There are many things of beauty in the state of Arizona but capturing two such totally different ideas was just a delight.  First there is the beauty of the Prickly Pear cactus that can be seen all over the area.  Take a walk in the desert and you will be surrounded by the different varieties of cactus, all with their own form of beauty.  What a great way to spend some quiet time just enjoying what nature has provided for us.

Then you can go where the noise is adrenaline driven, where the horses are beautiful, the owners so proud and the crowd excited when their horse comes in first.  The track in Phoenix is beautiful with the wide array of flowers around the winners circle and the water ponds in the infield.  Then there is the turf track that looks like a well cared for fairway at a top level golf course. 

Each of these is something to be enjoyed, in their own way.

 

 

 

This has been a week to see and hear from old friends and it has been delightful.  Our friends from Ecuador have moved back to the states and are now in Oregon.  Health issues were part of the reason although they now seem to be well on the mend.  They wanted to have American (and Canadian) doctors working on the heart issues which apparently was a good thing. 

Then we got together with friends from Cedar Rapids that are here for a month and a half.  They have a really cute apartment that they rent yearly for this time period.  Perfect for the time the time they are here.  We went to dinner with them at the Dakota Cafe the other night and today went out to San Xavier Misison. 

The mission is one of my favorite places to visit.  It is such a beautiful spot and usually have some of the tribal booths set up outside where there are pots and baskets, beading and food.  Today they were light on those things but in two weeks will be the Pow Wow and the place will be jumping.  We had lunch in the little shopping center on the grounds, sitting outside in the beautiful weather and visiting up a storm.

Last night were the dog races.  We hadn't been for some time so it was kind of fun to go.  I talked to Tom Taylor, the General Manager/CFO for a few minutes.  The tracks in AZ have put it to the legislature that they want to put slot machines in the tracks (so it would be kind of like Prairie Meadows only with dog racing rather than horse racing) and feel that it will be a benefit to them and to the state.  The amount of tax revenue they will pay far exceeds the tribal contribution.  They think they will have an answer by June.  Not sure what that will do to the tribes agreement with the state, guess that will all come out in the discussions. 

The monthly coffee at our church for the young people is the same weekend as the Pow Wow.  I have notified the girls since they want to come down.  We'll see if the schedule works for them or not.  Would be fun to have them.

Since yesterday was rather a wasted day, didn't get much done on the sites, I will probably spend the rest of the day and tonight adding content, gosh there is a great deal to see and do in this country!  There will never be enough time to see it all so I truly enjoy writing up the articles for those that will be able to go to the different areas and see some of the glorious sites.

As we get older and think about how our life will be in a few years the one thing that makes us face up to the fact that we are not immortal is the loss of a friend or family member.  We may think we are, we may plan our lives like we are, we may take risks like we are or put things off 'til another day like we are but in fact, we aren't.

When I got news this morning of the death of a good friend, Joan Shafer from Mt. Pleasant, it was a reality check on getting in touch with friends to make sure they know they are important.  This, of course, also applies to family.  Fortunately I can say that I had stayed in touch with Shafer's.  They were too ill to respond but I know they knew I cared and that is what was important.  Jake is in the hospital too, bless his heart this will be so hard for him.  They were so close, such good people.

Jake and Joan were my landlords when I moved to Mt. Pleasant.  They had just built a fabulous 8 plex on the edge of town and I was the first tenant.  Buttons and I moved in and truly enjoyed the space.  We had many dinners there with people from the community, getting to know them.  Jake and Joan were almost always there, part of the "core" group along with Martha, Gayle, Phil, Sam (now also gone), Greg and various others from month to month.  It was a great time, we all enjoyed the good food, friendships and humor that abounded at these gatherings.  I miss them, but more, I miss the people.

So, the point of this is, make sure those that matter to you know they matter.  Drop them a line, give them a call, email them or something, just let them know they are important to you.  Hey, can't hurt and maybe, just maybe you will make someones day a tad bit brighter.

I am quoting from a piece put out by International Living that I think pretty much says what I have been thinking for awhile.  Just thought you might be interested too: "

Western democracies took cues from their eastern and southern socialist neighbors and nationalized entire sections of their economies, most notably the banking and financial parts.

Seems like the recent U.S. regulatory experiment of trusting businesses and corporations to regulate themselves results in monumental cheating, thieving, and profiteering.

Who would have guessed?

Of course, U.S. economic policy has never been anything like real free-market capitalism. In a real free market, there is competition that results in winners…and losers.

But nobody in the U.S. can be allowed to lose or suffer the consequences of their greed, mistakes, and bad decisions.

You heard this from both U.S. presidential candidates last week. They both told anybody who would listen that in their administrations, everybody would be a winner and nobody would be left behind to suffer or fail.

That’s why it’s OK for both a Democrat and a Republican to back the biggest redistribution of wealth in history–the redistribution of a trillion dollars from the pockets of taxpayers into the pockets of cheating, thieving, profiteering businesses.

Something new has been born…Capi-socialism. It’s socialism for businesses.

It’s too good for us little guys…socializing the health care system would be un-American. But spreading the wealth around to the bankers, insurers, and automakers, and putting the government on the board of directors…now that’s patriotic.

I think I just heard Karl Marx laughing.

By this time next week, there will be a new U.S. president, and he’ll inherit the worst financial situation since the Great Depression.

Do you really think nobody is going to suffer or be left behind?

Everybody who isn’t already rich or working for the government is going to suffer, of course. Standards of living will go down. SUVs, McMansions, and five-course meals will be out. Mass transit, three-room condos, and macaroni and cheese will be in.

To me, this is not a bad thing. In my opinion, it’s about time folks woke up and started living within their means…unlike our governments."

It will be interesting to see what occurs in the next 24 to 36 months in this country.  It could turn around, it could end up like so many other countries where there are the super rich and the dirt poor and very little inbetween.  Welcome to socialism.  What a scary future.

That was just too awful for words, the Bears have the lead, they look like it's finally going to be their way and bamb, the Falcon's kicker, who had missed one earlier, put it through the uprights with seconds to go and beat the Bears.  The Falcon's have to be thrilled but darn it for the Bears.

We went to church this morning.  It's always a good feeling to go and hear a message of inspiration and network with other christians after the service.  We had our picture taken for the directory today.  The gal that is putting that together is doing a great job, even though she has most of her finger tips missing.  Don't know why but they are, doesn't seem to stop her from doing what she wants though.

Next Saturday is our turn to feed the people in the park.  We are supposed to meet at the church at 7 am which may mean that I miss it, shoot, it's a 35 minute trip to get there from our house.  I'll just have to wait and see.

Going to check and see if Cyn is home yet, if not I'll run over and feed the cats.  I didn't go before church and she thought she would be home before the Dallas game which starts in just a few minutes so better check.

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So you go to get into your car, it's got to be 150 degrees F in there with the sun baking down on it.  You start the car, turn on the air conditioning and NOTHING happens!  Could it be that your air conditioning compressors shot?  Great!  Now what do you do?  You go to auto ac parts.

Going to the online store will save you money and get you quality parts with super speedy delivery.  And the delivery is free with full warranty on all parts you order from them.  So, get your ac compressor from the guys that understand how awful it is to get into a super hot car with no air!

It's a shame that Mexico and the US are having such a difficult time in taking care of the border issues with the drug cartels.  The murder and mayhem seem to be elevating in seriousness with the beheading of many and the shootings that take place along with the kidnappings of some.  Now, it seems that the cartel is focusing primarily on the opposition gang but when innocent bystanders get in the way they too are at risk of being injured or killed.

It's not the normal people of Mexico, it's the drug cartels that want to have the "ownership" of the drug lanes into the US.  Power, money, drugs and lack of enough resources to stop the "war" have become headline news in papers all along the border.  The stories coming out of the area make it appear that the entire country of Mexico is filled with "bad" people when in fact, there are many areas of the country that are as safe as the US, have generous, gracious people and beauty.  It's just that those places don't make the news.

The kids are headed to Mexico today, I hope they have a blast and don't encounter any delays or problems at the border.  Holiday weekends mean lots of people getting away and with the celebration going on at Rocky Point the traffic will probably be worse than normal.

Are you looking for Turbocharger, Supercharger, nose cones for your car?  If so, then you really need to check out this  turbo and see if what they have to offer isn't just what you have been looking for.

They may not be the cheapest online source, but they will give you the highest quality anywhere.  Their turbochargers increase the speed of your automobile performance.  Everyone wants their car to have better performance, here is a source for making the speed when you need it.

They will give you the fastest shipping online (and guarantee it), comprehensive technical information, resources and advice and have both new and re manufactured options available on many items.

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It has been a wonderful experience to be working on our sites from here.  The quality has improved, the dedication has improved, and the creativity is soaring.  Gosh it's nice to be able to work in an environment that is conducive to getting things done and not babysitting.

Not only is the work on our sites going well but the opportunities for exploring other interests is so much greater.  Having a coffee for a candidate will be a great way to learn more about politics in this state vs the other state.  We are looking forward to it.

The International Luncheon will also be a nice change of pace.  Being back in the world that I truly loved when I was involved before is stimulating and exciting.  It was such fun to put the programs together, to meet the people, to learn about their cultures and to show them that Americans really are good people, not a country to be afraid of but one to share understanding with and work toward common goals.

The Car Show will be another experience that will be fun.  A fellow Rotarian from our club wants to go with me and since I really like her I am looking forward to it.  It will be another opportunity to network with other business people and perhaps get some more leads for the site.

We have Cow Pie Bingo tickets to sell, I have an idea for a location to visit which I will discuss with a fellow Rotarian tonight and see what she thinks.  It will require some courage, but hey, competing with the casinos should be a riot!  We'll see.  I need to check with the casino to find out how much trouble we would be in if we tried my idea.

Having the family home this weekend was superb.  Each and every one is so very special.  Being able to spend some time with them, laugh, talk and cook is just about as good as it can get.  It really helped to have my youngest step in and help with the preparation and getting things on the counter in an orderly fashion and then she and her friend did the dishes.  I owe them for that!

The baby quilt is coming along and now I know that I have another one to make and a quilt for my oldest granddaughter.  She wants one before she leaves for school.  The birthday girl told her Papa that she wants him to make her a new quillo-case so it sounds like we will be busy this winter doing projects for the girls.

The file cabinets are now in the garage, ready to be cleaned up and moved in.  It will be so nice to be able to have those things that need to be organized all in one spot and neat rather than piled hither and yon.  The site visit will be next Monday so we want as much ready as we can have done.  Getting all new computer equipment will make life so sweet!

Now it is time to leave for the Post Office and then Rotary.  When I get home tonight it will be cleaning time and tomorrow the event.  Most of the food is ready so the load tomorrow will not be as heavy as I was afraid it might be and the thought of having friends and neighbors over is just sweet.

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If you are from the south you know that without air conditioning you really suffer in the heat.  Maybe it's time for you to visit Discount AC Parts.com and get the parts to get it fixed.  You probably will have to take the car to a mechanic to get the work done but if you can provide the parts for less than he would charge you then you are money ahead.

The air conditioning compressor is probably where the problem is and that is really a pain.  It is not inexpensive to get repaired and when you have to add the high cost of a dealership providing the parts it gets even worse.  So take a look and see if they have what you need.

If you drive a BMW or Mercedes and your BMW or Mercedes AC compressor is out you know that the bill is not going to be small.  Check out the site and see if it doesn't make sense to get the replacement part here.<img src="http://tinyurl.com/4enc6e" />