A day of memories for those in the military who fought, died and survived serving their country. We also remember those from other countries who fought beside our countrymen and women. We shouldn't forget the many civilians either. I have made no secret that I have been around the military since I was a little girl. I hold all of my love for my family members in the military as well as the many friends I have known over the years.

Each year I gather with others to mourn for those who died and say thank you to those who came home safely. Some of those men and women did not come home in one piece, but they did come home. They are reminded of their sacrifice each day that they look in the mirror. That in itself is a hard road to walk.

Today we gathered at the beach for a solemn remembrance. One man (I did not know) spoke of his family members who were at Normandy. The stories of history passed on down to him are words one should never forget. Much like the words I heard when my brother spoke of Viet Nam. When the quiet spoken man was done talking about that monumental historical day in France, it was hard not to look down the beach and not think of the thousands upon thousands of men who laid down their life for freedom.

When I looked at the calm and serene atmosphere, I wondered if the people were thinking of their freedom?


Did they think of how chaotic and frightening this beach was when our men and allies came under fire on this 5 mile stretch of beach in France?


I wanted to leave some words for those strolling along the California sand.....something to think about. I watched as they walked by and read the words and I hoped they began thinking of those who do their best to keep them safe.


These are my footprints left behind on the beach. They are a brief memory of where I was on this day. These are mine and I smile because the memory is of me on a peaceful day.


The many boot prints left behind by all of our military are from days that were meant to help those who needed them. Those who wear the boots have a job to do and that job is not something that is 9 to 5. The citizens of the world should remember all of the boot prints that were left behind because they signify freedom.
Freedom comes with a price. A pair of boots cost $159 and at times, they lose their life because of the boots they wear. The boots are all that is left for their fellow brothers and sisters to remember them by. The boots signify that they marched together arm in arm for a call that they answered.

[img]http://media.dma.mil/2010/Nov/13/253276/600/400/0/101113-M-9453M-008.jpg[/img]


To my brother and the boots he wore, he will always be remembered by a little girl who thought he hung the moon.

The Searchers; Sons of the Pioneers.
"A man will search his heart and soul
Go searchin' way out there
His peace of mind he knows he'll find
But where, oh Lord, Lord where?
Ride away, ride away, ride away"

I was in Alamo, Nevada last weekend and stayed in a very quaint log Cabin. I arrived in the dark, so I didn't see much around me. I woke up at 0430 and as soon as the sun burst through the clouds I opened the door. My very first thought was that of John Wayne and the opening to the movie "The Searchers" John Wayne's silhouette is striking and very strong. So of course, what is more fitting in a Western Blog but an ode to John Wayne.


I actually said out loud "I'm burning daylight"...lol. Being raised partly in Texas and around a Mother who still had her twang, you pic up some lingo....tee hee. I not only have ball gowns for the California world that I live in, but I also have Ropers, Rockies and my Stetson. I headed out for my hike in the Alamo Valley to search for some cattle. I found a crest to look down but couldn't find anything.


After my futile search or long lost cattle, it was time to hit the chuck wagon and order up some fresh beef and pan fried beans. I do have to dress appropriately and out here Prairie skirts are good for more than square dancing, they also can he worn for sitting under the stars and flirting with the Ranch Hands.


Now if you are wondering what I wear under my skirt, well you would be correct.......red lace bloomers.


It has been a long day on the prairie searching for cows, hanging out on the ranch and teasing the Cowboys. So what is the best way to relax out in the country? You know it......a bubble bath.


I'm glad that you could mozie on over to my blog. It's time for me to head on to the bunk house and go to sleep.

I hope that you took the time to view the other players.

VTCali, guitartxn, mrsUnderDog59, undisclosedid1, DJSwing, QTMITME, Jener.

Today I drove 90 minutes to Caliente, NV. What a wonderful sleepy little town. I started to giggle because off to the side as you drive in, is one horse in the field....lol. Yuppers, that really did indicate that it was a one horse town. While there, I had breakfast at the Branding Iron. You can see the man cooking on the griddle...which indicates it is truly home cooking. When I walked in, the place was filled with bikers. Mean, tough, gruff and huge bikers.

Their Chapter? B.A.C.A. Bikers Against Child Abuse. I started to chat with them and yes, they were sweet as pie. Their Chapters are all over the country. Their purpose? To assist child abuse and molestation victims. They assist in the protection of children as they go to court. They also are at an arms length if a child gets scared, the bikers will visit them at home and make sure the child calms down. Look this group up, it will make me smile and tear up. They were a fine group of men and women.


After my breakfast with them, I drove back to Alamo to kick back and rest in the log cabin. They cabins are so simple on the outside, but so beautiful and woodsy on the inside


This is the view that I have. My love for cows is endless. And they taste so good! I had a flank steak and it was probably one of the cows that was in this field a few days ago....lol


Alamo is about 2 minutes wide.......hahahaha. It is also a dry town. There used to be a bar, but it unfortunately in burned down. I was told that it was quite the coincidence with the fire, considering the Mormons complained about it and then BAM! It's on fire. It was never rebuilt. So now the citizens have to drive 90 minutes if they want a night out with alcohol.

I am having a peaceful time! Wish you were here.

xoxo
TWL

Yes, I have been busy, but it will pay off in the end.
Anyhoo, it is time to finish up The Grand Canyon.

This was the first view that greeted me upon my arrival. Mesmerized does not come close to how I felt.


Yes, there are iron fences all over the place. But as you keep hiking along, you can see man made trails that can lead you down to areas not fenced off. They are dangerous if you do not watch yourself and trust me, there are hundreds of people who get complacent.
I, along with two Japanese tourists hiked down a hidden trail on the side of this cliff.


Here are the two tourists that I spent about an hour with. They didn't speak much English, but they got their point across. They had asked me to take pics of them as they jumped about on the ledge. They were freaks! These two men were my saving grace because although it was easy getting down the ledge, it was hard getting back up. One held my hand as we went back up and the other pushed my ass...lol. Seriously, he did. On a few rock formations, he put both of his hands on my ass and pushed. We had a few laughs over it. Hell, I didn't mind! I wanted back up...lol


This section was one of the most dangerous sections in which people were jumping back and forth on. How ridiculous is that! And to tell you the truth, it was mostly young ones. I feared for them. Beauty can make you forget how much it can kill you.


Plain and simple, I sat on this ledge and had the most amazing dream. It's easy to do here.


I intend on going back. While I was there, the North Rim was closed. The North Rim is where the glass walk way is and where the mules are. I also want to hike further than 16 miles. I want to walk down deeper into the canyon. Can you imagine walking millions of years into the earth? How fantastic would that be? To walk down into history?

Howdy PardNNers! Why don't you mosey on up to the bar and have a rouNNd of whiskey. But be careful that you don't turn your back to the door. You never know when Jessie James or Billy The Kid will come in and shoot you dead. Also, make sure that if you hire a SalooNN Girl for fun, you wear a condom made of cow hide. You don't want to come down with the clap. That was deadly back then....lol.

You have heard of 1,000 Way to Die in the West. Well how about 1,000 Ways to get NNude in the West. Back in the days of the Wild Wild West things were crazy and out of control! There were very few groups of individuals back then, so you would think that life was simpler because of those few groups, but you would be wrong. They clashed against one another, so your life expectancy was short.

*Cowboys were fighting the Indians.
*Indians were fighting everyone.
*Saloon Girls were the minority and didn't live a long life and more than most of the groups, they died of an STD....lol.
*Gold Prospectors were being robbed and killed.
Outlaws were hunted down by the Lawmen.
*Lawmen were ambushed by those who hated them.
*Prairie Women were the backbone of the entire era but looked like leather by the time they reached their early 20's...tee hee.

How did any of the above groups ever make it past the age of 25 is beyond me. Who would you have been? How do you picture yourself if time were reversed?






Here are the rules.
*Dress or portray anything or anyone from the Wild Wild West.
*Post 1 to 4 pics in your blog.
*You CANNOT use old pics.
*NO PHOTO SHOPPING of props.
*YOU CAN photo shop words.
*You do not have to be naked or semi-nude. The choice is yours.
*If you use another members pics, please get their permission.
*WE PLAY one week from this Monday. You have 8 to 9 days to get ready. The festivities will last Monday and Tuesday. Again, you have 8 to 9 days to get ready.
*When the time comes and you post your pics in your blog, you will cut and paste the names of the players under your pics.

Sign up below if you want to roam the prairie with us. There will be a lot of horseNN arouNNd and cowpokiNN FuNN. But heads up, don't squat with your spurs on.

A few weeks back I made a decision to change the way I remember my Dad on his birthday. Usually I buy his favorite champagne and listen to the music that we both shared and enjoyed. Which was music from his teen and adults years. I speak to him and tell him what is going on in my life. I have been doing this since his death. This year, on May 1st, I decided to start making the trips that he had always wanted to take. When I was a little girl, he always talked about taking us kids to the Grand Canyon. But it never happened. Oh, we went all over the place on other trips, but not the Grand Canyon.

May 1st would have been my Daddy's 90th Birthday. Last Friday was all about my day with my Dad as I hiked about this fantastic menagerie of wonders. Upon my first view of the canyon, it took me a few moments to catch my breath. I was in awe. The thrill of this magical creation never left my face and my Dad never left my thoughts.

I was mesmerized by the views. It was clear that I had fallen in love. My adoration for Mother Nature and what she can do shocked me.....and that isn't easy to do, since I know her powers. I described each view as if my Dad was there. This was one of his dreams.

It wasn't easy, but I found a bluff all to myself and just sat there meditating. My thoughts wandered off to what is going on in my life, how I got to where I am today and the goals I have placed upon myself. I can thank my Dad for the woman I am, the dreams I will obtain and the goals I still have left to complete. It was here, on this bluff, I told my Dad that I love him and wished him a Happy Birthday. So, I set the timer on my camera and gave a thumbs up to the man who raised me.


The day with my Father was fantastic!
Grand Canyon Part 2 will be filled with my antics. lol.....Did you really think that I would just go to the Grand Canyon and not do things that would get me into trouble or raise eyebrows?....hahahaha tee hee.

I am comfortable and safe in the hotel. No, I did not fall off into the Grand Canyon. After hiking 16 miles, I am completely wiped out! Forgive me if I do not post the pics tonight. I want to eat my Hot Fudge Sunday in bed.

Night for now.

This blog is pretty much proof that I was not the person who fell off of the Grand Canyon Mather Rim. Although that was one of the rims and ledge areas I was hiking down, I am safe.

I am on my way to the Grand Canyon. This is a special trip for me. I will explain why, later. I have been on the road since 1430 and arrived in Kingman AZ @ 1900 (Cali Time) which was actually 2000 AZ time. I turned up the music and sang along as loud as I could. I know how to keep myself entertained on these long drives.

So, there I was.........passing by Route 66. I had always wanted to drive along that road and today I did just that! How did I commemorate the historical event? They saying is "Get your kicks on Route 66" I don't know how others got their kicks, but I got mine by pulling over in a small cove along the road and did some playing....ooo la a! I now have a fond memory and will give a sly smile each time someone mentions those words........lol.

How would you get your kicks on Route 66?

At times I feel as if I am Poison Ivy. The hero to the Botany World and Mother Nature. My body feels alive in nature and under the sun. My walks through the wilderness has taught me so much and I have learned so a great deal about myself. I have the ability to bring dead plants back to life with my green thumb. A skill taught to me by my science teacher in the 8th grade.
I am the defender and protector in the wilderness by picking up trash as I walk among nature. Don't get on my bad side.

Poison Ivy got a bad rap. But she is the comic wolds eco defender. She uses toxins and pheromones aimed at protecting the environment. She is one of Batman's most powerful foes. Her kiss can kill you or bring your body to heights that men dream about....depending on how she feels about you.

I start my day with a long stretch wrapped in the ivy that keeps me company as I sleep.


Before I leave for work, I have to drink in the sun because my body craves it, needs it and wants it. I come alive with it. Chlorophyll is my addiction. I need those molecules to absorb the sunlight and to provide food for all of my curves. I loved my carbohydrates synthesised....it's like an orgasm.


At the end of the day, I kick up my eco-defending heels and settle into my natural feather bed and eco-friendly sheets.
A hero to the plant world must get her rest.


Just as I start my day, I end up with it the same way. Wrapped in the ivy that keeps me company. My comfort is very important to me. And even though I am not shy on my adventures through the wilderness, I am shy about showing who I am and must keep my identity a secret.


Mu life is full of wonder and my next adventure through the wilderness will be exploring the Grand Canyon. What new plant life will I find? Who knows? That is the beauty about Mother Nature. She can surprise you every time.


I hope that everyone has taken the time to visit those who have already blogged.

guitartxn, Jener, Kinky_Curves, mrsUnderDog59, JediMasterBater, sexybitch76, rem870, Wrigley, Jersey_Girl, Dreamingof_U, Liketolicknsuck, mediapro, Raven2005, amps79, FiFi72uk, undisclosedid1, MadAandJ and me....tight_wet_lips

Well, here I am in my all time favorite places. San Clemente. I spent many years watching the sunset as I walked along the pier. Right now it's storming and raining. The sky above the ocean always gets mean, fierce, grey, purple, black and blue. The churning of the water turns a slate green. This beach has one of the best homey feels about it and the grass canopies gives it an island feel. I used to spend breezy summer days here watching the dolphins play around the surfers. The quaint appeal makes being here feel so comfortable.



This is the mural right by the pier. It's done in ceramic tile and it's gorgeous in person.


I think that I will stay the night at a cute hotel. Aaaaaaaaaaaah.......relaxation. Too bad you cannot join me.

xoxo