Sometimes it is just good to take a break from work and walk outside, there may be something that is so cute waiting to say "HI".  The ground squirrel is around quite often but I have never had the camera with me when it's there.  Today it waited for me to get it so I could share.  The minute I tried to get closer he took off, but thank goodness zoom works so I got him anyway.

Gotta bring a smile to your face when you see something so cute backed by the mountains. 

I will be taking a quick trip back to Iowa next month to do a presentation on IB.  It was nice to get the email request and I look forward to seeing everyone in the group.

I get back the day before we will be leaving to go to our oldest daughters for her birthday and to stay to see the ultrasound of my newest grandbaby!  It will be so neat seeing everyone, miss them and just saw them a few weeks ago!  We will be going up more often so we can see plays, games, and other activities for the kids.  Exciting to be so close and get to do those things.

Now it is time to go to Rotary where I will be joining my new club.  Nice group of people with great ideas.  Looking forward to being involved with them on their projects!

So they asked me to write about the most humourous vacation I've ever had, the list could be endless but since they also require you to take one of the cities they list it limited it somewhat.  That means that I will be writing about a trip to Chicago not too long ago.  We went in for the weekend to meet some college friends of my husband for dinner and drinks.  We arrived a day early so we would have time to visit some of the clubs (at least one) and hear some great jazz and blues.

We went by cab to a club that we thought opened up at 8.  We were wrong, it was 9 so we had an hour to kill.  We walked down to a little park right next to the Children's Research Hospital.  The park was so charming, lots of statues, benches and a fountain.  The perfect place to sit and visit while we waited for the club to open.

As we were sitting there I said to my husband, I thought I just saw a ground squirrel run across the sidewalk.  After all, it's a park, it's clean and so what else could it be?  Not so trusting small town person!  It was a rat.  Now, we aren't talking about just one rat we are talking about a bunch of rats running from one side of the sidewalk to the other.  As I sat with my feet up on the bench we watched the procession.

There was a guy sitting on another bench who had his trusty bottle of beer in the ever so not  noticeable brown paper bag.  He announced to my husband that he couldn't have any (which broke both of us up since my husband really hates beer.)  After being assured that he wouldn't be required to share his beer he went back to whatever world he was living in at the time.  He spilled some of his beer and whoosh, here came the rat to drink the beer!

We truly were ready to go to the club when it opened but I couldn't help asking my husband if he thought the lab rats had gotten out of the hospital and we were watching the procession of escapees as they migrated to the "big city" from the confinement of the lab.

You probably won't get a chance to sit in the park where we did on a tour but you probably will see other things in Chicago when you take the Trusted Tours and Attractions.

Top of the Rock  is another opportunity for you to see something different.  You may want to check it out.

If you are interested in receiving more information you can get their newsletter.  You can also check out their online travel guides for other ideas.

 

It is interesting to me that Senator Obama has chosen Senator Biden for his running mate only because the two are so different in so many ways and yet, it is a good match for the strength that Senator Biden can bring to the ticket.  Senator Biden is a seasoned, well respected, super nice guy with connections to many of the areas that Senator Obama probably isn't the strongest in.

I like Joe Biden; he is a gentleman with a great sense of humor, a bright mind and dignified appearance that will certainly be well received by the press.  Now, he has a tendency to say things that the press likes to pick on, and I suppose some of them deserve it, but, isn't it nice to know that someone in office is going to call it the way he sees it instead of the political careful speak that has gone on for so bloody long?

Anyway, I have met and had my picture taken with Senator Biden.  He was a friend of a dear friend that has now passed away, Tom Dawson.  If Tom Dawson thought he was an ok guy then I can be pretty sure that my read on the Senator was correct.  Nice guy.

Congrats Senator Biden.

 

The move to Arizona was one that we had been discussing for some time; now that we are here we can admit that it was a good move.  There are things that keep us busy all the time, mostly work related but some just for sheer joy.

Last night we went to the dog races, didn't stay long, just long enough to enjoy them and win 4 out of 5 wagers (of course, that still didn't amount to much because we don't bet much!)  In fact, we didn't win enough to cover our dinner cost which was only $14 so you can see that gambling isn't a strong suit with us, but we do enjoy watching the races.  The dogs are so pretty and they put on quite a show before the race and after as they mix with each other and the handlers.  It appears that they are well taken care of and like the people they are around.  That is a good thing; otherwise I wouldn't be able to attend.

We are working on many projects now, it's fun to develop new things and continue to work on the old.  The work load is rather overwhelming but we just keep plugging away and gaining a little.

This afternoon is orientation for Rotary.  I'm looking forward to finding out what this club is involved in for projects.  It seems like they are super involved in things with kids and with the community.  At the last meeting they decided to have a fundraiser called "Cow Pie Bingo."  I'm not sure how it all comes together but obviously everyone there knew and thought it was a great idea.  Should be fun.

I haven't seen my grandson that lives here in Tucson for ages.  He and his parents need to come on over, guess I'll have to call and see if that will work.  Miss them all.  We are going to go see our birthday girl in September.  Excited about that and seeing how the kids and the new one on the way (Pete) are doing.  We will probably be making that trip more often now that we are "kind of" settled in the house.

It's great to have the other daughter so close, we have gotten together for "coffee" a few times and just being able to drop in (after calling to make sure it's ok) has been a delight.

The bird bath is now in the backyard.  It went in this morning so it will be interesting to see how long it takes for the birds to find it…if there is any interest.

Now it's time to make some calls.  Have a great day!

 

My question is, when 2042 arrives and the whites are the minority in the US, will they be given the same minority advantages that have been put in place for the other minority population?  Will it be required that businesses and government have English for those that don't speak Spanish?  Now, I understand all the advantages of offering minorities an equal footing, I just wonder if whites will get the same.  Will there be advantages to being a white?  Will schools be required to have the diversity that was implemented in the 60's for minorities? 

Looking at the demographics of the US Congress is an interesting wake up call for those that think the Congress is comprised of stuffy old white men, take a look, it's really interesting and a good measurement of the demographics of our melting pot country.  We live in a country that has accepted it's residents from all over the world, it's the way it's supposed to be here.  What has made this country work is that very interesting mix of ideas, cultures, beliefs and determination.

Not too many years ago the Irish were considered the lowest form of life, forbidden to own property in certain areas of a community (Des Moines is one of them..the South Side even had it in it's home ownership documents that a house could not be sold to a person of color or an Irishman.)  So, what made the difference?  Time.  The US will emerge from the changes now taking place a strong and viable country just as it did when the majority of the people were of European decent. 

The leadership needs to be aware that there are challenges in this country, not just internationally.  The new president must keep his eye on the home court as well as the international court.  It needs strong, dedicated leadership.  It needs stability, it needs vision, it needs consistancy, it needs honor and trustworthyness.  It will require someone that BELIEVES in the US, it what it stands for and what it can accomplish.  The future of our country will be interesting, decisions will need to be made, adjustments in attitude will need to be made and honor and honesty needs to be a priority.  Do you think that can happen?  An honest, honorable, proud to be an American leadership?  Let's hope so.

I have been working on www.txbeautiful.com today to get some content loaded.  It is a large state with lots to put in and I haven't left Austin yet!  That city has always been one of my favorites, not that I have spent much time there, just been to the capital grounds and toured them and was facinated by the way the put the administrative buildings underground, with sky lights, to make sure the Capitol is what people see, what stands out.

Now I have found out about some of the museums, the Governor's Mansion and more.  Interesting.  The Governor's Mansion had a huge fire in June which is so sad.  They are trying to salvage all they can and rebuild but when you have the fourth oldest continuiously lived in Governor's Mansion in the US and the oldest west of the Mississippi, which was built originally for $14,500, it really is sad to have to rebuild with new products and not be able to save the historical construction of the building.  And you can bet your booty that it will cost many hundreds of times more than $14,500 to rebuild!

Since family has some connection to Texas it has been fun to work on it.  Wonder how many of the things I will write about Mom and Dad had a chance to see, or my brother and his wife.  Interesting

This is the kit that can be obtained for the capture of stem cells from the menstrual cycle.  The purpose is to put the stem cells in storage, at a low temperature, for potential cellular therapies that may be used in the future.  Since stem cells are self-renewing the ability for them to be used for diseases that could inflict damage in later life gives them the ability to help your body to heal.

Stem cell research has been going on for a long time with both positive and negative reviews.  The talk of taking the stem cells from the fetus of aborted babies caused a huge outcry against the practice.  I can't say I disagree with that, just too sad for me to grasp.  But the ability to use your own stem cells to heal your own body seems to me to make sense and since the menstrual cycle provides stem cells, which is about the only good thing I can think of concerning the menstrual cycle, then perhaps there is a good reason for it.

With the company offering their product at a discounted price and then providing another set for you to give to someone you care about that wouldn't be grossed out with the concept of using it there could be a benefit to obtaining one.

The stem cells can also be used for other family members when the need arises for diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.  The life altering heartache that all of these diseases cause is difficult not only for the one suffering but also for those that love them.  Watching a healthy person fall apart when there isn't a need (if the stem cell can repair it) is something that could be a real blessing.  Think about the person suffering from a stroke, not being able to talk or walk or do the normal things they were capable of doing just the day before the stroke, or about the loving, active caring person that is robbed from you with the tragedy of Alzheimer's, or the damage that a heart attack causes or the sadness of Parkinson's disease taking the ability to function away from someone so talented and gifted and make them unable to continue with their profession.  Not that there is anything wrong with the mind, in that case, just the body not being able to continue.

If having stem cells available would be able to cure these horrid problems and all it requires is the capture of some of the stem cells from the menstrual cycle then it appears to me that some good could be accomplished without any of the negatives so often associated with stem cell work.

C'elle Client Testimonial

 Go to their site, read what they have to say and make the decision for yourself as to whether this is something you want to do or not.  It is a personal choice and a personal decision that could, maybe, save your life or the life of someone you love.  Might be worth the read to just find out, then do some more research, check the blogs, read the medical reports and decide what is right for you.

 

Since there aren't any horse tracks around here we decided to go to the dog track last night.  Actually, it was rather fun.  When we first pulled up all we could think was that it was in pretty worn out shape, then walking inside we got the giggles (at least I did) because it reminded me of Puerto Rico, the smells, the design, the 3rd world environment, worn out but still functional.  Interesting. 

We commented on how some people we know would have a heart attack going into this type of environment and then thinking about his parents we knew they would be just as comfortable as we were.  Think that comes from some of the traveling we have done because I can guarantee you that 15 years ago I would have been taken back, now, it really seemed kind of normal.

We walked around outside and talked to some people to get a feel for what was going on.  Now, talking to some people means the two that were sitting in the smoking section, two of the, perhaps, 10 people outside, most of whom were staff.  In other words, there wasn't a huge crowd.

We walked over to where they keep the dogs, it was actually rather interesting, the vet is there, there is a walking bridge that we assume the dogs walk up prior to the races for the vet to check them over (didn't see that happen, but since there were more than one in separate rooms it made sense.)  It was clean, if basic.

When we went into the "Clubhouse" for the dinner and watching the races we were among, perhaps, 30 people in the facility that would hold 250.  There were more people outside by this time but still, not Prairie Meadows.  The dinner was actually pretty good and very reasonable.  $8.99 for Black Angus, baked potato and salad.  The steak was good and big enough so I couldn't eat it all.

When the dogs and the walkers came out on the track we paid close attention to how the handlers were with them.. One of the things I noticed was the way one of the handlers was unconsciously stroking the dogs ears.  Just petting and petting, the others were inclined to run their hands down the dogs head and back but this one guy was doing the unconscious action, so natural.

At the end of the race the dogs all ran to the edge of the track and got a treat, then went right to their handler.  Didn't appear to me that there was any mistreatment, at least I sure hope not, since it was really fun.

The General Manager/CFO of the track came over and visited with us a few minutes.  His name is Tom, nice guy.  Been with the track for 10 years.

Anyway, it was fun.  Flashbacks of the places we have visited in the past in other parts of the world.  Just makes me want to travel again, great experiences and super people.

One of the things that is interesting about moving to a new neighborhood is getting to know your neighbors.  Tonight we were visiting with one that was telling us about his former company, which he sold when Clinton (the guy Clinton) came into office.  His company was health care related and the things that the Ms. President wannabe had planned for the country with socialized medicine convinced him that if the right buyer came along it was time to get out of his business.  It did and he did.  His thoughts and comments about the Clintons' were less than supportive.

 

He is a really nice man and his wife is a dream.  We are so fortunate to have moved into an area where everyone we have met has been pleasant.  Most are either military or retired military or work for a defense contractor so their thoughts are interesting.  It would seem that the military is behind McCain since there has not been a positive comment about Obama.  The political signs will be going up in the near future so it will be interesting to see if everyone in the neighborhood that chooses to have a sign in their yard is a McCain fan or if some of them will go the other way.

 

We were discussing the media with the neighbor tonight.  The news that is presented by our countries media on the same stories presented in other countries show the different political influence applied.  The same story will come out with totally different interpretations depending on which country is delivering the news so the general consensus is that it is best to get the news from as many sources in as many countries as you can and then filter through the political leadings and make up your own mind about what is factual and what is not.  Gosh, if we only had time to do that we could probably learn a great deal more about the true status of the world but who has the time to do it everyday?