Freedom;= independence, liberty, ease of movement, a right.
AS we celebrate July 4th with family picnics, parades, and fireworks.
Having a three day week end is always a bonus. Let's enjoy our freedom the many men and women who died to save you and me.
Harry and I have been so blessed to have the right of ease of movement to travel this great America. America for spacious sky and amber waves of grains. Purple mountains majesty above the fruited plains, and from sea to shinning sea.
Along our way we have paid our respect to George Washington the Father of country who led the many Americans in the Revolutionary war. He lays resting in Mount Vernon, Virgina. His home built on a hill while the Potomac river proudly babbles down stream. Sit on the many white wooden rocking chairs place over his back lawn. Close your eyes and let your mind wander back to the carefree days of America's innocence. The gathering of family in their Sunday best. No short shorts, no pants hanging to the knees, in fact nothing is bared. You have pride in your appearance and morals. The only thing fresh was game smoking in the smoke house.
While in Sumter, South Carolina,we have visited the many sites of the battles of the civil war. The many many battles were American rights were engaged to keep our freedom. This battle was between the states the north and south. Not just about slavery but about the states right. Chickamauga Ga. take a slow walk through the
civil history. Read and learn. Our ancestors fought many battles for our constitutional rights.
Pearl Harbor Dec 7th a Sunday a perfect day in paradise. Men, women, children, service men, naval nurses, going about their daily routine.Who knew this was the day that Japan plan to try to demise our sailors and naval fleet.We know the story. Japan choose to bomb Pearl Harbor. So many innocents died that day in paradise.
Our visit to Arlington National Cemetery standing at the foot of the Unknown Solider. The many rows of white crosses with a name of people who fought for my freedom. The many names of brave men and women on the wall of the Viet Nam war. Lest not forget the Korean conflict, War World I.
I do hope to visit ground zero. In fact this 4th my brother is paying his respect to those who never knew their fate that sunny glorious day given from the heavens above.
Remember to fly your American Flag daily. Showing your true colors of red white and blue, will give your spirit inner peace that all men are born equal and that all men are born FREE.
I am truly blessed having a wealth of knowledge, riches of family, grandchildren, friends, living in my golden years with sliver hair.
Happy fourth again have a fun day.
Be safe
Juju
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
April 24
Oh my I can not believe I have not made a post since Feb. Let me try and catch you up. First Harry and I have decided to stay put this summer. A few reasons, we missed our grandson ball games and all star games. My parents are healthy but are getting up in years. With that said I feel the need to stay home for awhile.
Cody has games on MON and WED. evenings. He plays catcher and is awesome. He also beginning practice for all stars. Ryan is not playing sports this summer. However he and friends on Saturdays play paint ball. Just a few weeks back Galveston hosted a professional paint ball tournament. According to Ryan several well known players took to the field. I was totally out of the loop didn't know any of them. This is a expensive game but he has lots of fun.
We meet up with a some friends a few weeks back. They are camping buddies we made a day at Kemah Boardwalk We are trying to plan a trip for Sept 2012 to Priest Gulch Co. About 8 of us made the trip a few years back and the fun we had. Lots of fishing, long drives on very narrow roads that wind up and around the mountains. Higher you get the colder and of course the air gets thinner.
Well let me get back to the present. Besides baseball we have a busy summer. Gonna make a trip to Houma my cousin granddaughter 1st birthday. Ms Sophie such cutie big dark brown eyes. A smile as large as Texas. Of course her honey keeps her dressed so sweet. In fact I don't think she has worn an out fit twice. Then we will visit with Carla and Chester they have built a dream retirement home in Livingston. Just a few miles up hwy. 146 but still closed enough to their grandchildren . We also get together for our bunko games. Yep us 12 we all go way back, kids in softball, band, football, and much more. The sassy sisters will be having a girls night out in Houston. Janie has a birthday in May so what better way to celebrate. I can you a sure wine, martinis, PF Chang, shopping, and massage is on the agenda.
Then the Saturdays will be at baseball all stars games. Sitting in the hot Texas sun being fried to a crisp and then melting in the blistering heat. Believe me I'm not, complain I'm bragging my grandson is awesome.
Our Easter was GRRRRREAT. Lisa and Janie came in which is always a treat in it self. We all began with watching Drake baseball game Thursday evening..He plays first base and pitches. They did lose the game but he had the largest fan section. Aunts,uncles, grandparents, cousins, sister, mom and dad just to name a few. Friday I made breakfast for a lucky few who were at moms. Big batch of gravy and homemade biscuits. The pan was licked clean and not one crumb on the biscuit pan. I got a new hair color.
Saturday the tradition of dying eggs and our craw fish boil. The kids had such fun looking for the hidden eggs, and we had a bouncy for them, they could fish and feed the horse's. So lots to keep the kid O busy.
Sunday dressed in our new Spring clothes we went to Easter service. For HE HAS RISEN we had an guest preacher. So after services I promised Harry fried shrimp and that's what he got. I gave up fried food for lent. So my man was so ready for something greasy. Homemade fried shrimp oven baked fries. YUMMY
My friends it is late and I have a busy Monday so I shall night.
Be safe
Juju
Cody has games on MON and WED. evenings. He plays catcher and is awesome. He also beginning practice for all stars. Ryan is not playing sports this summer. However he and friends on Saturdays play paint ball. Just a few weeks back Galveston hosted a professional paint ball tournament. According to Ryan several well known players took to the field. I was totally out of the loop didn't know any of them. This is a expensive game but he has lots of fun.
We meet up with a some friends a few weeks back. They are camping buddies we made a day at Kemah Boardwalk We are trying to plan a trip for Sept 2012 to Priest Gulch Co. About 8 of us made the trip a few years back and the fun we had. Lots of fishing, long drives on very narrow roads that wind up and around the mountains. Higher you get the colder and of course the air gets thinner.
Well let me get back to the present. Besides baseball we have a busy summer. Gonna make a trip to Houma my cousin granddaughter 1st birthday. Ms Sophie such cutie big dark brown eyes. A smile as large as Texas. Of course her honey keeps her dressed so sweet. In fact I don't think she has worn an out fit twice. Then we will visit with Carla and Chester they have built a dream retirement home in Livingston. Just a few miles up hwy. 146 but still closed enough to their grandchildren . We also get together for our bunko games. Yep us 12 we all go way back, kids in softball, band, football, and much more. The sassy sisters will be having a girls night out in Houston. Janie has a birthday in May so what better way to celebrate. I can you a sure wine, martinis, PF Chang, shopping, and massage is on the agenda.
Then the Saturdays will be at baseball all stars games. Sitting in the hot Texas sun being fried to a crisp and then melting in the blistering heat. Believe me I'm not, complain I'm bragging my grandson is awesome.
Our Easter was GRRRRREAT. Lisa and Janie came in which is always a treat in it self. We all began with watching Drake baseball game Thursday evening..He plays first base and pitches. They did lose the game but he had the largest fan section. Aunts,uncles, grandparents, cousins, sister, mom and dad just to name a few. Friday I made breakfast for a lucky few who were at moms. Big batch of gravy and homemade biscuits. The pan was licked clean and not one crumb on the biscuit pan. I got a new hair color.
Saturday the tradition of dying eggs and our craw fish boil. The kids had such fun looking for the hidden eggs, and we had a bouncy for them, they could fish and feed the horse's. So lots to keep the kid O busy.
Sunday dressed in our new Spring clothes we went to Easter service. For HE HAS RISEN we had an guest preacher. So after services I promised Harry fried shrimp and that's what he got. I gave up fried food for lent. So my man was so ready for something greasy. Homemade fried shrimp oven baked fries. YUMMY
My friends it is late and I have a busy Monday so I shall night.
Be safe
Juju
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Feb. 26 2011
Hello. Just a short chat to catch you up. Our daughter came in for the weekend. So, we've been doing the family thing. We all meet at a local Mexican restaurant Friday evening for dinner. We have a large family only a few [12] were able to make dinner. Always fun to sit eat and be merry with your family. Takes you back to Sunday dinners at grandmas.
Saturday we made our way to the island to celebrate 100 years of Mardi Gras.This is the first weekend of parades. We have had good weather the last few weeks and everyone is ready to get outside and play. What better way than to have a street party. The prime real estate along the beach is staked out days in advance. People parked their RV'S, large trucks, cars and trailer beds with BBQ pits along the parade route.The noon parade heads down the seawall with 60 floats,the many white convertible cars carrying the King and Queen, preceded with the Queens court, marching high school bands, pep squads. The impatiently crowd standing shoulder to shoulder lined both sides the seawall. As the sirens get closer and the motor cops clear the streets you hear the chants, throw me something Mister. The revelers stretch their arms to catch that precious 99 cent beads. These cheap strands of plastic beads not made in America make people crazy. All the kids waving their hands in the air. Scramble to the ground to snatch up the throws. All to soon the street sweepers show up and you know the party is over. I do want to brag on the crowd. Very well behaved. No rowdiness all polite and fun.
We did not do to shabby collecting made in China trinkets. A fun afternoon with grand kids. We decided Mario's Pizza was needed to fuel our tummy's. A lot of hard work catching beads.
Tomorrow being Sunday we shall all go to church and spend the day together.
And with that said I must get ready for bed. Good night neighbors.
XOXOX
Juju
Saturday we made our way to the island to celebrate 100 years of Mardi Gras.This is the first weekend of parades. We have had good weather the last few weeks and everyone is ready to get outside and play. What better way than to have a street party. The prime real estate along the beach is staked out days in advance. People parked their RV'S, large trucks, cars and trailer beds with BBQ pits along the parade route.The noon parade heads down the seawall with 60 floats,the many white convertible cars carrying the King and Queen, preceded with the Queens court, marching high school bands, pep squads. The impatiently crowd standing shoulder to shoulder lined both sides the seawall. As the sirens get closer and the motor cops clear the streets you hear the chants, throw me something Mister. The revelers stretch their arms to catch that precious 99 cent beads. These cheap strands of plastic beads not made in America make people crazy. All the kids waving their hands in the air. Scramble to the ground to snatch up the throws. All to soon the street sweepers show up and you know the party is over. I do want to brag on the crowd. Very well behaved. No rowdiness all polite and fun.
We did not do to shabby collecting made in China trinkets. A fun afternoon with grand kids. We decided Mario's Pizza was needed to fuel our tummy's. A lot of hard work catching beads.
Tomorrow being Sunday we shall all go to church and spend the day together.
And with that said I must get ready for bed. Good night neighbors.
XOXOX
Juju
Monday, February 7, 2011
Feb 7 2011
Good Morning friends. Have you thawed out. Don't happen often for the deep south to become a deep freeze. For about three days we had temps in the teens. Galveston the tropical island a little warmer at 25 to 27. Now the kiddo's were happy they got 2 days off. Waiting for the predicted snow. Snow never got this far south but oh the ice did make it. The roof tops covered with a sleek sheen of ice. Tree branches sparkle with a thin coat of ice. However as pretty as the shinny layers of ice, the roadways very dangerous. Many roads had to be closed because of the hazards condition. So Tex dot very busy. Parts of the Island lost power for several hours. The news channels preempted all programs so they could give us up to the minute coverage of the winter arctic blast. You got to love the little darlings. I suppose they need overtime money. When the snow did not come listening to them crawfish their way out was very humorous.
Have not had a chance to chat with our friends in the valley. One couple from Iowa I know is totally caught off guard with the freezing temps. Duffy does not like the cold. His plan was to go as far south where no snow shovels are sold. Time to pack up and keep heading south.
How bout them Packers. I did not have a preference who won the game. Watching those cheese heads now that's entertaining. Of course the commercials are the top reason to watch the game. I did not find the commercials funny. Now the kid as Darth Vader was cute as the Coke commercials. Always next year...
Chatted with my cajun cousin last night. She is getting everything ready for her Mardi Gras annual ride. Her float rolls March 4th. Her Krew is Aphrodite they have 16 floats and this year she will be at the back of line float 16.She will begin the cylce of rotating forward. Meaning she will have to buy lots of throws to last the parade route. All the revelry shouting throw me something mister. After the parade they have a bash back at the the den. The bash lots of yummy authentic cajun food and the every fun zydeco music. Yes dancing the night away now that's a party. Parades every day for two weeks. All the festivities and carnival spirit of the season will stay with you a lifetime. Liaz Les Bon Temp Rue la.
George Mitchel brought Mardi Gras back to the Galveston some 30 years ago. I have been to many and had lots of fun. However the police have no crowd control. No fault to them just too many people in a small area of the island.They are very under paid for what they have to deal with. The last few years we went very scary. My opinion; a ticking time bombing, a riot waiting to happen. Lots of crazy people.
The Mardi Gras bug has infected Texas City with the first annual Mardi Gras Gala. Sponsored by the Rotary club. This club fundraiser we will not be going.
Houston is gearing up for the Houston Livestock Rodeo. About a two week hoot nannie event. Dress up in your best duds of fringe cowboy shirts and 2 inch high "sh#t" kicking boots and tight fitting jeans. Take to the dance floor showing off your Texas two step and waltz.
Texas size parade, cowboys riding high in the saddle with their chaps, spurs, and ten gallon hats. Tagging behind the chuck wagons, rodeo clowns, and local marching bands is a crowd pleaser.
When all the dust settles you head over to old dome parking lot for the worlds best BBQ. Hundreds of teams compete for the first place trophy. Ya'll can mosey down and get ya some grub fixin. Don't pass any beans.
Ya'll come back to my next blog you here.
Juju
Have not had a chance to chat with our friends in the valley. One couple from Iowa I know is totally caught off guard with the freezing temps. Duffy does not like the cold. His plan was to go as far south where no snow shovels are sold. Time to pack up and keep heading south.
How bout them Packers. I did not have a preference who won the game. Watching those cheese heads now that's entertaining. Of course the commercials are the top reason to watch the game. I did not find the commercials funny. Now the kid as Darth Vader was cute as the Coke commercials. Always next year...
Chatted with my cajun cousin last night. She is getting everything ready for her Mardi Gras annual ride. Her float rolls March 4th. Her Krew is Aphrodite they have 16 floats and this year she will be at the back of line float 16.She will begin the cylce of rotating forward. Meaning she will have to buy lots of throws to last the parade route. All the revelry shouting throw me something mister. After the parade they have a bash back at the the den. The bash lots of yummy authentic cajun food and the every fun zydeco music. Yes dancing the night away now that's a party. Parades every day for two weeks. All the festivities and carnival spirit of the season will stay with you a lifetime. Liaz Les Bon Temp Rue la.
George Mitchel brought Mardi Gras back to the Galveston some 30 years ago. I have been to many and had lots of fun. However the police have no crowd control. No fault to them just too many people in a small area of the island.They are very under paid for what they have to deal with. The last few years we went very scary. My opinion; a ticking time bombing, a riot waiting to happen. Lots of crazy people.
The Mardi Gras bug has infected Texas City with the first annual Mardi Gras Gala. Sponsored by the Rotary club. This club fundraiser we will not be going.
Houston is gearing up for the Houston Livestock Rodeo. About a two week hoot nannie event. Dress up in your best duds of fringe cowboy shirts and 2 inch high "sh#t" kicking boots and tight fitting jeans. Take to the dance floor showing off your Texas two step and waltz.
Texas size parade, cowboys riding high in the saddle with their chaps, spurs, and ten gallon hats. Tagging behind the chuck wagons, rodeo clowns, and local marching bands is a crowd pleaser.
When all the dust settles you head over to old dome parking lot for the worlds best BBQ. Hundreds of teams compete for the first place trophy. Ya'll can mosey down and get ya some grub fixin. Don't pass any beans.
Ya'll come back to my next blog you here.
Juju
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Brrrrrrrrr
Yep Texas is under a winter warning. The Arctic blast has reached the gulf coast. Galveston temp is about 25. a wind chill of 10. Every 20 minutes we are getting weather updates. A few rolling black out of power outages, to help keep up the power grind, roadways and Hobby airport closing. Not to worry Harry and I have planned for this type of emergency. In case of frost bite we have agreed to give a flick to the body part affected. After all we have out lived that part, and no need to carry the dead weight. Now now don't laugh that's the easiest way to drop 10 to 15 pounds.
Hawaii was awesome. So happy we were able to go and spend our 41st annv. on the island. Our condo was just perfect. We had all beach gear for snorkeling, ice chest, chairs umbrellas, towels. A full kitchen fully stocked for a gourmet dinner. Entertainment systems living and bedroom. Our Lanai [patio] just off the bedroom overlooking the crystal emerald waters of the pacific. We spent endless hours watching the 10 to 15 feet waves rush the shorelines, green sea turtles and the ever so famous whales. Oh yes we believe a family of humpback were the stars of our private beach resort. Each day as we spotted these over sized mammals at a distance. We were incredibly impressed at their constant breaching, blowing, and flipping their huge fin in the sparkling waters. A few times we would see a tour boat try to catch up to the whales for a photo op but to no avail the sneaky fish would dive deep. After all they are on vacation Dec. to Mar.
The large sea turtles not there everyday but when out was such a joy to see them so close to the shore and so accepting of people. You should beware that right at the shoreline waves might send them crashing into your shin. You'll laugh yourself silly watching the men scream like girls.
Our beach Makaha Beach rarely crowded, just local tenants and guest. Wide white sand for parking yourself for an afternoon of sunbathing, reading your favorite novel ,afternoon nap and people watching. Many enjoy the variety of water sports. If the surf is small, makes for a nice long ride on a boogie board. If the surf is up then grab your surf board head out to catch that perfect wave. As the waves forms the every popular pipeline, surfers line up taking their turn to catch the ride on the wave. Canoe is also popular water sport. Me, just too much work paddling and trying to stay balance in a tiny light narrow shaped boat. I did try body surfing. The pounding waves can make good for body surfing, but they just pound the living daylights out of me. The darn waves knocked me off my feet then tried several times to wash me out to sea. Harry tried to grab me and to no avail I was heading out to the Pacific. Long story short I was finally able to get to my feet with the help of some bystanders. It's OK to laugh. Now people watching is my thang. My oh my! Amazing swimwear that is available. Lets chat about the one size fits all, or the ever popular thong that's just the men. Then you have the women who want to strut their too much stuff. I thought I had seen it all at Galveston Mardi Gras.
The nightly sunsets, my friends you just have to see them. Believe me I did not miss one. Something about the sun slowly disappearing at days end can give you a spiritual calming. The local residents would gather every evening giving a farwell to the sunsets. In the Hawaiian tradition of blowing in the seashell. This long standing custom past down many years will surely give you goosebumps.
We were able to see and do all we wanted in our two week stay. I look forward to returning to paradise.
Aloha my Friends
Juju
Hawaii was awesome. So happy we were able to go and spend our 41st annv. on the island. Our condo was just perfect. We had all beach gear for snorkeling, ice chest, chairs umbrellas, towels. A full kitchen fully stocked for a gourmet dinner. Entertainment systems living and bedroom. Our Lanai [patio] just off the bedroom overlooking the crystal emerald waters of the pacific. We spent endless hours watching the 10 to 15 feet waves rush the shorelines, green sea turtles and the ever so famous whales. Oh yes we believe a family of humpback were the stars of our private beach resort. Each day as we spotted these over sized mammals at a distance. We were incredibly impressed at their constant breaching, blowing, and flipping their huge fin in the sparkling waters. A few times we would see a tour boat try to catch up to the whales for a photo op but to no avail the sneaky fish would dive deep. After all they are on vacation Dec. to Mar.
The large sea turtles not there everyday but when out was such a joy to see them so close to the shore and so accepting of people. You should beware that right at the shoreline waves might send them crashing into your shin. You'll laugh yourself silly watching the men scream like girls.
Our beach Makaha Beach rarely crowded, just local tenants and guest. Wide white sand for parking yourself for an afternoon of sunbathing, reading your favorite novel ,afternoon nap and people watching. Many enjoy the variety of water sports. If the surf is small, makes for a nice long ride on a boogie board. If the surf is up then grab your surf board head out to catch that perfect wave. As the waves forms the every popular pipeline, surfers line up taking their turn to catch the ride on the wave. Canoe is also popular water sport. Me, just too much work paddling and trying to stay balance in a tiny light narrow shaped boat. I did try body surfing. The pounding waves can make good for body surfing, but they just pound the living daylights out of me. The darn waves knocked me off my feet then tried several times to wash me out to sea. Harry tried to grab me and to no avail I was heading out to the Pacific. Long story short I was finally able to get to my feet with the help of some bystanders. It's OK to laugh. Now people watching is my thang. My oh my! Amazing swimwear that is available. Lets chat about the one size fits all, or the ever popular thong that's just the men. Then you have the women who want to strut their too much stuff. I thought I had seen it all at Galveston Mardi Gras.
The nightly sunsets, my friends you just have to see them. Believe me I did not miss one. Something about the sun slowly disappearing at days end can give you a spiritual calming. The local residents would gather every evening giving a farwell to the sunsets. In the Hawaiian tradition of blowing in the seashell. This long standing custom past down many years will surely give you goosebumps.
We were able to see and do all we wanted in our two week stay. I look forward to returning to paradise.
Aloha my Friends
Juju
Monday, January 10, 2011
PARIDISE COVE LUAU
Enjoying the luau.
Juju arriving at the luau.
Look close and see the submarine in the distance.
Juju doing what she does best.
Hula Dancers
Friday, January 7, 2011
ALOHA
BEACH IN FRONT OF OUR CONDO
NORTH SHORE
DOLE PLANTATION
SUN SET FROM OUR LANAI
ARIZONA MEMORIAL
We watched the surfers on the pipeline trying to catch the perfect wave. The waves 12 to 15 feet. The surfers flew through the air like birds, dancing on the waves, showing off their skilled acrobatics. The crowds on the beach cheer each one on and never disappointed with their talents.
Pearl Harbor is not just a Memorial it is a cemetery. As you pay your respects you can't help but notice how some people are disrespectful. It is so difficult to understand the magnitude of destruction. A normal Sunday morning not knowing all Hell will break loose. All Americans knows the history of December 7th the day that will live in infamy. We have sent many men and women to the front lines of harms way. I wonder if I am appreciating the life that the soldiers are so willing to sacrifice for me. The privileges of freedom a selfless act of a true solider.
The Dole plantation is in the midst of paradise and one might think you have arrived in the Garden of Eden. So many tropical plants, the perfume of the flowers give your scents a relaxation of a true night slumber. We shared a pineapple float and fresh pineapple slices fresh from the field. Sweet, juicy, and just plan delicious. OMG to die for. The world being so mobile we are able to get the same tasty treat at your local Kroger's, Safeway. You should have a serving of fruit everyday.
Waikiki is a very busy tourist town. We drove the Hawaii's version of the Rodeo drive. The Gucci's, Coach, Ralph Lauren, etc. everything you would want. We just kept on driving. No need to let someone get rich from my money. The best about Waikiki I can say is been there done that!!!!
We drove the north shore of the island and ate at one of the local lunch wagons. Harry got the shrimp scampi and I got the spicy shrimp. Yummy but oh so very very hot. Yep almost to hot for me. A tourist from Japan got the same plate as I and his first bite brought tears to his eyes, and the surprise on his face was totally worth the drive over to the beach. Priceless!!!
Diamond head a very long hike and lots of stairs to climb. The view from the top is truly spectacular. Too bad I could not take the climb. I know I have a new knee, but it does give out on 3 sets of 90 plus steps.
Lets talk beach. Your feet sink into the light sand. Trying to walk is fun but you can loose your footing. This being winter for Hawaii the waves are huge and fierce. I had such a wipe out in the water. I have decide to plant my butt on the sandy shore and soak in the Hawaiian rays. Much safer than the water. Harry being a good swimmer he has a little difficulty. More fun watching the locals surfers and the children play. At sunset the residents of the condo gather to say farewell to the days end and in Hawaiian tradition of blowing the conch shells. A true Hawaiian art.
We still have much more to do and see. I shall update again.
Be safe.
Juju
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