The Nancy Grace Fall-out

Oh my gosh, I had the perfect post for today ending up my commentaries on the Casey Anthony trial.  The bottom line is there wasn't even enough circumstantial evidence to convict Casey who was facing the death penalty if found guilty.  I've watched coverage of this from almost day 1 and watched all of the trial coverage including seeing the laughing guy Jeff Ashton.  There was nothing in the evidence that would convince me this young mother deserved the death penalty.  Complicating matters was the mouths of the talking heads, specifically Nancy Grace of HLN, a subsiduary of CNN.  She has been extremely vile always saying it is her First Ammendment Right.

Excuse me but I do know a bit about the US being there on a regular basis and owning property there.  The First Ammendment does not give you the right to commit character assination, lible another person or instigate hatred.  I'm sorry but Nancy Grace did all of these so I do hope Casey's attoneys sue Nancy Grace as well as HLN and CNN.  [Oh and Nancy if you are reading this, you are seriously a nasty piece of work!  You talk about others making money off of Casey Anthony and yet that is exactly what you are doing.  For shame!]  Now what is very interesting is the lawyers for Doctor Conrad Murrya, the doctor going on trial for the death of Michael Jackson specifically indicated their concern over Nancy Grace's vile behaviour with respect to the Casey Anthony trial.   So her comments are now wasting the court's time?  Hmm, can't she be charged with that?  They want the jourey sequestered immediately and when you are talking the Michael Jackson trial that is going to be a lot longer than the time the jurers for the Casey Anthony trial were sequestered.   They don't feel they can get a free trial based partly on the vile comments of Nancy Grace.  Now that's a shame because it is going to cost the state of Florida more money and guess what they just wasted a bundle using Jeff Ashton aka the laughing guy.  Perhaps Nancy Grace's ultimate adgenda is making the state of Florida a laughing stock and they are thanks to the ilk of Nancy Gracy they certainly are looking like a laughing stock!

So Nancy Grace in all her vileness exercised her First Ammendment Rights under the guise of being a journalist.  Let me tell you she is not now or ever has been a journalist.  Journalism may have been an excuse to exagerate, speculate, stetch the truth or blatant lie but there is no doubt that not once has she told the truth with respect to Casey Anthoney.  I do think that one aspect of the ethics of journalism is reporting the truth.  What ever happened to reporting the truth?  Nancy Grace has failed that every step of the way!  My opinion is she is a true disgrace to journalism, HLN and CNN.  She should be held accountable for the vile hatred she had managed to spread and Now if I were a talking head which I'm not I would question her mental stability.  Maybe I should speculate about her motives or where she was and why she would be saying the things she is that could put her family at risk.  Perhaps we could question whether she needs psychaiatric help or if she is off her meds.  Honestly this talking head is causing way more problems she is worth to the networks, if you ask me.  Yet she contnues to make money off of Casey Anthony.  Afterall, that's what talking heads do.  They make money spewing off nonsense all in the name of being a journalist exercising their First Ammendment Rights.  I say BS!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Wordless Wednesday - Aging Gracefully

Aging Gracefully

July 11, 2011

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Judge Belvin Perry in the Casey Anthony Tria

Judge Belvin Perry was the judge in the Casey Anthony trial.  Honestly my impression of him is he was so full of himself it really was pathetic.  He came across as a minority with power that he was simply going to swing around because he could.  He  was so concerned over keeping the trial on schedule that he did hinder both the defense and prosecution.  There is money pinching and being frugal but when it comes to life or death decisions a day or two extra to allow the jury to go through all the evidence should have been allowed.  I really did not like Judge Perry.  He charged one with 2 days in jail for making an inappropriate comment and a 28 year old 6 days for making a gesture in court and yet allowed the prosecution lawyer Jeff Ashton to grin, smirk and downright laugh in court over and over and over.  He was, in my opinion a total disgrace to the bench.  Ashton should have be at the very least been held in contempt of court given his behaviour.  Now what Perry glossed over is I think if the defense wanted to press it they could easily get a mistrial because Perry wanted to keep court costs down.  The penalty facing Casey Anthony was death.  He in good conscious could say hey I kept the court costs down?  What is with that?  I did hear he is supposed to be penning a book over this trial.  So he can make money, keep court costs down with a young woman facing death if found guilty?  He had his moment of fame, his 15 minutes in the limelight but he isn't worth wasting any time on by buying whatever book he writes.  He was in this trial for one thing only and that was to make money from it, not for justice.  What a sham!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Casey Marie Anthony Free

Casey Marie Anthony, the young mother on trial for the murder of her toddler is officially a free woman.  I've been following this trial since Day 1 when we were at our vacation home in Florida, not far from where the trial was held.  In this case and I honestly do not think Casey killed little Caylee, justice was served.  There was no real justice for Caylee though.  I doubt the cause of death or what actually happened to that poor little one will ever be disclosed.  The whole family and that came up over and over during the trial lives on lies.  I really do think that Casey is a victim of her family.  She was the obvious scapgoat which ended up costing her 3 years in jail from charges brought against her by complaints from her very own mother.  No wonder she refused to see her mother in jail!  Think about it.  Her mother did not protect her from being sexually abused by her father and brother THEN betrayed her again by having her charged for cheque fraud.  So Cindy Marie Anthony, Casey's mom is not the little Miss Innocent Goodie Two Shoes the talking heads portrait her to be.   What is very interesting is the jury actually believed that George Anthony, Casey's dad was the one responsible for Caylee's death.  Any normal parent or grandparent faced with a drowned child would call 911 and with him being a retired police detective, that should have been his first response yet he didn't call 911.  Then he lied about his affair losing all credibility with the jury and quite frankly with the public.  I really do believe that George Anthony is the person responsible for little Caylee's death.

I for one am glad to see Casey a free woman.  I hope that her attorneys go full barrels against the talking heads, especially Nancy Grace.  Of all the talking heads Nancy Grace has been particularly nasty but Jane Valez-Mitchell has been running a close second as to the derrogatory comments.  More importantly I hope her attorneys take it a step further by suing HLN, the news station of the talking heads.  And I hope the young store clerk that was attacked because she looks a bit like Casey sues the talking heads and HLN a subsiduary of CNN for their actions in promoting hatred.  I hope that Casey's attornies sue CNN for allowing HLN to spew forth such hatred.  There is freedom of the press but these talking heads are beyond guilty of character assination and promoting hatred.  I hope that Casey's attorneys go after that horrid Facebook site promoting hatred against Casey putting her life in jeopardy.  Facebook itself should remove the site which is really against the TOS anyway.  What the talking heads and HLN does not seem to understand is they are directly responsible for promoting this hatred EVEN though Casey was found not guilty of murder, aggravated child abuse or aggravated manslaughter.  She's not guilty!  Leave her alone.  Respect the jury's decision and leave her alone.  She has lost everything - her child, her family, her freedom, her peace of mind, her personal right to safety - EVERYTHING!  And yet the talking heads circling like vulchers looking for a feeding frenzy wanted the death sentence.  FOR SHAME!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessing Sunday - Family & Friends

Wow, what an absolutely wonderful week spent with family and friends!  We had a chance to visit with all three grandkids and their parents this past week.  Our grandkids are the sweetest blessings ever.  I thought being blessed with kids was amazing, watching them grow to become the wonderful adults they are even more amazing but oh my gosh grandkids are the icing on the cake!

And then there's our friends.  They are some of best folks you could ever meet.  They would not hesitate to give you the shirt of their back.  They are always there for us, never wavering in good times and even stronger in bad times.  Believe me we are so blessed to have such true friends that are always there, that we can rely on anytime and you know are just wonderful people about as close to family as you can get!

It was a wonderful week!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

A Few Thoughts on My Hair

Ok, you think it is a funny topic but ever since my husband had his head shaved for cancer I've been thinking about my hair.  It is waist long, virgin hair that is gracely aging aka getting very close to salt & pepper.  It is treated with nothing more that shampoo and condition and I went to a No-poo cleansing system using cider vinegar and baking soda that I use a couple of times a month in addition to shampoo and conditioner.  I wear my hair long and straight most days or a semi-pony tail secured with a clip.  Occasionally in the summer I use a silicone product like Citri Shine but that's about it.  Long hair need not be high maintenance either.  I wash it, blow dry then style (eg. flat iron, curing iron) and believe me styling is not something I am all that interested.  I really can't be bothered.  As long as it is clean and looks half decent, I'm happy.  I know I should not blow dry my hair but trust me it is the only way to get this amount of hair dried during the winter months and I do give it a break in the summer letting the sun dry it naturally.  I have twisted it into a bun during the summer months after a day spent on the boat and honestly it will still be wet two days later!  I don't think I could ever go with a short hairdo though.  I've always had long hair with the exception of one defiant period where I cut it short to spite my Mom but that didn't last long. 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Wordless Wednesday - Hospital Waiting Room Chairs

Oh So Comfy!

June 23, 2011

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

In the Aftermath of the Casey Anthony Trial

Cheney Mason, one of the members had a lot of negative things to say about the media leading up to and during the Casey Anthony trial.  I honestly cannot help but agree with him.  My husband refers to these media vultures as talking heads.  The thing is the talking heads extrapolate, speculate and downright sensationalize without knowing the whole story.  And while they are condemning some of trying to make money off of the death of little Caylee Anthony, they are doing the exact same thing.  They have been making money off this case ever since Caylee's disappearance and have been making money doing nothing more than character accination leading up to and during the trial.  So those like Nancy Grace who I find particarly nauseating that are claiming they are seeking justice for Caylee have blood money on their hands.  All of a sudden Casey's boyfriend and former friends are coming forward.  Do you think they are doing these interviews without being paid some type of compensation?  And then there were the so called protestors at the courthouse.  Now that really is a joke as the real thing they were really interested in was getting their 15 minutes of fame on television.  Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter.  She will be released into the community on July 17, one week from today.  In the meantime the talking heads will continue to make money off of the death of little Caylee Marie Anthony.  And the talking head can sleep tight at night then look at themselves in the mirror the next morning knowing they have blood money on their hands and no amount of washing ever gets rid of blood money!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - A Wonderful Summer Week

It is almost human nature to complain about the weather.  Everyone can relate, it is a safe conversational topic, and no one can do anything about it.  This past week it would have been difficult to find any complaints with the weather.  It was gorgeous, perhaps a bit too hot for some and too humid for others, but gorgeous no the less.  We had the boat out a couple of times and went to a belated Canada Day celebration complete with a pig roast and a fireworks display that would out rival many community fireworks hosted by my husband's aunt and uncle.  They have a beautiful 25 acre farm with a large manmade pond.  A picture of the pond is the background for my gardening blog.  It was a beautiful warm summer day with an amazingly blue sky dotted with big fluffy white clouds and yet the night brought cooler air perfect for watching the fireworks display.  It was the perfect ending to the perfect summer week!



Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Community Fireworks

Fireworks

July 1, 2011 

As newlyweds we decided that buying fireworks for a personal display was not a frugal use of our funds.  I can recall only once where we gave into the pleas of our kids to by a few fireworks and a couple of occasions of buying sparklers.  Many communities have a fireworks display for July 1, Canada Day.  We seldom attend though.  I guess it is something we never got into and living in smaller communities it is easy to see any fireworks anyway.  This past Canada Day we attended the community fireworks display.  A large group of us gathered on the lawn of one of our friends where we had a wonderful view of the fireworks.  It was a very pleasant way to spend the evening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Casey Anthony Sentencing Hearing

Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murder, not guilty of aggravated child abuse and not guilty of aggravated manslaughter but guilty on four counts of lying to a police officer on Tuesday.  Today Judge Perry sentenced her to 1 year for each count for a maximum of four years less time served as well as $1,000 fine per count ($4,000).  She was credited with 1,043 days served giving a release date of July 13, 2011.  At that time she will be released into the community.  While she will have her freedom, she still faces a multitude of legal problems.  The state is suing for costs.  The search party is seeking compensation from Casey and her parents.  A deposition was served on Casey last night by the attorney for a woman who's name is Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez the name used by Casey for "Zanny the Nanny" for damages she has suffered as a result of Casey's lies.  Casey's parents have received death threats and Casey's defense team is very concerned about her safety once released.  There is talk that Cindy Anthony (Casey's mom) may be charged with purgery.  Cindy and George's (Casey's parents) neighbours are hoping they make enough money from telling their story so they can move out of the neighbourhood.  So the story doesn't end with Casey's release from prison next Wednesday.

Quite frankly, I feel justice was served in this case.  The prosecution failed to prove that Casey actually committed any crime other than lying to a police officer.  Without that proof, the jury had no choice but to find her not guilty of murder, aggravated child abuse or aggravated manslaughter.  They followed the law in that respect.  Prosecutor Jeffery Ashton discredited himself throughout the trial by smirking (opening statements and during trial) to coming close to openly laughing during Jose Baez's closing statements.  What I found interesting is Judge Perry gave one lady two days in jail for making a comment in court, and 28 year old Mathew Barlett six days in court along with a $400 fine plus $263 in court costs for flipping the bird at Jeff Ashton.  Yet he did nothing about the shameful behaviour of Jeff Ashton other than threaten sanctions.  I think Jeff Ashton thought this was a slam dunk case so got just a bit too cocky.  In that respect the solid win by the defense team is a bit sweeter.  Jeff Ashton announced his retirement the same day as the not guilty verdict.

The sad thing in all of this is a little child, Caylee is dead.  If the Anthony family knows anything about it they will never talk now.  Even if it was discovered that Casey did kill her daughter which I believe she did not, she cannot be charged again.  It is doubtful that the cause of death of little Caylee will ever be found.  Yet many lives were affected and continue to be affected by this little angel.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Wordless Wednesday - Luminaries of Hope

Luminaries of Hope

June 24, 2011

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Verdict Reached in Casey Anthony Trial

After a little over ten hours of deliberation, the jury found Casey Anthony not guilty of First Degree Murder, not guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter, and not guilty of Aggravated Child Abuse.  They found her guilty of lying to a police officer.  The sentencing will be on Thursday but with time served, with any luck she will be a free woman then.

The media is having a feeding frenzie on this one They are still condemning Casey even though she has been acquitted but they they had her guilty and on death row well before the trial.  Now Jose Biaz hinted that they would be seeing some of the members of the press shortly.  I would think after some of the things said by HLN journalists that some will be held accountable for the liabliss statements made against Casy.  I honestly hope they particularly hit Nancy Grace hard for her vile and vicious tounge.  She honestly is a nasty piece of jounalism, a definite shame to her profession! 

The media is so hyped up they are even discussing where Casey will live if released on Thursday.  According to Nancy Green and her narrow minded cronies, Casey has no choice but to move back in with her parents.  Now I don't know what the heck they have been sniffing but Casey has a lot of options where to live if released and I certainly doubt whe will move in with her parents of whom she accused her father of molesting her since age eight.  Some of these sensationalist journalists need to consider that there are safe houses, support systems and government assistence available to Casey.  Oh but that would take a bit away from the sensationalism, wouldn't it?

The sad reality is a little girl, Caylee Marie Anthony is dead.  Her mother, Casey Marie Anthony will now be allowed to grieve but her life will never be the same.  A disfunctional family has literally been destroyed not only via the trial but by the assination by the media.  Their neighbours are hoping they make a lot of money from telling their story so they can move away and life get back to normal in the neighbourhood.  And in the end, Caylee Marie Anthony is dead...

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Case Against Casey Anthony Goes to the Jury

Judge Perry gave instructions to the jury and they are now in deliberation.  Now it is a waiting game for the verdict.  Looking at it from the outside, there really is no evidence that Casey Anthony harmed her daughter Caylee in any manner.  In fact she was quoted to be a very good mother.  There's no DNA evidence on the duct tape, something that would be expected if the duct tape had actually been on Caylee.  There is no evidence that Casey beyond a shadow of a doubt did the searches on chloroform.  Four people had access to that computer so it really could have been any of them that did those searches.  There is no evidence little Caylee's body was ever in the car.  There is evidence that the car did not smell and in fact the idea that the smell was so bad seems to be one planted by Casey's father George.  The only thing the evidence showed is that Casey did in fact lie to law officials. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Casey is indeed a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of her father and possibly her brother, Lee.  There was even speculation by law officials that Lee was the father of his niece, Caylee.  The hatred on Casey's face towards her father is more than apparent!  There is a lot of problems and issues in this family.  The sad thing is this family, as disfunctional at it was, is now completely destroyed.  I doubt it could ever be healed.  Part of that is due to the huge circus the media has turned this case into. 

The media has been absolutely brutal in this case.  In particular to the point of being nauseating is Nancy Grace who calls Casey Tot Mom.  She is not only deragoatory and judgemental but just a nasty piece of work.  Feeding off of someone's misfortune and judging them guilty before they have been proven to be guilty just makes her look foolish.  But what goes around comes around so at some point hopefully she is on the receiving end of what she is dishing out.  Now we wait for the verdict and yet the media is hounding the defense team while they are having their lunch.   It's sad that the media has to be so callous!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - Celebrating with Family and Friends

This past week was one of celebration.  We attended the 65^th birthday celebration of a very good friend during the afternoon on Canada Day (July 1).  It was wonderful to be able to share in this happy event! After the birthday celebration we went to another friend's house where we enjoyed a barbeque with him and his young daughter before we all headed out to enjoy the community fireworks.  We had a perfect view of them from another friend's side yard.  More friends some with their children joined us for a fun filled evening.  The fireworks were amazing, filling the night sky with gorgeous colours celebrating Canada's one hundred and forty-fourth birthday.  What a great way to enjoy time with family and friends!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Happy Canada Day

Today is Canada Day so I would like to wish all of my Canadian readers happy celebrations.  We will be enjoying a wonderful day spent with family and friends.  

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Wordless Wednesday - Pugs on Fremont Street, Las Vegas

Pugs on Fremont Street, Las Vegas

May 13, 2011

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

City of Las Vegas First Hospital Historical Plaque

City of Las Vegas First Hospital Historical Plaque 

May 12, 2011

On May 15, 1905 Las Vegas was established although the area was inhabited well before that.  The first 'hospital' was an 8-foot by 10-foot tent at Stewart Avenue and Third Street erected for the railroad workers in 1904.  The first doctor (chief surgeon) was Dr. Royce (Roy) Martin, Las Vegas & Tonopah Railroad.  A second tent was errected at  Eighth Street and Ogden Avenue.  The first doctor at that tent hospital was Dr. Halle Hewertson, the surgeon for the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad.  The doctors worked together providing medical care for the railroad workers.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

May 12, 2011

Las Vegas is the city of lights, glitter and glitz!  Driving along Las Vegas Boulevard is stunning at night.  We have only seen the strip dark once, in memory of Frank Sinatra.  Other than that, the lights are always lit at night.  Pictured is the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.  Isn't it impressive?

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - My Amazing Husband

We have been married over 30 years.  There are times I really have issues with my husband and quite frankly there are things he does that seriously annoy me.  It's hard living with another person something I think anyone who has been in a long term relationship will attest to.  There are some things that he does simply amazes me!  Yesterday was one of those days.

We have been dealing with my husband's unexpected health issues since May 14, during the 18 hour break between Las Vegas and Florida.  Since then he has been poked, prodded, hospitalized and undergone a variety of medical tests.  Yet he was determined to participate in two community events yesterday.  The first was the Jail & Bail to raise funds in support of Crime Stoppers.  He was 'arrested' for having 'too sharp of a pencil' and successfully raised his bail money to get out of jail.  This was a well worth fundraiser that gives back to the community.  Thanks so much to all who supported him in this fundraiser.  He raised a little over $300 to help make our community a safer place to live for all.


The second community event yesterday started at 7 PM.  It was the Community Relay for Life in support of survivors of cancer and remembering those who did not survive.  I went along to take pictures and honestly this was a very moving and emotional event.  As I looked through the crowd, every single person there had been affected by cancer on one or more levels.  At 8 PM my husband had his beautiful hair shaved off stopping only briefly to honour a generous $50 donation (thanks!) for the mohawk shot.  Then his moustache was shaved off.  This is the second time that has been off in well over 30 years!  But it did not end there.  Thanks to another very generous donation of $100 his eyebrows were shaved off.  Oh my gosh does he ever look different!  Not only did he have monetary support, family and friends as well as clients showed up to give emotional support.  I do have to brag a bit as he raised almost $1,400 for this very worthwhile fundraiser in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. 

At 9:30 PM there was the Luminary Ceremony and like everyone there, we had purchased luminaries to remember family members who did not survive cancer.   Sadly we lit a luminary for my husband's Mom and Dad as well as one for our DIL's sister.  Yet we should have lit a lot more :(  My DIL, middle grandchild who wants to know when they will put the hair back on Papa, and I left around 10 PM.  My husband camped out with his team, continuing the relay until 7 AM Saturday morning.


He did all of this while not feeling well himself.  He unselfishly raised funds to help the community, giving back to the community.  He's a very community minded person but what he did Friday is quite amazing if you ask me.  Kudos to my husband.  I am so very, very proud of him!


Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Looking Down on the Hoover Dam Bypass

Looking Down on the Hoover Dam Bypass

May 11, 2011

Driving through the Mojave Desert is a stark contrast to Las Vegas.  It is an absolutely gorgeous drive that brings you out of all the glitz and glitter of Las Vegas, a vivid reminder that this is a desert.  It is easy to view the desert as barren land but it really is buzzing with a variety of wildlife.  The flora and fauna varies depending on the smaller ecosystems within the Mojave Desert.  It really is some of the most amazing natural eye candy!

We explored a bit the day we visited the Hoover Dam.  My husband was entranced by the new Hoover Dam bypass.  So we went off the beaten track to get pictures looking down on the bypass as it snakes through the desert landscape (pictured).  Mind you we were not in a four wheel drive vehicle and my gosh the dirt road we took had a few scary points but we did get those pictures.  It was well worth it!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

My Online Stalker is Truly a Pathetic Loser!

[edited July 7, 2011]
[My apologies to my readership other than my internet stalker.   This post is directed at my stalker so others can disregard.  Normal posting will resume tomorrow.]

Have you ever had a gotcha moment?  Well I finally have the proof that my online stalker has been using a proxy server to view my blogs.  You see all along I had my suspicions but now I have the physical proof.  Apparently "hide my ass" anonymous proxy did not hide this person's IP .   See that little line that says "IP Address"?  How pathetic can a person actually be?  Despite a very clear indication that I do not want anything to do with this person, she has not got the message.  Time to launch the LARTs!
-----
Number of Entries: 2
Entry Page Time: 23 Jun 2011 10:00:23
Visit Length: 5 mins 53 secs
Browser: IE 7.0
OS: WinXP
Resolution: 1024x768

Total Visits: 1
Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
IP Address: Bell Canada (74.14.230.164) [label edited to not name my stalker]
Referring URL: www.hidemyass.com/
Entry Page: 5.hidemyass.com/ip-1/encoded/Oi8vZ2FyZGVuZ25vbWVzam91cm5leS5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20v&f=norefer
Exit Page: 5.hidemyass.com/ip-1/encoded/Oi8vZ2FyZGVuZ25vbWVzam91cm5leS5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20vc2VhcmNoP3VwZGF0ZWQtbWF4PTIwMTEtMDYtMTZUMDclM0EwMCUzQTAwLTA0JTNBMDA%3D


Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Arizona State Line

Arizona State Line

May 11, 2011

The Hoover Dam is very close to the Arizona state line.  I like taking pictures of provincial and state welcoming signs as mementos of our travel adventures.  They are wonderful additions to my travel scrapbooks.  Pictured is the Arizona state line sign on US Highway Route 95 Southbound Hoover Dam Bypass.  We have been into Arizona a few times while vacationing in Las Vegas.  The most memorable visit to Arizona was a side trip to Phoenix, Arizona to watch my husband's beloved Detroit Redwings play.  It would be nice to take a side trip to explore Phoenix, do a bit of sightseeing so perhaps during our next Las Vegas vacation.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Wordless Wednesday - Evening Splendor

Evening Splendor

June 16, 2011

Garden Gnome

©2006-2011

The Media in the Casey Anthony Case

The media has turned into a lynch mob towards Casey Anthony, accused of killing her toddler base only on the bare minimum of circumstantial evidence.  One in particular, Nancy Grace is about as nauseating as you can get always referring to Casey as "tot mom".  What the heck.  I'm sorry, but she is being judge, jury and executioner and quite frankly she should be ashamed!  It is nothing more than sensationalism but really more like down right sickening.  The thing is at most Casey is a victim of sexual abuse and trying to protect her family including the possible coverup of her daughter's death.  For all we know either George or Lee abused little Caylee or decided to kill her to get rid of any possiblility of Casey being able to substantiate her claim of being sexually abused.  Yet Nancy Grace appears to be the end all, be all spokesperson for the lynch mob going after Casey.   She should be working for one of the rag mags like the Enquirer because she sure as heck does not how to report the fact of the news.  Here's hoping she never steps out of line or gets accused of doing something she didn't because Karma is a bitch!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Following Up On the Casey Anthony Trial

I started watching the Casey Anthony trial when we were on vacation.  Call me morbid but being a victim of murder, a mother and a grandmother as well as being well versed with the science involved, the trial caught my attention.  The prosecution has nothing more than circumstantial evidence against this young mother accused of killing her two and a half old daughter.  The problem is Casey herself is really a victim of her family.  The prosecution has not and cannot produce any evidence that this young mother killed her child.  The defense has not produced evidence of sexual abuse by her father, George Anthony since age 8 but they did bring in the fact that her brother Lee was tested to see if he was the father of little Caylee.  I listened to the DNA results and what the heck, the state has nothing, zippo, as in nothing not even DNA from a child being in the trunk of a car.  They don't even have DNA from the duct tape that was supposedly the murder weapon and that is DNA from Caylee and/or the murder.  The only DNA they found on the duct tape came from a lab technitician who contaminated the sample.  Come on!  Talk about shoddy science!  I'm not kidding either.  The evidence the defense is presenting is clearing showing the  prosecution is out to lunch. 

I have a few theories as to what happened to little Caylee, some of them a bit more plausible than others but consider first:

• Casey sold her child for a drug debt or other debt - Casey lost her job at Universal Studios.  She couldn't let her parents know so she sold her child.  
• Cindy Anthony  is covering for George Anthony - Casey implied that George has sexually abused her since age 8.  I'm sorry but Cindy would known about this abuse or suspected the abuse and yet chose not to say anything.  But the facts are there that there has been a history of sexual abuse in this family.
• Brother Lee might be the father of Caylee - The testing done said Lee wasn't even though he had sexually abused his sister Casey. Seeing Lee on the stand, the first thing that came to mind is he is definitely fabricating the story.
• Cindy Anthony is a narcissist - Talk about an overpowering figure but everything points to her not really caring about her daughter Casey and in fact there are reports of a huge power struggle between Cindy and Casey over the care of Caylee.
• George Anthony admits he saw Caylee drown - Now just give me a break!  He is a former police officer and a grandfather.  You mean he wouldn't know what to do in that event?  What is your first instinct if you saw you grandchild floating in a pool?  It would be to call 911! 

Casey Anthony was not a bad parent by all accounts.  She was battling with her mother Cindy who felt she needed complete control over Caylee yet she failed to protect her daughter Casey from sexual abuse by her husband George  and son Lee.  So Cindy really is not looking out for the best interests of Casey.  What I think happened is either George or Lee thought they were the father of Caylee, Casey threatened to tell the whole storey so George or Lee got rid of the evidence (aka Caylee a little two and half year old toddler) and Cindy true to form is covering up their mess while framing Casey.  There is no doubt in my mind that both Casey and little Caylee are victims of George, Lee and Cindy Anthony.  But then they were victims from the start!  My opinon...

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - Venting

I need to give a profound apology to those who may have read a very uncharacteristic rant that appeared briefly here last week.  I wrote the post and my settings are such that new posts go live at 7 AM.  When I realized that the nest day, I removed the post.  I was extremely stressed beyond being stressed so used a bit of terminology that I normally would not use.  The feelings are still there and I still way am beyond upset but you, the loyal reader of this blog did not need to read it.  I was venting, seriously venting.  The good thing is with the venting I didn't hit anyone, I didn't name any names other than the Premier of which there is no love lost between us, I just vented.  I didn't break or throw anything.  In fact, on the surface it looks very much that I'm dealing with what is going on without a problem.  Most would not even know anything is going on.  Everything appears to be rather normal to the outsider.  Venting is a blessing because everyone needs a way to lash out without causing harm.

Blogging is one way I can lash out, let it all hang out and not put on the 'everything is ok' face.  For those who read the original vent before I removed it, I stand behind everything I wrote.  If anything I was not harsh enough.  But anger and venting, while they serve a valued physiological purpose, add to the physical damages from stress. 

Yesterday was a wonderful day.  I took the internet outdoors, then did a bit of reading and took a bit of downtime.  Then I got out the knitting.  As I knitted I chuckled a little about how I used to equate knitting with polymerase during DNA replication.  Venting is a human emotion not a cellular function, really serving only a release and nothing more.  But venting is a blessing or at least is was for me.  I am really sorry my venting spilled over here.  It won't happen again.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Vivid Colours of Lake Mead

Vivid Colours of Lake Mead

May 11, 2011

The water of Lake Mead is a vivid deep blue tinged with aquamarine that is quite stunning against the reddish rock bordered with the paler bathtub ring of it's banks.  From the sky,  it is more of a deep navy blue.  It is quite impressive!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Looking Down the Hoover Dam

Looking Down the Hoover Dam

May 11, 2011

The Hoover Dam is a huge tourist attraction only 30 minutes from Las Vegas.  It is well worth visiting even if you don't take the tour.  The drive from Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam is beautiful, driving home there is no doubt you are in a desert.  We have yet to take one of the dam tours or flying over the dam but we visit almost every trip.  Standing on the dam and looking over is one of the most eerie, profound feelings I've experienced.  Definitely do not look over the dam if you have a fear of heights.  It surprises me that the wall over the dam preventing visitors from accidentally toppling over is not very high.  It's only hip level on me and I'm not very tall.  It ends right there too with nothing stopping visitors from sitting on the wall or preventing an accidental fall.  It is a magnificent view!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Lake Mead

Lake Mead

May 11, 2011

Lake Mead is located on the Colorado River about 30 mi (48 km) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada spanning into Arizona.  The lake was named after "Elwood Mead (1858–1936), who was the commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1924 to 1936 during the planning and construction of the Boulder Canyon Project that created the dam and lake".¹. It is the largest manmade lake in the United States, formed by water stored by the Hoover Dam.  It is part of the Boulder Dam Recreation Area later renamed the Lake Mead National Recreational Area in 1964.  The Hoover Dam is located where the Colorado River meets Lake Mead.

Water from snow melt in the Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah Rocky Mountains is the main source of water in Lake Mead.  The water level has been dropping since 1953 and is currently at 39 percent capacity.  The bathtub ring is clearly visible in the picture.  We were quite surprised at how low the water was.  We noticed the lower level even from the plane.  The declining water that threatens fresh water source in Las Vegas and surrounding are is noticeable in the casinos and rooms.  There are water conservation signs urging visitors to indicate if they want their sheets changed otherwise housekeeping with only make the bed.  They only change out towels that have been placed on the floor as towels replaced on the rack indicate the visitor will reuse them.  More of the resorts and casinos are using xeroscaping and artificial turf to reduce the amount of water needed for landscaping purposes.  We saw a lot less sprinklers in action.  The water in the many gorgeous indoor and outdoor fountains is recycled as well. 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Wordless Wednesday - Another View of the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge

Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge

May 11, 2011

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (Hoover Dam Bypass)

Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge  

(Hoover Dam Bypass)

May 11, 2011

During our stay in Las Vegas we took a side trip to the Hoover Dam.  There is a new bypass that was completed in October of 2010 spanning the dam.  The 1,900 foot bridge is the longest single-span concrete arch bridge in the western hemisphere.  After touring around the Hoover Dam we took a ride on the bypass.  It was very impressive!  You can't see a lot of the dam from the bridge though as it was constructed in such a manner to prevent cars stopping for sightseeing.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - My Husband's Eyes

Sometimes it takes a crisis to remind you to enjoy those little things that really matter the most.  There are a lot of things I love about my husband.  Like many spouses I take some of these things for granted.  If you have been following this blog you will know we were on vacation from May 8 to May 25 with an 18 hour stop over at home.  During that 18 hour period my husband had to go to emerg for an unexpected health problem.  We arrived home on the 25^th, he was back in emerg on the 27^th then admitted into hospital on the 29^th.  The last time he was this sick was back in 1980 when we were living in Edmonton.  He does not get sick other than an odd cold and even then it is not enough to knock him off of his feet. 

I have spent an aweful lot of time looking into my husband's eyes over the couple of weeks.  They are kind, gentle beautiful dark hazel eyes.  They sparkle with laughter lighting up his whole face.  They are the windows to his soul and my gosh, what a grand soul it is!  His eyes shows how much he loves and enjoys his family and life.  This past couple of weeks I saw questioning in those eyes and a bit of worry even though he was trying to hide it.  I saw a trust, not only in my medical sciences knowledge knowing I won't let anyone do anything to him that shouldn't be done but also knowing as a wife I will fight to the end for him.  He was so vulnerable and yet his eyes spoke volumes.  He's on the mend now thank goodness but is still undergoing a battery of medical tests.  I find myself looking directly into those gorgeous eyes to tell me what he is not saying.  May I have many, many more years looking into those eyes!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Casey Anthony

When we were down in Florida, I started watching the Casey Anthony case being tried in Orlando, Florida. This really is a sad case of a young mother charged with the murder of her two-year old daughter, Caylee. There is some speculation that the death was accidental then covered up by Casey's family.  The media has turned into a lynch mob already convicting her before all the evidence has been heard.  One thing that is coming to light is this was at some level a rather dysfunctional family.  I have been watching the live trial on HLN.  Honestly, I am going to hold back my take on the unfolding trial other than to say that I don't think she killed her little girl.  I do think she is a victim of her family though.  It was quite evident on the stand today when her brother was testifying that he was fabricating as he went although the media on their witch hunt claim he is a credible witness.  More to come on this...

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

The Roller Coaster at New York New York, Las Vegas

The Roller Coaster

(New York New York, Las Vegas)

May 10, 2011

We knew before arriving in Las Vegas that the Sahara Hotel & Casino would be closing during our stay.  The Sahara has been operating in Las Vegas since 1952.  Many of the casinos on the strip have attractions, some of which are free.  The Sahara Hotel & Casino had a lovely roller coaster that the guys wanted to take a ride on knowing they would not be able the next visit.  When we arrived at the Sahara, operations were pretty much shut down looking like a ghost town.  It was sad to see.  We couldn't get a player's card as a memento and the roller coaster was closed down.  I bought a drink at the bar to get a souvenir Sahara glass only to find out the almost bare gift shop was selling them two for $3. 

The guys were on a quest to find a roller coaster ride.  We stopped at New York New York on the strip where they were able to ride the roller coaster there.  This roller coaster rises 203 ft with a drop of 144 ft giving a coasting speed of 67 mph.  The heartline twist simulates a jet fighter's barrel roll.  The guys road the roller coaster twice!  The women being of sound mind kept their feet firmly planted on the ground. 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - Health Care

We arrived home from our spring vacation after being away from May 8 to 25 with about eighteen hours at home on the 14^th.  During our brief period at home between the two legs of our spring vacation my husband was seen in emerg.  He was again seen in emerg not a full two days after being home and again a day later when he was admitted to hospital.  We are so blessed to have adequate health care in Canada!  Despite some viewpoints, health care in Canada is not socialized.  Rather health care access is available to all but even that is a bit of a mis-statement as there are many under serviced areas in Canada.  Now access to health care does not mean you can afford the recommended prescriptions or treatment.  We experienced first hand just how much our health care has erroded.  Still when my husband needed the emergency help it was there.  Now we are going through the multitude of tests and the help is there.  So we are blessed, very blessed!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

My Husband's Health

Things are going at a slow crawl here and while I have plenty of great blog fodder, we have been dealing with my husband's health problems since arriving home from vacation on May 25. He was been hospitalized for a couple of those days. He saw his doctor today who ordered more tests. He had viral gastroenteritis contracted likely during the last day of our vacation in one of the airports. The ongoing problems have a tentative diagnosis that will either be confirmed or disproved by the new tests. He is feeling better. It appears the viral infection has pretty much run its course or at least the worst is over.  Now it is the issue of getting to the bottom of the new problems that have popped up.  Next week is riddled with medical appointments but that's ok as long as we find out what is going on. 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Spiderman

Spiderman

May 9, 2011

You just never know who you are going to meet on the Las Vegas strip or Fremont Steet.  Many of the rich and famous were out and about greeting visitors.  The Superheros were out as well.  I had a friendly chat with Spiderman.  He is every bit as handsome in real life as in the cartoons :)

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Water Funnels at City Center in Las Vegas

Water Funnels at City Center in Las Vegas

May 9, 2011

On the lower level in City Center in Las Vegas this is a wonderful piece of artwork rising from the floor.  It consists of various sized acrylic tubes.  Water is spun inside the tubes creating a vortex or water funnel within the tube.  The tubes are illuminated in various colours.  Some of the tubes are floor level giving the appearance they may pop up any time.  I thought it was quite ingenious!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

American Pie on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada

American Pie on the Canopy

May 15, 2011

There is a wonderfully amazing light show on the canopy over Fremont Street in Las Vegas with a different show on the hour from 8 PM to midnight.  What is even more impressive is these shows change quite often so unless you purposely watch the same one during a visit, it will likely be the only time you see that show.  We watched the American Pie light show the first night we were there.  As with all the light shows that are part of the Fremont Street Experience, this one was impressive to say the least!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - Vacation

We recently returned home safe and sound from our spring vacation that spanned from May 8 to 25 with a short 18 hr interval in between the two legs of our vacation.  The first part was spent in Las Vegas and the second at our vacation home in Florida.  Surprisingly it was less expensive to break up the trip than to do one trip with respect to flying.

It was a much needed vacation for both of us.  We went all out in Las Vegas so were exhausted and the brief stop at home didn't help but it was really a great time well spent with some of the best friends you could ever ask for.  Our luck was good there so we came home with a bit more than we went with.  Karma was on our side though.   The payoff was well worth it.  Our time spent at our vacation home was a bit laid back, sleeping late, sipping coffee and taking it easy.  A couple of our kids visited so the major attraction was Epcot at Disney World but other than that we really slowed down to the speed of life.  We managed to spend a couple of nights worth of entertainment with our musical friends (Ken Brady, et al) as well.  Both nights were incredible!

It seemed like we were in the airports and on planes a lot.  Flying to Las Vegas and the return trip was uneventful as was the flight to Tampa.  The return flight from Tampa wasn't a direct flight so we knew and were prepared for what was supposed to be a brief stop in Atlantic City without us deplanning.  When the pilot announced we were deplanning we knew that meant a delay.  The delay was due to the horrid storms going through where we would be landing.  The internet service in Atlantic City airport was about the closest thing to being out so we amused ourselves in a cute little restaurant.  Back on the plane three and a half hours later during which time I did not lose my cool once I edited a few pictures.  The pilot warned of bad turbulance but surprisingly the landing was rather decent given the adverse weather conditions. 

We are happy to be home but are already talking about our next vacation.  We are hoping to get down to our vacation home for a week during the summer but if not the fall plans are already in the works.  Our plans this year is to spend a total of three months at our vacation home so we still have a ways to go.  Vacations are wonderful breaks in the normal routine.  We are now at the age where longer vacations in warmer climates are a bit more appealing.  That's a good thing :)

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Gallery Row at Crystals in Las Vegas

Gallery Row at Crystals in Las Vegas

May 15, 2011

Las Vegas is all about the glitter, glamour and glitz of eye candy.  The new buildings constantly replacing older buildings are impressive to say the least.  They shimmer and shine in the sun with clouds creating the illusion of a changing facade.  They are massive buildings too.  Gallery Row at Crystals on Las Vegas Boulevard has a wonderfully impressive facade, beckoning visitors in to indulge in more eye candy.  Isn't it gorgeous?

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Buddha at the Aria Resort & Casino at City Center in Las Vegas

Buddha at Aria Resort & Casino

May 15, 2011

Many of the casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard aka the strip have gorgeous statues and fountains that visitors use to bring them a bit of good luck.  This buddha statue sits in the lobby of the Aria Resort & Casino.  It is sectioned off to prevent people from climbing on him for good luck and photo opportunities.  Not to be discouraged, visitors have taken to tossing coins at the buddha to bring good luck.  We each tossed a coin because when in Las Vegas a little extra good luck and karma is always appreciated.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

A Brief Break

We arrived home late last night from the last leg of our spring vacation that was spent partly in Las Vegas and the remainder at our vacation home in Florida.  We knew the return leg would involve a brief stopover in Atlantic City because we could not get a direct flight.  What we didn't expect was a three and a half hour delay for the connecting flight due to the extreme storms that were going through the area that would affect landing in Detroit.  On the heels of the devastation in Joplin, Missouri I for one did not mind the delay.  Our hearts go out to those in Joplin dealing with the tragic loss.  I'd rather arrive late but safe and sound. 

It was 93ºF when we left Florida arriving to 57ºF in Detroit.  We had to put the gas fireplace on to take off the chill in the house and we are back into winterwear.  My gosh the weather over the past few years just keeps getting worse, more violent and unpredictable.  I am exhausted today, happy to be home but tired.  Now it's time to get back into my normal routine, catch up on three weeks of Coronation Street and focus on getting the house sold.  It was wonderful to get away but good to be home.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Wordless Wednesday - Looking Down

Looking Down

May 15, 2011

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your blessing Sunday - 100 Years

Yesterday I posted about the sad news of my husband's Grandma passing.  She celebrated 100 years of life back in February.  I can't imagine what 100 years' of memories would be.  She lived  through two world wars, immigrated with her husband and kids from Holland to Canada then along with some of the kids immigrated to the US fracturing the family into the Canadians and the Americans, raised a family of thirteen, buried several of her kids and yet beyond everything never once wavered in her faith.  She remained a devote Catholic until the day she died.  She was an inspiration to all who knew her.  Honestly she could give you lessens in living frugally, her home not about things and acquisitions but rather about family, love and her faith. It saddens me to write about her passing but it was a life well lived with a wonderful legacy left for those behind.  I feel very, very blessed to have met and loved such a wonderful person.  A 100 years well lived!  How amazing is that?

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Sad News

Death never comes at an opportune time for those left behind.  See life gets in the way and those dealing with the death have to disrupt their schedules or plans, find babysitters and make travel arrangements.  If they are anything like us they may even have to buy funeral clothes.  We got the news of the passing of my husband's Grandma today.  This is really a funeral there are no excuses for not attending so it means we will be doing a bit of juggling but it is important for us to be there.  See my husband is the oldest grandchild, son of her oldest son who passed away a few years ago.  He is the keeper of his father's family so he has that responsibility.  It's more than responsibility though.  Her and Grandpa fully supported us when we decided to marry as teenagers.  They were the epitome of marital strength celebrating their 70^th Wedding Anniversary.  He passed away shortly after that celebration.  She celebrated her 100^th birthday in February.  We were unable to attend.  Sadly we will be make one final trip to celebrate a life well lived.  And what a life it was!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Can You Canoe?

Canoe Sculpture Outside the Aria

May 15, 2011

It is amazing what recycled otherwise useless items that would end up in a landfill can be used for.  One of the most impressive uses it the creation of a sculpture that in some ways becomes a social statement.  There is a wonderfully amazing sculpture outside of the Aria Casino in Las Vegas created from canoes.  In a desert location the presence of canoes is rather an oxymoron and yet it fits well with the general theme of Las Vegas being a city that shouldn't be.  The sculpture portraits so many underlying messages though.  I think it is quite fitting in the grand scheme of Las Vegas echoing some of the past and present concerns.  What a wonderful way to use items that would have ended up in a landfill!  The contrast between the old, used of the canoes and new, shiny of the casino is quite impressive.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Las Vegas a City Without a History

The Cosmopolitan

May 15, 2011

Las Vegas has to be one of the most amazing cities there ever was.  It is a city that should not be.  Ecologically it is a disaster.  It is a city without a history.  Well it does have a history, rich and colourful but any buildings depicting that history have been torn down to make room for newer, taller, bigger, glitzier casinos and motels.  The only thing remaining from some of these old casinos is with any luck the original neon signs that are slowly being restored for display along Fremont Street.  We have not been in Las Vegas during a casino implosion but we have seen several casinos go.

We stayed at Bob Stupak's Vegas World during our first visit to Las Vegas.  Shortly after it was demolished for the new Stratosphere.  I think it was the next trip we were able to visit the Sands Casino, home of The Rat Pack, for the last time.  It was imploded the same year to make way for the very impressive Bellagio Casino.  We had a routine were we always stopped at the Klondike casino, a cheap dive that most would be scared to sit on the seats, but it was always our first stop in Las Vegas.  They had 10 cent roulette, $1 blackjack and food that likely could show you views of Las Vegas you really didn't want to see.  The drinks were cheap but really drinks in Las Vegas are free if you are gambling anyway.  I think there were about 30 slot machines and that's it.  Yet is was our tradition to stop there.  The last trip we arrived to find the Klondike gone, without leaving so much as a sign, just an empty lot.  Gosh we miss that place!  We were there the year Frank Sinatra died and oh my gosh what a sight to see the strip go dark in his honour!  I think that was the last year for the Holiday Inn casino and the Westward Ho casino.  This year we were saddened to hear the Sahara Casino was slated to close on May 16.  We made one final trip there but it was almost as good as closed by then.  The guys didn't get a chance to ride the rollercoaster, the floor was practically bare, the shops were marked down to 50% off and the atmosphere was dismal.  I moseyed up to the bar to get a drink in a souvenir glass.  The next time we visit the Saraha Casino will likely be nothing more than an empty lot with the starts of a new casino being erected.

So it goes with Las Vegas.  The only place the history exists is in pictures and memories the media and tourists have.  It is a shame though because Las Vegas has such a rich history.  Oh sure there are a few small museums dedicated to the history of Las Vegas but historical buildings are gone, always being replaced for the new.  In some ways this is part of the attraction of Las Vegas!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Wordless Wednesday - The Shark Tank

The Shark Tank at Golden Nugget

May 15, 2011

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Airport Security

We have had the great pleasure of flying recently.  That means if you are really interested you can see me nakkid if you hack into the airport security.  I'm told the images are short lived and I should not be glowing in the dark.  Since I'm sleeping in the dark I doubt I will notice any glowing anyway but so far I have grown fangs or anything strange although I have noticed a few more grey hairs and wrinkles.  I'm not sure if they are due to the x-ray machine or not but suspect they are because I was firm and fit before walking through that scanner ;)  I'm not kidding after raising kids and a long term marriage I still looked like a 19 year old.  Ok and if you buy that one I have a bridge for sale.  I swear I have full title on it!

Anyway, airport security has tightened up and that's a good thing in my books.  What I don't understand is some folks simply don't want to comply with airport security.  It boggles my mind!  The TSA says all liquids under 3 oz need to be in a clear plastic zipper bag otherwise discard it.  Which part of 3 oz don't these people understand and when they have to dump the item they complain to high heaven and yet the rules are clearly spelled out.  Then there are the idiots who can't understand the simple command "seat belts on when seated". Apparently that is some skin off their nose so they just don't have to wear their seat belts.  These very same people will use electronic devices when they aren't supposed to because they are 'special'.  The rules just don't apply to them.  I honestly would like to slap these folks and I'm not kidding.  They show a lack of respect for the airline and their inconsiderate actions takes the attention from the safety of the aircraft over to their self-centred nonsense.  Here's a flipping clue - if you don't want to conform to the rules of flying DON'T FLY!  Do everyone a favour and find another mode of transportation.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

The Pigeon on Fremont Street

The Pigeon on Fremont Street

May 9, 2011

Walking down Fremont Street under the canopy in Las Vegas, I marveled at how much things had changed since our last visit.  The Plaza at the end of Fremont Street was closed and under construction.  A ride had been added near the other end allowing those brave enough to be suspended from a cable to ride along a portion of the canopy above the crowds.  Neonopolis on the east end of the canopy is virtually a ghost town.  All the little shops are closed up, the courtyard empty with the exception of transients.  The ideal of convincing families that Las Vegas is a great place for a family vacation appears to have disappeared.  The Golden Gate now has scantily clad dancers inside on mini stages between the tables and outside on the bar.  Wandering around Fremont Street are a multitude of the famous like Marilyn Monroe, Mike Myers and Michael Jackson.  Yours truly even had her picture taken with Beetlejuice!  Pigeons seemed to have full reign of the street, happily walking along with the tourists stopping to pick up whatever morsels they could.  A striking difference was the large number of transients and homeless on Fremont Street.

They provide a striking contrast to the merry making tourists.  In the past they had been strongly discouraged from loitering on Fremont Street with security pushing them to the side streets away from the canopy.  The reason for this was a combination of public safety and to prevent them from begging mainly to support their drug and alcohol addictions as well as solicitation.  There was a quiet form of begging as well as one organization asking for donations to help the homeless.  Blatant begging will draw attention of security who keep a rather close eye on the transients, always ready to move them away from the canopy.  The casinos on Fremont Street won't tolerate them inside at all.  When we first started going to Las Vegas I was shocked at the homelessness but now I have come to realize that this is a chosen lifestyle for many of them.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your blessing Sunday - Resilience

I have to admit when I first started out on line over 20 years ago I was a newbie.  I let things bother me and I took things to heart.  Fast forward to now and I'm a seasoned online user in several mediums.  I've been a member of a particular online group for a number of years.   One particular member has decided to make me his punching bag.  Now the beauty of any troll type messages as long as you don't respond they have no idea if their comments ever hit the mark.  A couple of days ago, he decided to send yet another nasty message off list of course so I decided I had had enough.  If you are going to make a response, make it big so I did.  I honestly could never have survived what I have without developing a bit of resilience.  If some nameless person thinks they are going to be able to take me down by bombarding me with nasty emails all I can say is good luck.  It's not going to happen because I have a very well developed resilience that serves me quite nicely.  Resilience is a blessing!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blogger Outage

My apologies.  Due to the recent Blogger outage, you have likely seen a few strange things going on with the blog.  All posts made after Wednesday, May 11 at 7:37 AM were temporarily removed due to a Blogger maintenance issue.  They were slowly being restored this morning so by now all should be back to normal.  In the meantime you may have seen a post then the post was missing then it reappeared.  Normal posting on this blog will resume as soon as the Blogger platform becomes stable again which I suspect will not be long.  Blogger never goes down for this length of time so I'm sure it has been as frustrating for them as it has been for bloggers. At any rate it looks like things are starting to work properly so we shall see...

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

A Bit Off Track

I am a bit off track with blogging so need to get my blogging mojo back.  It's time to find a bit of blog fodder for this blog to get the posts going again.  Now where shall I look?  I have a couple of ideas.  Perhaps there will be a couple of good emails to share from my email file.  Oh and the telemarketers also provide a bit of comic relief. Off to find blog fodder...

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day so first off to all the Moms out there Happy Mother's Day.  Oh gosh, today is one of those bittersweet days.  My biological Mom died shortly after I was born and my foster Mom in 1989.  For some reason I am extremely nostalgic this year.  I would love for my Mom, the one who gave birth to me to see what I have become.  I'd love to hear her voice.  I never heard it that I can remember so I wonder if I sound like her.   I know I look like her side but I wonder about the manerisms I have even though I've been told I'm so much like her.   I'd love her to see that despite everything, I'm ok. I'd love her to get to know the beautiful little grandchildren who have come into our lives, her great grandchildren.    I'm sure she is looking down from above and seeing all is well perhaps putting in a helping hand from time to time.  I tell you we can always use a helping hand from and angel above.

Right now though I am really missing the Mom who raised me.  This Mom taught me all the values and gave me the skills to survive all of what life can toss my way.  She taught me to laugh, stay strong in the face of adversity and never give up.  She taught me that the world can be mean and cruel, sometimes you have to be an ornery bitch at times but for the most part the world is a wonderful and loving place to be, to embrace the good and tolerate the bad if need be.  She taught me that failure is not an option, a B instead of an A is never an option and performance at the drop of a hat is key.  Perfection ruled!  Hugs were not the norm but that twinkle in her eyes said all I needed.  There have been days that oh my God, I never thought I could get through but I somehow did (RIP GMT 1960-1995) and it is because of this Mom that I was able to.  I am a stronger person because of this Mom and oh my gosh, I miss her so very, very much!  If I could have just one day back to share with her...just one day....I love you so much Mom.

Now I would be very remise in the uncharactistic sentimental blog post to not mention my mother-in-law.  I don't think she really liked me all that much at first but hey I took away her oldest while knowing nothing about being a wife.  She became in every meaning of the word my Mom.   Other folks talk about how they don't like their MIL but I liked mine.  I respected her, her opinions and her values.  She taught me how to cook the dishes her son now my husband loved so much.  She taught me the basics of canning.  She was there for us and continued to support us no matter what and I'm sure we did a few things she did not approve of but she was never judgemental.  I would love to have her see our kids now, one who is the spitting image of her and the grandkids, her greatgrandkids.  She seriously would get such a hoot of of the grandkids.  I can see her up there in heaven chuckling at their antics!  Actually it wouldn't be a chuckle it would be an all out heartly laugh enjoying them to their fullest the very way she lived her life. 

I proudly wear my tulips for all three Moms today.

In memorium DBL 1941-1961
In memorium HMR 1903-1989
In memorium MAV 1938-1989

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011