God bless digital photography

More curious critters

Before the animals; one piece of information for those of you with RVs. Our fifth wheel was caked with bugs after our trip from Iowa to Arkansas. It looked as if I would have to spend hours and elbow grease to clean it. I'm here to tout the effectiveness of SCRUBBING BUBBLES bathroom cleanser. With the use of a soft sponge and a scrub sponge on a stick for the nose, the SCRUBBING BUBBLES nearly melted the bugs away. I was very impressed!

Aren't they adorable???

These are not the sharpest hummer pics but I wanted to post them to show the difference in bird size.

Has anyone ever seen a bug that looks like this? It is a flying bug, It has eight legs, two antenna  and a ridge on it's back like a fish or dinasaur. 
Whatever this is, I believe I caught a photo of it giving birth. Notice the opening in the tail and the two little white things on the PVC behind it. 
It had been a long time since I saw one of these silly things. I'm sure there are many types of walking sticks and this is an interesting one. He seems to have two very long feelers sticking out of his head.
There are a bevy of barn spiders around here. I'm actually please by this, however, because lots of other spider species means fewer brown recluse.

Another reason to educate myself .......

The photo on the left is a spider that appeared on the wall after bubba removed a loose piece of wood trim and exposed a dark gap behind it. The photo on the right is of a brown recluse spider. As I read about the brown recluse I'm a bit relieved but now vigilent. I will keep my eyes open when handling anything that has been setting for some time and or is near a dark gap or crevice. I will tap out my shoes before puting them on, especially when I haven't worn them for a while. If one of these bites you, and that seldom happens unless it gets caught between you and clothing or bedding, at the least you will suffer a prolonged open wound and at the worst you could die. 

YUCK!

More critters

I haven't gotten the best pictures of birds yet ......... the placement of the bird feeder isn't terribly conducive for photography but works real well for entertainment while I'm on the computer. The bird photos you see here were not taken by me. I snapped the butterfly and the frogs. 

The first birds I saw were some of the cutest: a pair of tufted titmouse. I've had black capped chickadee and a third type of bird I'm still attempting to identify. If anyone can help me with a small bird, colored similarly to the titmouse, carries its flat head straight out from the front of it's body and climbs on trees and shepard's hooks upside down. It moves very quickly and doesn't sit still for long; hard to photograph.  :-( 

The emerald hummingbird wasn't the only critter enjoying the sugar water. The monarch thought it was pretty tasty too.  

The frogs are the prettiest I've seen here. Bright green as opposed to the little black squeekers we saw this spring. 

More later ........

PRAY OFTEN

LIVE WELL

LAUGH OFTEN

LOVE MUCH

One more quick thing

I keep forgetting to photograph this hat and post it. This one took me a long time as hats go. Most of my hats find their detail in the shape rather than the stitch. Almost every other hat I've made, and there have been dozens, was not of a pattern because I had not yet learned that patience. This hat gets it's detail from the stitch rather than the shape. Its the first time I've crocheted cables and it was actually fun! I did learn from this pattern that I need to work up a 'guage' as all patterns suggest. I seem to crochet so tightly that I require a hook two sizes larger than suggested. I'm getting more confident with every pattern I follow and may, some day, attempt a sweater or some other adult garment. 

Stay tuned!

Where do I start?

This was the view out the front door enroute to Arkansas. We've made a habit of stopping off at the Terribles Casino and RV Park in Osceola, Iowa both for the easy pull through stay and for the affordable buffet. The best part of the buffet is it's position on the perimeter of the building. You wouldn't know you were at a casino if someone dropped you there and asked where you were. As with most places this summer, the casino's RV Park has suffered from so much rain. So many units have dropped their wheels off the concrete while parking that there are terribly deep trenches which need filled in. Some of them have been there long enough that they are populated with frogs.

As you can see we picked up a few bugs enroute too. Scrubbing the trailer, at least the nose, is absolutely on my short term to-do list. You can see a bit of our glorious view in this shot; more photos later of that. You can also see the potted tomato plant which made the trip safely from Iowa ........................ in the toilet.    ;-P

Believe it or not, this was the first critter to welcome us to Arkansas. This is not my photo as I was a bit too FREAKED OUT to get my camera! This photo was taken in Arkansas, however and looks very much like the male tarantula we encountered on the driveway of the park. That night I researched tarantulas in Arkansas and was able to calm my fears. By the information I found, the spider we saw was a male out 'looking for love' as this is their mating season. Fortunately, from the perspective of this aracnophobe,  that male will not have a chance to propagate as Bubba ended his life with a shovel shortly after Mijo discovered him.

This little beauty appears to be the master of the pond. He is 5 times larger than all other frogs I spotted and had no fear as I wandered around and scared the rest of the little squeekers into the pond. 

We are so spoiled and so blessed to have the Garcia family as our family and home away from home. When we arrived Sunday evening around 6 Rene was at the grill flipping burgers and toasting buns. He helped us get backed in and hooked up and took us home with him for supper. The meal was delicious, the company fantastic and Cecila even spoiled Bubba by baking him a sugar free apple for desert while treating the rest of us with pumpkin/chocolate chip cookies. DELICIOUS!!!! 

Since we've been back here we've been able to get reconnected with the whole family. I've had ample opportunity to talk to Tiffany and hold her week old son Tristen. I've gone to lunch and shopping with Theresa, Cecilia and Trina, Cecilia's sister from Florida here for the week. I've even been able to tease Theresa, who just had back surgery a week ago, about her back brace fitting like a bustier! I haven't had a chance to talk to Nick yet because he's been working long hours but am sure I will before long. 

Living with them here reminds me how much I miss my own family and my church family, and it helps me to appreciate them more. 

Bubba spent the first three days out working with Rene, as expected. I think they're both delighted to be the Dynamic Duo once again. We plan to be here through the third week in October and I believe they're planning to build a storage barn for Theresa's golf cart while we're here. 

Its time to get busy at another of the projects I've started this week. I'm two lessons into Rosetta Stone, learning to speak Spanish. I'm hoping I can work at it often enough to practice with Rene. I know that if I don't use it I will lose it, so I will encourage Bubba to get started with it too and practice with me. I also picked up a flute for the first time since the fourth grade. That one will be a little harder. The lesson plans I've found aren't quite as easy for me to comprehend as the language lessons, but I will keep working at it. I currently have four unfinished crochet projects; I hate it when that happens. I seem to start them and lose interest lately, and they're not even that big a project. Oh well, none of them is a planned gift yet, just inventory for eventual sale.                      I continue to babble on ............

More later .......

PRAY OFTEN

LIVE WELL

LAUGH OFTEN

LOVE MUCH

 

Mr. Las Vegas

To everyone else in the world Wayne Newton might be Mr. Las Vegas. To me Richard Brooks is Mr. Las Vegas. Richard is my brother in law and the only reason I would make a trip encompassing 3500 miles in 6 days and a stay in a city I detest. 

The last time Bubba had seen his brother was 1985 and it was a very brief reunion. Prior to that his last recollection was 1968 when he was preparing for his tours of duty in Viet Nam. There was no doubt, however, when they saw one another again the recognition was immediate. Richard looks very much like their father and Bubba looks very much like their mother. 

Our visit was brief but enriching. I'm very glad to have another family member and I intend to maintain contact as best I can. I pray Richard and Bubba will continue to call one another as often as they have been these past few months. Despite the obvious differences in personality and lifestyle I believe the unconditional love and God's desire for families to love and help one another will build a relationship between them. 

Our trip, as many things in our lives, was dotted with amazing food experiences. We didn't get this plump by eating salads!   ;-)     Places that stand out in my memory starts with the Hog Wild Barbeque in Wichita, Kansas. Really great food at a really low price. Their pulled pork sandwich and spicey sauce rocked our world. We would eat there again any time. The Windmill Restaurant on I40 at the Oklahoma / Texas state line was an excellent experience as well. Their specialty, as we saw it, was home made turn over pies. This was Bubba's first apple pie of the trip and, as he claims, the very best. We enjoyed the Owl Cafe in Albuquerque, New Mexico so much we ate supper one night and breakfast the next day there as well. Their 1950's style is authentic as they've been open since and so popular you might have to wait for a booth on a week night. The buffet and Roxy's Restaurant at the Stratosphere tower were typical Vegas fair and nothing to write home about. I enjoyed the live music wandering through Roxy's but could take or leave the food. Mulligan's Sports Bar & Grill in North Las Vegas was really great, however. The food was the frosting on the cake of dining in a gambling venue with no "casino noise". In Green River, Utah we ate at the Tamarisk Restaurant. Excellent food!! I love it when you can order liver & onions in a nice restaurant and the wait staff is willing to joke with exhausted travelers. I really enjoyed that experience.  In North Platte, Nebraska we found Merrick's Ranch House by getting lost. It was a blessing, as we're getting used to, as they offered chicken livers as a dinner item!! YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I convey just how much I enjoyed that? YUMMY!!!!!

Of course, none of these places hold a candle to Dad's kitchen. Even while working to keep themselves on the Weight Watchers plan, Dad whipped up a meal beyond compare the night before we headed South. 

Well, enough pontificating for now. Later I'll get some photos of Arkansas back on the blog and tell you more about this wonderful place and these very special people. 

More later ...........

PRAY OFTEN

LIVE WELL

LAUGH OFTEN

LOVE MUCH

forgotten link

http://soldiersangels.org/

Not ready for the big blog ............ but soon

Please check this out. Its a number of groups who do amazing things for our Soldiers. 

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

I look forward to being home for a couple days and taking the time to really expound on this amazing trip we've been on.

For now, simply know that we're experiencing some awesome things and we're on our way home.

We decided to head out from Vegas yesterday and spent the night in Green River, Utah. Not sure how far we'll get today but the goal is to cross Colorado and ultimately the Nebraska state line.

One item from yesterday before I go. If you're looking for the wonders of God's natural world and an entire state full of scenery you'll never forget, travel I15 & I70 accross Utah in mid September. I was catching flies all day yesterday and stopped just once to take a few pictures at a scenic location. The variety and color of it all was astounding. 

More later .........

PRAY OFTEN 

LIVE WELL

LAUGH OFTEN

LOVE MUCH 

Love family; HATE Vegas

Have I ever told you all how I feel about Las Vegas? Likely I have so you may feel free to tune out now and back in later.   ;-)

I'm a Christain, albeit a very theologically uneducated one, so I think of Sodom and Gomorra when in Las Vegas. Driving into town on a Saturday early evening was an experience in itself as we were exhausted from three days on the road. We found the motel easily enough with the assistance of Peaches, our GPS unit, and the fact that we're staying at the Stratosphere Tower which literally towers over every other structure on the strip. We found a parking space on the 7th floor of the parking garage and fought our bags down the elevator, from one end of the casino floor to the other for check in, and back up to the 7th floor to our room. In this happy jaunt we were approached, or accosted, no less than three times by vendors attempting to suck us in to what they were offering. The gentleman at the check in desk and one of the vendors on the casino floor pointed us to the "nearest" elevator to our room which turned out to be the furthest elevator to our room. After we finally dropped our bags and located the "nearest" elevator to our room we headed back to the casino floor to find a bite to eat before sleep. I was so disappointed to find that the buffet here was twice as expensive as the buffet at the Terribles casino in Iowa where we stopped enroute, but we weren't willing to keep walking and take another option at the end of the day.

When I walk through a casino I feel depressed and out of sorts. While living in Southern California I worked in a casino for six months. I worked in the check cashing center and was front row to the desperate damage gambling can inflict on people's lives. I've seen businessmen throw every credit card they have on the counter searching for that last $50 cash to throw away in a slot machine. I've talked to the school teaching single mom who decided that moving another 25 miles from the casino would be the only thing that would keep her out of it and maintain a portion of her retirement account. I've seen people throw a temper tantrum because the ATM machines and the check cashing center refuse to give them cash from their government assistance (food stamp) cards. I've seen people return to the check cashing center regularly on a 36 to 48 hour gambling vigil with no sleep.   

I see that when I come here. I see the billboards for topless shows about female vampires and the families dragging small children through the casino where they are exposed to whatever might cross their path. I see people living the phrase "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"..... but I know it doesn't. You can't hide from the Lord and you will end up before him accounting for your choices some day. 

Enough preaching. I've made many, many bad decisions in my life. I've done things that would make most people blush or weep. I thank the Lord every day that he brought Bubba & I together and that I finally found my faith and the joy it brings to my life. I pray for those who have not yet discovered the joy that following Jesus brings. I pray for those who have not discovered the strength to make better decisions. 

Later today we go to Richard's house in North Las Vegas. I'm so anxious to meet him! Its so exciting to have a new family member after 9 years of not knowing any of Bubba's family. As best they remember they last saw one another in 1985 when Richard came home from Germany and his tour of duty there. They're brothers but barely know one another. It should be wonderful experiencing their reconnection. Bubba and I believe this is the Lord's plan; that we should come here and reunite part of his family. 

If all goes well we will spend more time with Richard tomorrow and hit the road again Tuesday morning. Will try to keep you all posted as to where we are and what we're up to. I should have a picture or two to share with you my morning. 

More later ...........

PRAY OFTEN

LIVE WELL

LAUGH OFTEN

LOVE MUCH 

Are we there yet?

I'm so tired! Who would have thought that two days on the road would poop me out so quickly. We're driving a rental car to Vegas to visit Bubba's Brother, Richard. We left home Thursday morning and spent Thursday night in Wichita. We left Wichita this morning and tonight we're in Albuquerque. We didn't bring the dog or the 5th wheel, planning to make the trip in just over a week. Mom & Dad graciously accepted baby sitting duties with mijo and we left keys for everything else just in case they need. 

First it rained and then it rained and later it rained some more. The last few hours were nothing more than sprinkles, thankfully, so the stress let up a bit.

We've enjoyed some great restaurants photo ops. Today we even stopped in Groom, Texas at the enormous cross and bronze stations. What an overwhelmingly BEAUTIFUL place. I was brought to tears through so much of it. When we pulled in it was raining and there were rain clowds in every direction. It stopped raining when we stepped out of the car and by the time I got to the cross for photo the sky opened up and the sun shone only on the cross; it was still rainy in every direction. To say I was overwheled with emotion would be a horrific understatement.

Well, Bubba is already in bed and I think I'll be jumping in soon. I'm exhausted, as much from driving in the rain as anything else.

I thank you all so much for your prayers today. I know that the love of good friends, family and our Lord is what pulled us through another glorious and emotional day.

More later .........

Yarn stores full for the trip

When I look at the cabinets I filled with yarn I am amazed at how little of the yarn, cotton and thread I purchased new. I would bet only 15% of the cache you see came from the store. And, this collection doesn't include the two steamer trunks full of machine yarn and crafting supplies I put in storage!

Between the generosity of Mom, the folks at church and my finds at estate auctions, I am pretty much set for crochet materials for a long time. I will still look at every second hand store and flea market, to keep my cabinet stocked, but won't have any serious need or room to store it until I get busy.

Mijo has decided, since we removed the sofa from the 5th wheel, that he needs to hang out behind Bubba's recliner. I don't like this much for a couple reasons and do need that area to store a couple little things so we decided to offer him a more typical solution ........ a crate. He had never experienced one before but seems to have taken to it real well. He likes to be out of the line of traffic, be able to keep us in sight and to be covered to some degree. Today I even through a blanket over him in the crate because its cool and rainy and he was shivering.



More later ........

PRAY OFTEN
LIVE WELL
LAUGH OFTEN
LOVE MUCH