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?

I received this from a friend today and just HAD to share it…

What a delightful experience I had while visiting the "new" Rotary in the Vail area.  The club was split off from Pantano a year and a half ago and is in the growth mode.  The members are educators, insurance people, an escort officer for international visitors (not how he described it but that's essentially what he is) who works primarily with people from Eastern Europe (Russia) and others that I'm not sure of their occupations.  I will go back next week, it seems to be a great bunch of people.

The District Governor for District 5000 was there.  He's an attorney with a great sense of humor.  He told about how he was supposed to speak at the Pantano Rotary this week and had received a call asking if he could delay his presentation since they had an out of town speaker coming and apologized for the mix-up.  He said he would.  Then he got the newsletter from the club with the storyline that said that "He (District Governor) was supposed to speak but was going to be moved for an interesting speaker."  He, as well as all of us, found that to be really funny!

The girls went to the Theatre workshop today and it sounds like it went pretty well.  They are supposed to call me later and tell me about it.  It should have been an exciting time for them with new experiences and challenges.

The TCIV (Tucson Council for International Visitors) will soon be in possession of my dues.  I look forward to the opportunity to become involved with this world again, I have missed it terribly.  The organization here is different than the one I worked with since it is small, underfunded and so on, but the challenge to get it to be a viable part of the community is really exciting to me.  I certainly have the experience to help get it to its goals so I look forward to it.

We had our carpets cleaned today by Dave's Carpet Cleaning.  A one man operation that did a SUPER job.  He was reasonable, courteous, careful and thorough.  Pretty tough to beat that combination.  If you want your carpets cleaned by a super neat guy his number is 520 (obviously) 745-1530.  He will do your job correctly; at least he sure did a great job at our house!

We have arrived in Arizona following a rather uneventful trip other than when we were caught in a major storm in New Mexico which started with rain so hard I had to pull off the road and wait for the worst of it to pass.  The Prof couldn't stop because there was no one ahead of him that he could see and he didn't want to have someone run into the back of him because they couldn't see him.  It was nasty, then we encountered hail and then a dirt storm that also brought the visibility to zero.  Fortunately it didn't last very long and no major problems, but it was scary anyway!

We got to the house and C had been here all day working with the movers and the furniture delivery guys from the bed shop with no air conditioning working!  It was so hot for them, it was awful.  Fortunately she got a hold of the property manager and he got the air conditioning guy here so by the time we arrived there was air!  Bless her heart.  That along with all the work she had done at the house, it saved me hours and was so wonderful to have done and the cold Pepsi in the refrig was fabulous!  Pizza for dinner was also a great treat.  How do you ever say thank you for that kind of help and have it mean something, it was terrific.

We worked until late last night to get some stuff in place and then got a good start today, tomorrow we certainly hope to have the boxes all unpacked so that we know where everything is.

This afternoon we went furniture shopping at a discount shop, then Sam Levitts and ended up at the store that H told us to go to, Levitts clearance center.  Fortunately we got the sofa, love seat, chaise lounge recliner, two side tables and a coffee table, kitchen table and 6 chairs all at a great price!  Thanks H, now come over on Tuesday and see them.

Mercy is getting used to the house, it took awhile with all the people in and out and the different noises and all that stuff, but tonight she is wandering around and not running away when she hears something new.  By the end of the week she should be back to normal!

Now it's off to bed, don't know when the Prof will get to bed, he's working on computers.