Gotta love the bird of paradise!
These are so sweet and dainty looking. And for a little more color, this is the interior of the restaurant where we had lunch today. MMMMM good!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
A LITTLE COLOR FOR THOSE OF YOU IN A WHITE WORLD
This colorful display of poinsettias sits close to the entrance to Old Town. They look so Christmasy, and are of course growing outside. The temps are quite a bit higher than the zero to ten above temps that are expected back home this weekend. Don't worry, I'll enjoy these beautiful displays of flowers for you all!
Aren't these beautiful?
And these, too?
How about these?
Gotta love the bird of paradise!
These are so sweet and dainty looking.
Aren't these beautiful?And these, too?How about these?Gotta love the bird of paradise! These are so sweet and dainty looking. 
OLD TOWN
This morning we drove to Qualcomm Stadium where the San Diego Chargers play, only a short distance from our campground, and we parked the truck and rode the lite-rail or trolley train to Old Town. We shopped around for awhile, read about and viewed some of the historical exhibits, and ended this visit with a nice lunch.
Qualcomm Stadium decorated for Christmas. The train depot and tracks are right behind where I am standing to take this picture.
The entrance to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
This picture should be called "Grumpy Old Men" as Ernie and Dick weren't too happy with Bev and I. We were shopping....well, actually just looking.....but the guys got tired of watching us check out the pottery shop, the candy shop, the coffee shop, and, well you get the picture. We went in each store and looked, but the guys seem to think that there is no need to keep looking if you aren't going to buy. They just don't know how to shop!
This was such a nice, tall, clean looking palm tree. Some are so messy that I don't like them at all, but this one looked good.
Lots of beautiful blooming flowers......another blog.
I thought the poinsettias decorating the simple black iron rail were so pretty. It was kind of a dark corner, so it's not the best picture, but you get the idea.
Ernie doesn't remember what this was called, but it had chicken in it and was kind of a huge taco thing. He ate every single bite.
Qualcomm Stadium decorated for Christmas. The train depot and tracks are right behind where I am standing to take this picture.
The entrance to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
This picture should be called "Grumpy Old Men" as Ernie and Dick weren't too happy with Bev and I. We were shopping....well, actually just looking.....but the guys got tired of watching us check out the pottery shop, the candy shop, the coffee shop, and, well you get the picture. We went in each store and looked, but the guys seem to think that there is no need to keep looking if you aren't going to buy. They just don't know how to shop!
This was such a nice, tall, clean looking palm tree. Some are so messy that I don't like them at all, but this one looked good.
Lots of beautiful blooming flowers......another blog.
I thought the poinsettias decorating the simple black iron rail were so pretty. It was kind of a dark corner, so it's not the best picture, but you get the idea.Ernie doesn't remember what this was called, but it had chicken in it and was kind of a huge taco thing. He ate every single bite.BIRTHDAY DAY
Today is the big birthday day for our family, as my dad and two of my grandsons were born on this day. My dad, who has been living with Jesus since 1982, would have been 93 today. I can't believe it's been 25 years since we've celebrated together, but I would not have taken these past 25 years of celebrating with Jesus from him. I miss him and envy him.
Today is also Caleb's birthday. His is 15. Caleb is the spunky redhead we took to Alaska with us last (2006) summer. He, and his brother Jacob, are the sons of our daughter that came to us as a 13 year old. I was present in the delivery room when Caleb was born, and held him when he was just minutes old. He possesses great determination, much energy, and is intelligent and hard working, qualities I admire greatly. And I love his red hair! Caleb is so much fun to be around, and he has many friends. Happy birthday to a special kid. I love you dearly, Caleb.
Ben also has a birthday today, his 10th. He is also a very special kid and I cannot imagine life without him. He has a real sense of humor, is intelligent and fun loving. I fell in love with Ben the minute I first saw him and that love has only grown. I wish there was some way I could zap him out here to San Diego and take him down to the ocean to run and play, and to investigate all the neat things we'd find there. Have mom show you the videos I posted yesterday Ben, and just imagine what it would be like playing down by the waters edge. Wouldn't that be fun? I love you so much, Ben. Hope you have a happy day.
Today is also Caleb's birthday. His is 15. Caleb is the spunky redhead we took to Alaska with us last (2006) summer. He, and his brother Jacob, are the sons of our daughter that came to us as a 13 year old. I was present in the delivery room when Caleb was born, and held him when he was just minutes old. He possesses great determination, much energy, and is intelligent and hard working, qualities I admire greatly. And I love his red hair! Caleb is so much fun to be around, and he has many friends. Happy birthday to a special kid. I love you dearly, Caleb.
Ben also has a birthday today, his 10th. He is also a very special kid and I cannot imagine life without him. He has a real sense of humor, is intelligent and fun loving. I fell in love with Ben the minute I first saw him and that love has only grown. I wish there was some way I could zap him out here to San Diego and take him down to the ocean to run and play, and to investigate all the neat things we'd find there. Have mom show you the videos I posted yesterday Ben, and just imagine what it would be like playing down by the waters edge. Wouldn't that be fun? I love you so much, Ben. Hope you have a happy day.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
FOR THE GRANDKIDS
This guy was sitting on a garbage can, right in front of our truck. I was carefully trying to walk up to him, but those concrete bars were right in front of me, so I had to slowly shuffle my feet along so I wouldn't trip. He finally decided I was too close, and wasn't giving him any food, so he took off.
I LOVE THE OCEAN!
This was taken from the pier at Ocean Beach. They are experiencing larger than normal wave action because of all the intense storms in the Pacific and on our Northwest shores. During the night they had much larger waves. We are heading out right now to see what action is out there today, as the weather man said today should be the peak waves.
Monday, December 03, 2007
MOVING DAY
Today is moving day again. We are heading West to one of my favorite cities, San Diego. We hope to secure a spot in a military campground there; if we do, we'll stay awhile.
Hubby has never been to San Diego, so he has a treat coming. And, my niece and her husband and three year old son live there, and I have my sister's permission to spoil her grandkid until I can get back to my own! That will be fun.
Hubby has never been to San Diego, so he has a treat coming. And, my niece and her husband and three year old son live there, and I have my sister's permission to spoil her grandkid until I can get back to my own! That will be fun.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
JACOB'S BIRTHDAY
Yesterday was the birthday of my fourth oldest grandchild. Jacob turned 17. Hope your day was special, Jacob, just as you are. And you know you have been special to me since the second you were born and I first saw you through the tears streaming down my face.
You see, Jacob was the first grandchild given me by one of our adopted kids. Our daughter had asked me if I would accompany her to the delivery room. Her words were, "mom, you weren't in the delivery room when I was born, but would you please be there when my child is born?" Would I? Absolutely!
So Jacob has always had a special place in my heart. No, he is not flesh of my flesh, we share no DNA, but he was born into my heart, and therefore is permanently attached to me.
Jacob, you are loved dearly. You know that. You should have your card and $$ that I sent. Spend wisely. And I promise some alone time at Barnes and Nobel when I'm home for Christmas.
Happy Birthday, grandson!
You see, Jacob was the first grandchild given me by one of our adopted kids. Our daughter had asked me if I would accompany her to the delivery room. Her words were, "mom, you weren't in the delivery room when I was born, but would you please be there when my child is born?" Would I? Absolutely!
So Jacob has always had a special place in my heart. No, he is not flesh of my flesh, we share no DNA, but he was born into my heart, and therefore is permanently attached to me.
Jacob, you are loved dearly. You know that. You should have your card and $$ that I sent. Spend wisely. And I promise some alone time at Barnes and Nobel when I'm home for Christmas.
Happy Birthday, grandson!
CAFFEINE DEPRIVED SHOPPING TRIP
I'm sitting here waiting for the coffee to get done. Yesterday we were out of coffee and substituted hot chocolate. Not good. Didn't do it for me at all. I only have a couple of mugs of coffee each day, but it is strong French pressed coffee and contains the needed caffeine to function. And then, on no caffeine, we went to the grocery store.
I should have known when we first got in the door that it was going to be bad as I saw a sea of shades of white and grey heads bobbing down the aisle. Then, as we headed down the first aisle which happened to be the donuts and rolls and bread, we found three women perusing the pastries, glued to their parking spots. They weren't buying anything, just standing there looking, and they would not budge. I actually had to climb over one woman's cart to reach the wheat rolls. Same when I got to the tomatoes, only this time there was a man in the mix of permanently parked shoppers. These folks, however, were engaged in an animated conversation about parsnips and the man's hunting prizes of doves, and how parsnips and doves together were so good. I again stuck my arm in and grabbed a few tomatoes. It went this way through the whole store: meat department, cheese and yogurt department, and frozen veggie department. When I reached the front of the store, after going around the perimeter as usual, I was shaking and near tears. I could not handle one more minute of those rude, obnoxious, senior citizens who thought they were the only people in the store. I told Ernie I had to get out of there.
We picked the shortest aisle, the check out yourself aisle, and started scanning our purchases after informing the machine that we spoke English. The first item to scan was a bottle of inexpensive wine. Beep-beep-beep, it went through the scanner just fine, then informed me to put the item in the bag. I obliged, and then, FLASH, bright lights started blinking and the machine demanded my ID card! Get serious folks! I'm 63! The cashier in charge of the four self checking machines noticed the blinking lights and worked her magic and reset the machine to again ask for the next item. All went well until we came to the produce and we were informed by the machine that you must look up the PLU for the tomatoes, romaine, and cucumbers and enter the that number via the number pad. Did as commanded. As we reached the end of the groceries the almost human machine screamed in capitol letters to PUT THE LAST ITEM IN THE BAG BEFORE SCANNING THE NEXT ITEM. We already had done so, but obliged and picked up the romaine and then put it back into the bag. The machine was satisfied and it commanded to SCAN THE NEXT ITEM! Instead I pushed the finish and pay button. This must have confused the check out monster and it again screamed to SCAN THE NEXT ITEM. I punched the finish and pay button about six times which must have jerked the machine back to reality because it now politely asked if I wanted to pay with cash, debit, credit, check, EBT card, coupons, and I think a couple other choices. I punched debit, it okayed me, we hustled out of there, and the monster was ready to do battle with the person behind me. I just hope it's next victim was one of the folks who annoyed me so! Serves them right! And I'll never go shopping again on no caffeine.
(I have nothing against senior citizens, as I am one of them myself. But the combination of no caffeine and a Wednesday Social Security payday in Yuma, Arizona, the home of tens of thousands of snowbirds, was more than I could handle.)
I should have known when we first got in the door that it was going to be bad as I saw a sea of shades of white and grey heads bobbing down the aisle. Then, as we headed down the first aisle which happened to be the donuts and rolls and bread, we found three women perusing the pastries, glued to their parking spots. They weren't buying anything, just standing there looking, and they would not budge. I actually had to climb over one woman's cart to reach the wheat rolls. Same when I got to the tomatoes, only this time there was a man in the mix of permanently parked shoppers. These folks, however, were engaged in an animated conversation about parsnips and the man's hunting prizes of doves, and how parsnips and doves together were so good. I again stuck my arm in and grabbed a few tomatoes. It went this way through the whole store: meat department, cheese and yogurt department, and frozen veggie department. When I reached the front of the store, after going around the perimeter as usual, I was shaking and near tears. I could not handle one more minute of those rude, obnoxious, senior citizens who thought they were the only people in the store. I told Ernie I had to get out of there.
We picked the shortest aisle, the check out yourself aisle, and started scanning our purchases after informing the machine that we spoke English. The first item to scan was a bottle of inexpensive wine. Beep-beep-beep, it went through the scanner just fine, then informed me to put the item in the bag. I obliged, and then, FLASH, bright lights started blinking and the machine demanded my ID card! Get serious folks! I'm 63! The cashier in charge of the four self checking machines noticed the blinking lights and worked her magic and reset the machine to again ask for the next item. All went well until we came to the produce and we were informed by the machine that you must look up the PLU for the tomatoes, romaine, and cucumbers and enter the that number via the number pad. Did as commanded. As we reached the end of the groceries the almost human machine screamed in capitol letters to PUT THE LAST ITEM IN THE BAG BEFORE SCANNING THE NEXT ITEM. We already had done so, but obliged and picked up the romaine and then put it back into the bag. The machine was satisfied and it commanded to SCAN THE NEXT ITEM! Instead I pushed the finish and pay button. This must have confused the check out monster and it again screamed to SCAN THE NEXT ITEM. I punched the finish and pay button about six times which must have jerked the machine back to reality because it now politely asked if I wanted to pay with cash, debit, credit, check, EBT card, coupons, and I think a couple other choices. I punched debit, it okayed me, we hustled out of there, and the monster was ready to do battle with the person behind me. I just hope it's next victim was one of the folks who annoyed me so! Serves them right! And I'll never go shopping again on no caffeine.
(I have nothing against senior citizens, as I am one of them myself. But the combination of no caffeine and a Wednesday Social Security payday in Yuma, Arizona, the home of tens of thousands of snowbirds, was more than I could handle.)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
A DATE TO THE DATE FARM
Today we went to the date farm with our friends Dick and Bev. First of all, beautiful trees. Second, awesome date milkshakes! And we did a bit of shopping, picking up some dried papaya, pineapple, and crystallized ginger, and of course we bought dates.
This lush full tree is a type of ficus. Sure looks better than the spindly thing I had in my house.
We were sitting outside visiting with Dick, Bev, Joan and Red when I noticed the sky across the street from where we are parked on Red's lot. Then I turned the other direction and found this
row of palms silhouetted against the orange sky. And then I saw the sky to the west....WOW!
It was fire orange, looking like it was on fire. What a wonderful gift a beautiful sunset is! Thank you, God!MY PRIZES
These are the prizes I bargained for in Mexico. We did pretty well on all of them. I love the bright colors in this plate. I'm thinking that when I settle down in a house again, I will have to do my kitchen in the Mexican blue, green, red, and yellow. They are such happy colors.
My welcoming sign with the kokopelli playing and dancing for you.
Tin Christmas ornaments for a tiny tree that can travel without breaking fragile balls and bulbs.
A pretty cross.
A cheerful bowl for salsa or peanuts or whatever. I have to stop buying pottery now. We have such limited space and if I don't store it correctly it will break on me. So enough is enough.
BEIGE WORLD
The sand dunes are beige.
My daughter-in-love mentioned in a comment on my post of last night, that she liked the color in those pictures taken in the open restaurant in Mexico. I think the color is the exact reason that I've been drawn to the pottery and stained glass in Mexico. The desert in this area is practically void of any color. Everything is beige. Beige sand, beige mountains, beige lawns, beige houses, beige shopping centers, beige everything.
The little splashes of color are so welcome. And I must say that the skies are mostly blue, thank goodness.
And I must say that the temperatures are no where near the below zero mark like Minnesota is experiencing this morning!
My daughter-in-love mentioned in a comment on my post of last night, that she liked the color in those pictures taken in the open restaurant in Mexico. I think the color is the exact reason that I've been drawn to the pottery and stained glass in Mexico. The desert in this area is practically void of any color. Everything is beige. Beige sand, beige mountains, beige lawns, beige houses, beige shopping centers, beige everything.The gates and corridors of the Historic Yuma Prison are beige. The lack of color alone would have driven me mad.
The little splashes of color are so welcome. And I must say that the skies are mostly blue, thank goodness.And I must say that the temperatures are no where near the below zero mark like Minnesota is experiencing this morning!MY KOKOPELLI
Here is my kokopelli stained glass window in the door of the RV, taken from the inside through the screen, but with the outdoor light shining through. Isn't he much more colorful when taken with the outside light behind him than with the background in the dark?Monday, November 26, 2007
THE LAST THREE DAYS
We are in Yuma Arizona. We left Las Vegas on Friday morning and drove to the Yuma Proving Grounds about 40 miles north of Yuma, out in the middle of nowhere in the desert. There is an Army base there where we spent the night, and we drove on into Yuma on Saturday afternoon. We are staying with Dick's cousin and her husband, Joan and Red, the friendliest and nicest people we've met in our travels. They have a lot here in a neighborhood where each lot is fenced in with Mexican bricks forming the wall, and with iron gates across the front. Their lot has a small shed along the back, and a covered patio in the middle. Their 5th wheel RV is parked on the west side, and Dick and Bev's and our RVs are parked along the east side. All three trucks fit in too, and the gate is closed behind us. What fun we are having!
Saturday afternoon we went to the flea market, held in a huge lot, all under the cover of tents, and blocks long and wide. I've never seen anything like it! And you can buy just about anything from fruit to nuts; and also candy, RV supplies, T-shirts, jewelry, garden flags and ornaments, quilting patterns and fabric, books, Avon, purses, and on and on. The merchandise is new, and the prices are good. That was a lot of fun.
Then yesterday we went to Mexico, my first trip there ever. I had a ball bickering with the shop workers over the prices of items. Ernie and I bought a stained glass window for the door of the RV. I'd always seen people with these fancy stained glass windows in their RV, and I knew that the factory wasn't putting them in. I had no clue that they came from Mexico. I picked out a very colorful kokopelli, the little hunchback flute playing stick man, who is known, among other things, as the story teller and is used in decorating vases, shirts, lanterns, plates, bowls, cups, etc. We installed it right away when we got home and he looks good.
Today we went back to Mexico to exchange the stained glass that our friends bought. So we had to have another look round and had to bargain for a few more items. I got some brightly painted tin ornaments and a blue plate with very colorful little people painted on it. After we got back to Yuma we toured the historic Yuma prison that is now a state park. That was very interesting. Sure glad I didn't have to spend any time in there. Seems that the prisoners who were put in the "dark room" often had scorpions and rattlesnakes dropped down on them through a vent in the ceiling, by the guards.
I don't know what is on the schedule for tomorrow, but I am hoping it includes a trip to the date farm. I understand you can buy date milkshakes that are out of this world!
Friday, November 23, 2007
BLACK FRIDAY
Happy Black Friday as the day after Thanksgiving is known in the retail world. And, nope, I am not going shopping. Not going anywhere near the malls, actually.
But, we are traveling today. We are leaving our spot here in Las Vegas and heading down towards Yuma. We'll stop along the way in Lake Havasu to see the London Bridge. After spending a few days in Yuma and then we are turning west and going to San Diego.
Unless I am forced, I don't plan to return to this city. It is just not my cup of tea, not a place where I feel comfortable living. Keep your warm temperatures, daily sunshine, bare ground and rocks, your restaurants, hotels, and casinos; keep your lights, noise, and crowds of people, and give me my trees and 4 seasons and my peace and solitude. I guess I'm just a small mid-west town gal.
We had a very nice day yesterday on Thanksgiving Day. We went over to the base and had dinner in the chow hall. We spent a long time talking to one gentleman, actually a two star general. He gave us a lot of information about this area that we had never known before and we thank him for stopping by our table to visit with us. It was very interesting to hear about his career in the Air Force and some of his experiences as a pilot. And the cheesecake I had for dessert was excellent! Better than any pumpkin pie! And the dressing was very moist and stuck together just as I like it. Nummmmmmmmy.
We talked with three of our kids, and with my sister and mother. The noise and commotion at my sister's place sounded wonderful. I could hear the murmur of conversations and the happy squeals of her little grandsons in the background. Actually, the three year old was singing the alphabet song. Thank you for those noises, Betsy. It made me feel right at home. And I smile every day at the emails I receive from granddaughter Jaden. These are the little things that help me make it through the lonesome parts of the day.
The best part of our day was spending it with our friends, Dick and Bev. We are so thankful to have dear friends to celebrate with!
But, we are traveling today. We are leaving our spot here in Las Vegas and heading down towards Yuma. We'll stop along the way in Lake Havasu to see the London Bridge. After spending a few days in Yuma and then we are turning west and going to San Diego.
Unless I am forced, I don't plan to return to this city. It is just not my cup of tea, not a place where I feel comfortable living. Keep your warm temperatures, daily sunshine, bare ground and rocks, your restaurants, hotels, and casinos; keep your lights, noise, and crowds of people, and give me my trees and 4 seasons and my peace and solitude. I guess I'm just a small mid-west town gal.
We had a very nice day yesterday on Thanksgiving Day. We went over to the base and had dinner in the chow hall. We spent a long time talking to one gentleman, actually a two star general. He gave us a lot of information about this area that we had never known before and we thank him for stopping by our table to visit with us. It was very interesting to hear about his career in the Air Force and some of his experiences as a pilot. And the cheesecake I had for dessert was excellent! Better than any pumpkin pie! And the dressing was very moist and stuck together just as I like it. Nummmmmmmmy.
We talked with three of our kids, and with my sister and mother. The noise and commotion at my sister's place sounded wonderful. I could hear the murmur of conversations and the happy squeals of her little grandsons in the background. Actually, the three year old was singing the alphabet song. Thank you for those noises, Betsy. It made me feel right at home. And I smile every day at the emails I receive from granddaughter Jaden. These are the little things that help me make it through the lonesome parts of the day.
The best part of our day was spending it with our friends, Dick and Bev. We are so thankful to have dear friends to celebrate with!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
SOMETHING FUNNY ABOUT THIS
Our home town in Minnesota is currently 25 degrees, feels like 15
Grand Forks, North Dakota, where son Lenny lives, is 23, feels like 13
It was 33 degrees here in Las Vegas, Nevada when I got up this morning, but.........
The current temperature in Seldovia, Alaska, where son Chris lives, is 49!!!!!!
Grand Forks, North Dakota, where son Lenny lives, is 23, feels like 13
It was 33 degrees here in Las Vegas, Nevada when I got up this morning, but.........
The current temperature in Seldovia, Alaska, where son Chris lives, is 49!!!!!!
OH, GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD
I love Thanksgiving. We don't have the constant TV ads that surround most of the other holidays; no buy this, or you need that, or I want such and such. This holiday is different. This day is all about family and friends giving thanks for their many blessings.
In our Thanksgiving Eve church service last night, the pastor reminded us to read Psalm 100, the most beautiful psalm of thanks, before diving into the turkey and mashed potatoes or before turning on the TV for the big game. This is one of my favorite psalms, and I want to share it with you this morning.
1. Make a joyful shout to the Lord all you lands!
2. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before his presence with singing.
3. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And his truth endures to all generations.
We will be going over to the base chow hall to join the troops in a Thanksgiving meal, complete with turkey, ham, roast beef and all the trimmings, including the pumpkin pie. As we do before every meal, we will bow our heads and pray a part of this psalm........
Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. And His mercy endures forever. Amen.
In our Thanksgiving Eve church service last night, the pastor reminded us to read Psalm 100, the most beautiful psalm of thanks, before diving into the turkey and mashed potatoes or before turning on the TV for the big game. This is one of my favorite psalms, and I want to share it with you this morning.
1. Make a joyful shout to the Lord all you lands!
2. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before his presence with singing.
3. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And his truth endures to all generations.
We will be going over to the base chow hall to join the troops in a Thanksgiving meal, complete with turkey, ham, roast beef and all the trimmings, including the pumpkin pie. As we do before every meal, we will bow our heads and pray a part of this psalm........
Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. And His mercy endures forever. Amen.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
THOUGHTS ON A LAS VEGAS THANKSGIVING
There is one thing about this town that has really bothered me since the first time we drove down to The Strip, and that is the number of homeless in Las Vegas. True it is much easier to be homeless in this very mild climate than is it back in Minnesota. During the winter back home, you must be inside in order to survive the harsh cold, wind and snow. Out here, it is possible to live outdoors year around. You may be cold, but it is not a life threatening below zero cold like in Minnesota.
I was going to take pictures, but decided that the homeless, many by their own decisions involving addictions to alcohol, drugs, or gambling, but some because of their mental illness or other uncontrollable circumstances, don't deserve to be humiliated any further by having me post pictures, even of anonymous folks.
The street leading up to The Strip, is lined every night with dozens of free standing tents, sleeping bags, and people just sleeping on the sidewalk, covered by their light weight jackets and surrounded by their every worldly possession stuffed into a big black trash bag or a couple of smaller plastic bags from WalMart. Many have collections of aluminum cans or other treasures to sell or trade for food and/or drink. There are grocery store shopping carts also, filled with items that may come in useful to build a shelter or to share with equally destitute friends. Fortunately I didn't see any children among these homeless, but I am not so naive as to think that there are none. What we did see, however, were mostly middle aged or older men and women, the majority being men. I am willing to bet that a large number of those men are veterans, once proud protectors of our country, and now street dwellers, and in a city with a huge military base.
But the most disturbing part to me, is that those veterans are living on a street in horrible conditions, only a block and a half removed from the huge display of lights and sound displayed in the outrageously decorated casinos, filled with thousands of blinking, clanging slot machines, and where we saw a group of young men celebrating their right to drink themselves into unconsciousness, and throwing one hundred dollar bills like confetti on the black jack table. Ernie watched for awhile, I left, unable to comprehend this stupidity.
Granted, some of these folks are in this position because of their own doings and they probably don't even want help, but others are caught in the spirals of mental illness or disease, and they deserve help, especially those veterans who have given so much for their, and our, country.
On this Thanksgiving Day when we are counting our innumerable blessings, let's remember to give thanks for those who have kept us safe, and if there is any way that we can help the homeless veterans regain their health or dignity, we should consider doing so. Let's have a wonderful, family and food filled, warm and safe holiday. But let's also remember that some have none of those.
I was going to take pictures, but decided that the homeless, many by their own decisions involving addictions to alcohol, drugs, or gambling, but some because of their mental illness or other uncontrollable circumstances, don't deserve to be humiliated any further by having me post pictures, even of anonymous folks.
The street leading up to The Strip, is lined every night with dozens of free standing tents, sleeping bags, and people just sleeping on the sidewalk, covered by their light weight jackets and surrounded by their every worldly possession stuffed into a big black trash bag or a couple of smaller plastic bags from WalMart. Many have collections of aluminum cans or other treasures to sell or trade for food and/or drink. There are grocery store shopping carts also, filled with items that may come in useful to build a shelter or to share with equally destitute friends. Fortunately I didn't see any children among these homeless, but I am not so naive as to think that there are none. What we did see, however, were mostly middle aged or older men and women, the majority being men. I am willing to bet that a large number of those men are veterans, once proud protectors of our country, and now street dwellers, and in a city with a huge military base.
But the most disturbing part to me, is that those veterans are living on a street in horrible conditions, only a block and a half removed from the huge display of lights and sound displayed in the outrageously decorated casinos, filled with thousands of blinking, clanging slot machines, and where we saw a group of young men celebrating their right to drink themselves into unconsciousness, and throwing one hundred dollar bills like confetti on the black jack table. Ernie watched for awhile, I left, unable to comprehend this stupidity.
Granted, some of these folks are in this position because of their own doings and they probably don't even want help, but others are caught in the spirals of mental illness or disease, and they deserve help, especially those veterans who have given so much for their, and our, country.
On this Thanksgiving Day when we are counting our innumerable blessings, let's remember to give thanks for those who have kept us safe, and if there is any way that we can help the homeless veterans regain their health or dignity, we should consider doing so. Let's have a wonderful, family and food filled, warm and safe holiday. But let's also remember that some have none of those.
Monday, November 19, 2007
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
This afternoon was the annual RV campground Thanksgiving dinner. The china was styrofoam plates and bowls, and the best silver was white plastic. Beverages were Sam's club sodas or H2O. There were no linen table cloths, nor did anyone have to spend hours dusting and vacuuming before the guests arrived.
The majority of the guests dined in the shelter, but we picked a table outside in the shade.
There was plenty of turkey, ham, potatoes, dressing, gravy, relishes, salads, several kinds of bean dishes, and many cakes and pies for dessert. Many folks volunteered to help, and the dinner went well. We had entertainment, too. A system borrowed from the youth center, and then the daughter of one of the workers, who, if I heard correctly, is semi-professional. She was very good.....kind of an Allison Krause voice.
There is a garden in the middle of the park, full of different cactus (cacti?) and other heat hearty plants. Someone has placed some pumpkins in the garden, just to make it look like Thanksgiving I think.So this was our first Thanksgiving dinner. On Thursday we will go to the dining hall on base for another meal. If I can't have my kids and grandkids around, I guess we'll go eat with the troops and let them know how thankful we are that they continue to keep our country safe. Thank you military!
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