I visited the web-site Nancy Snider sent to me, and I answered those questions:
Have you seen a Kansas sunset? Have you seen an Arizona rain? I answer 'yes' to both. The sunset blazing as it sets in Nevada? Aha - and how; today it was just that, and I've lived in Nevada for 8 years now.
Have you drifted down a bayou down Louisiana way? Yes, I have. Have you seen the fog in San Francisco Bay - many times. Have you heard the bird calling in the Carolinas? You betcha - both in North and South!
Have you heard the call of the Niagara Falls? More than once - and splashed with its cold mist; amazed at its power! What about that Massachusetts shore? More than once; dining on huge deep-fried clams; walking around Boston, and noticing Plymouth Rock didn't seem to be all that big.
I saw New York - more than once; amazed at the beauty of the many who co-exist in this place where Lady Liberty stands guard.
I've seen the Mississippi more than once; crossed her many times. I was born in Michigan; from the upper peninsula to the lower, I've toured every county - loved seeing Lake Huron; Ontario, Michigan - Erie, and Superior.
Going through the Rockies; driving 2630 miles from Ohio to Seattle in 3 days - I could not believe my eyes as I passed through the Dakotas; into Montana - Wyoming, then the desert of Spokane. I was relocating to marry a new husband; short of cash, and had to drive 'straight through' - 3 hours of sleep (average) each night (at a rest-stop). The good part of it all, with all the overwhelming beauty of nature along the way, it wasn't that tough to stay awake....
I drove there 3 days after Mt. St. Helens 'erupted' - I dealt with high gas prices; long distances between stops for food and gas, and had to wear a mask over my face to keep out the ash that piled like snow-drifts on the side of the roads as I neared Yakima.
I hear my heart sing - it doesn't cry out; it simply knows why I love my country so much.
Thank you to John Mitchum who reads this beautiful text; to Nancy Snider for sending me the link. It was a wonderful 4th of July - 2008
Before you 'read on', read these words spoken by John F. Kennedy, Jr. - I love them still.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms, and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors.
Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.
Today after losing another dear friend, Jean Kreutz, I made a memory page for those we've recently lost. If you've lost a loved one, we know your pain as well. On this blog, there's spiritual music designed to comfort you; do visit it if you feel a need to find solace. http://thoseweremember.blogspot.com
We ate at the El Torito; low-cost, but excellent food. The owners came from Mexico - she's a marvelous cook, and takes the time to make the food carefully and with lots of love!We hiked down to the river, and found an old broken-down
dock. The few birds that were flying, were seeming to float; lazy
indeed. Once I quickly sketched what I wanted to remember, I decided I'd
turn the picture on its side - with the magic of my computer, I did just
that. I hope you enjoy reading about our state of Nevada; the other states we enjoy most often - Arizona and California. Try turning your own world on its 'head' now and again; do something a bit different, and feel so refreshed and inspired after you do.......
After a wonderful week-end enjoying our area; taking photos (most are at the bottom of this blog), I grabbed up some old crayons I had - thought about the colors that I see most often, and realized it's the yellow of the sun; the lovey purple and blue mountains, and the bright reds of the roses and other flowers that are so beautiful around our home. I think it's time I started sketching 'for real' - I love photography, but I used to draw what I couldn't photograph because I didn't have a camera. My, how I've learned to make use of what is so 'quick and easy'; a camera - all the 'gizmos', but a few crayons is what I used as a child. Come unto me like a child - hmmm - back to the art store for some real supplies I think.
....as I was planning our trip; sorting pictures, and looking at the chart that shows the last 20 years of our DEPENDENCY ON OIL, I noticed how much the chart looked like my weathered flag did on May 14, 2008. Nuf said - pictures are worth a thousand words; you don't need mine to be negative.
Proceed to the rest of the entries to learn why I love the area I live in so much - call it CAN; California, Arizona, and Nevada - thank you for bearing with my 'one' irksome statement/example.
