We spent some time on Mt. Charleston int he Spring Mts. and at Red Rock park the last two days. They are both beautiful and majestic. You feel inspired to sing America the Beautiful.
It was really warm at Red Rock and nice and cool at Mt. Charleston. There was a lodge at the top of the mountain with horse drawn carriage rides and a Christmas shoppe. The million dollar plus homes are perched like eagle's nests and have a spectacular view. The streets are named Kris Kringle and Jack Frost and Snow White. I loved it up there. It was like Fantasy land for grown ups.
Red Rock was stark and looked more like desert. There was an old quarry and vistas that were breath taking. You could hike and climb. my husband and daughter did a little climbing and I just got sick to my stomach! I couldn't bear the thought of either one of them losing their footing. Of course, they are both fine. However, my fears are not unfounded as there was an airlift on Mt. Charleston the day we were there and also at Red Rock--they even had to close the scenic drive through the park to clear out the victim(s).
The craziest thing is just 20 minutes from this wild and remote beauty is VEGAS!!!! As you drive away from either place you cans see the Stratosphere and NYNY in the skyline. It is kind of freaky. Talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous!
We are seeing a side of Vegas that I never really thought about. The people who live here have nice communities. There are gated neighborhoods and construction all over the place. They are even building new highways(and I mean brand new). I know one thing for sure, I have never seen so many restaurants in my life. If I lived here I would never cook again! Within a mile of my daughter's condo, there are 500 restaurants(really) and if you go to 5 miles the number is astronomical!! So I really wouldn't cook. Really!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Horton Sees a"What the heck??"
We had breakfast at an IHOP yesterday morning and a little boy behind us ordered the Whoville pancakes. Have you seen the ad for those things?? Horton the elephant comes running over to talk to the kid's pancakes(whatever) It is a stack of pancakes with pink and blue rivers of Icing or syrup coming down and a lollipop stuck in the top. Every time we see the ad I cringe. They looked so gross to me.
Nothing could prepare me however for the sight of the real thing! Imagine that stack with the lollipop and the rivers of pink and grayish purple(yep, so not blue) sliding down the sides. The two colors had blended together and hence the purplish stuff. And for the clincher it came with a side of chocolate chips! YUM!
We could hardly wait to see what the kid(who looked to be about 4 or 5) would do once he got the breakfast of his dreams. The first five or so minutes he spent placing the chocolate chips strategically around the pancake stack. He also removed the lollipop (smart kid). He then took his fork and attacked the top pancake.
We all know kids have some weird eating habits. I did as a kid and so did my kids. How many of my kindergartners licked all the frosting off the cupcake and threw out the cake? Hundreds! At dinner later that evening, our waitress told us that her 14 year old never eats any vegetables or fruit or meat just milk, water and cereal. The kid has never been sick a day in his life--not even a cold! Who knows, maybe he's on to something!
Anyway, don't order those pancakes. Horton never even showed up!
Nothing could prepare me however for the sight of the real thing! Imagine that stack with the lollipop and the rivers of pink and grayish purple(yep, so not blue) sliding down the sides. The two colors had blended together and hence the purplish stuff. And for the clincher it came with a side of chocolate chips! YUM!
We could hardly wait to see what the kid(who looked to be about 4 or 5) would do once he got the breakfast of his dreams. The first five or so minutes he spent placing the chocolate chips strategically around the pancake stack. He also removed the lollipop (smart kid). He then took his fork and attacked the top pancake.
We all know kids have some weird eating habits. I did as a kid and so did my kids. How many of my kindergartners licked all the frosting off the cupcake and threw out the cake? Hundreds! At dinner later that evening, our waitress told us that her 14 year old never eats any vegetables or fruit or meat just milk, water and cereal. The kid has never been sick a day in his life--not even a cold! Who knows, maybe he's on to something!
Anyway, don't order those pancakes. Horton never even showed up!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Vegas, Baby
Once you go a block or two from the last downtown casino, Las Vegas is much like any other southwestern town I've been in. In other words, despite the different architecture, pretty much like Mentor or Lyndhurst or your town.
There is WalMart and Target and the grocery store. They do seem to have more than their fair share of restaurants but that in itself is comforting. You see, my daughter lives here now and I worry about her being on her own. Now don't misunderstand me. She has a great job, a darling condo, good friends and a busy life. But I am her mother. I still worry. It is my right.
Having adult children is very challenging. You still want to parent but you don't really need to. You probably shouldn't. It is easier said than done. You have to remind yourself of all the silly mistakes you made when you were a young adult and how you survived to become the person you are.
You can't take that away from your own children. That would be the opposite of parenting. So you try to work on a new kind of relationship that is part parent, part kind-of-a-friend thing, You find common ground and interests. You reminisce and enjoy thinking about the past. You listen to their hopes and frustrations and try not to give too much advice and none if they don't ask for it.
In the back of your mind and when you have time on your own to think--then you interfere and give advice but only in your head. A good parent of an adult child keeps that to himself/herself unless of course that child is headed for disaster(such as drug use or alcohol abuse) but even then maybe your hands are tied. Luckily, I don't know.
Anyway, my baby lives in Vegas and I am working on thinking of her less as my baby and more as a woman. It's a sure bet that's the right thing to do.
There is WalMart and Target and the grocery store. They do seem to have more than their fair share of restaurants but that in itself is comforting. You see, my daughter lives here now and I worry about her being on her own. Now don't misunderstand me. She has a great job, a darling condo, good friends and a busy life. But I am her mother. I still worry. It is my right.
Having adult children is very challenging. You still want to parent but you don't really need to. You probably shouldn't. It is easier said than done. You have to remind yourself of all the silly mistakes you made when you were a young adult and how you survived to become the person you are.
You can't take that away from your own children. That would be the opposite of parenting. So you try to work on a new kind of relationship that is part parent, part kind-of-a-friend thing, You find common ground and interests. You reminisce and enjoy thinking about the past. You listen to their hopes and frustrations and try not to give too much advice and none if they don't ask for it.
In the back of your mind and when you have time on your own to think--then you interfere and give advice but only in your head. A good parent of an adult child keeps that to himself/herself unless of course that child is headed for disaster(such as drug use or alcohol abuse) but even then maybe your hands are tied. Luckily, I don't know.
Anyway, my baby lives in Vegas and I am working on thinking of her less as my baby and more as a woman. It's a sure bet that's the right thing to do.
Friday, April 11, 2008
The Tie That Binds
Yesterday we hosted a happy hour for our daughter's friends. They were a lovely bunch of young people who were polite and acted interested in what we had to say. At first, things were a little awkward as we were all strangers to one another. In spite of my daughter's many stories about them it is just not the same as really talking to someone.
I don't do well with small talk and neither does my husband so it was a little quiet and I thought the ice might not get broken. After all, we are the same age as these kids' parents and we don't have much in common. Or so I thought.
My many years of watching television finally came in handy. We met a Lost fan, Battlestar Gallactica fans, people who watch Torchwood(BBC SciFi), a MASH fan, and even a Meerkat Manor fan. Suddenly we could share our favorite characters and what we thought was likely to happen. We could talk about who was pretty, who was a bad guy and why we liked a certain part of the story or a certain person. We could ask people how they could even watch certain shows.
We may have come to common ground no matter what but the old boob tube made the conversation more lively right away. There wasn't a person in the room that didn't have a "guilty pleasure" that they watched from Dancing With the Stars to my own personal favorite, REBA. ( I know, I know)
We shared laughs and food and drink and got to know each other a little better. So, thanks CBS, ABC, NBC, BBC, SciFi channel and yes, even you, Lifetime. You helped me make some new friends and I appreciate it.
I don't do well with small talk and neither does my husband so it was a little quiet and I thought the ice might not get broken. After all, we are the same age as these kids' parents and we don't have much in common. Or so I thought.
My many years of watching television finally came in handy. We met a Lost fan, Battlestar Gallactica fans, people who watch Torchwood(BBC SciFi), a MASH fan, and even a Meerkat Manor fan. Suddenly we could share our favorite characters and what we thought was likely to happen. We could talk about who was pretty, who was a bad guy and why we liked a certain part of the story or a certain person. We could ask people how they could even watch certain shows.
We may have come to common ground no matter what but the old boob tube made the conversation more lively right away. There wasn't a person in the room that didn't have a "guilty pleasure" that they watched from Dancing With the Stars to my own personal favorite, REBA. ( I know, I know)
We shared laughs and food and drink and got to know each other a little better. So, thanks CBS, ABC, NBC, BBC, SciFi channel and yes, even you, Lifetime. You helped me make some new friends and I appreciate it.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Man, oh,Man II
Yesterday at the Cleveland airport A man was ahead of me(there was one guy between us turned out he was Japanese with little English--another story) and he left his ticket where he put his items in those little bins they give you. By the way, those are on an automatic return now and it is much easier. Anyway, I told the Japanese guy and he yelled TICKET at the guy. Not looking the least bit worried, the man picked up his ticket and carried on with his business. Now if I had left my ticket anywhere even for the briefest of moments, I would be having a spaz attack to end all spaz attacks. He was fine with it.
Then as I am getting my belongings after getting checked in, there is one shoe sitting on the end of the belt. Three guesses...the same guy!!! I called out to him and he came and got it and smiled at me and said that he probably would need it and went on his merry way. Now this was no old guy. Probably in his sixties(not old, my young readers)...he didn't have a wife to look out after him in the airport!
Then we went to get a bite to eat. Three men in their thirties were on the phone with the same person, passing it around so it piqued my interest so I started to eavesdrop.(Oh, you do it too!!) Well, the one fella says, she is really skinnier than ever did you see her legs and she might have to go back to the hospital. What kind, caring men. probably a family member with an eating disorder.
Then the subject turns to how much their kids weighed when they were born. Theses are men, I think to myself, way to go. The one guy says oh his kids only weighed 10 lbs together. One was 6lbs5oz and I am thinking to myself now(and the other one was a peanut?????) but the other one was 5lbs 110z so they must have added up to around 12. I swear that is what he said. now i am really fascinated and this same knucklehead says that they were at the hospital for 18 hours. And Kim(the wife, poor girl) had a epidural and didn't feel a thing. They gave it to her after 12 hours of labor!!!!!!!!!!!! I swear that is what he said. What in the heck did he think she was feeling for the 12 hours before she got it!
I am proud to tell you that I didn't crack up laughing in the guy's face but I am going to call poor Kim and tell her next time--he should have the labor!!
Then as I am getting my belongings after getting checked in, there is one shoe sitting on the end of the belt. Three guesses...the same guy!!! I called out to him and he came and got it and smiled at me and said that he probably would need it and went on his merry way. Now this was no old guy. Probably in his sixties(not old, my young readers)...he didn't have a wife to look out after him in the airport!
Then we went to get a bite to eat. Three men in their thirties were on the phone with the same person, passing it around so it piqued my interest so I started to eavesdrop.(Oh, you do it too!!) Well, the one fella says, she is really skinnier than ever did you see her legs and she might have to go back to the hospital. What kind, caring men. probably a family member with an eating disorder.
Then the subject turns to how much their kids weighed when they were born. Theses are men, I think to myself, way to go. The one guy says oh his kids only weighed 10 lbs together. One was 6lbs5oz and I am thinking to myself now(and the other one was a peanut?????) but the other one was 5lbs 110z so they must have added up to around 12. I swear that is what he said. now i am really fascinated and this same knucklehead says that they were at the hospital for 18 hours. And Kim(the wife, poor girl) had a epidural and didn't feel a thing. They gave it to her after 12 hours of labor!!!!!!!!!!!! I swear that is what he said. What in the heck did he think she was feeling for the 12 hours before she got it!
I am proud to tell you that I didn't crack up laughing in the guy's face but I am going to call poor Kim and tell her next time--he should have the labor!!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Man, Oh, Man
Powerful men interest me. I think a powerful man should be strong- looking, acting and thinking. He should present well to the public. He should look healthy and attractive and well dressed. A powerful man should command respect and should be admirable in some way. I guess I am saying that he should look and act the part.
George Bush is a powerful man. Did you see him on his visit with Putin in Russia? Oh my gosh, he looked like a nervous school boy. I don't think the leader of the free world should be shrugging his shoulders in a nervous kind of way as Putin talks to him. It was pretty obvious that Putin makes Bush uncomfortable. Is Putin unapproachable? Is there a language barrier? Does Putin understand English and Bush understand no Russian whatsoever? Probably all of those are true. After all, Putin is ex KGB. Anyone who wasn't a little intimidated by him would be just plain stupid. But to me, a powerful man wouldn't let his body language show it! Especially not on television!
Another powerful man is Ted Turner. Doesn't he own Atlanta or something? Well, at least he used to be married to Jane Fonda and she married powerful men. Anyway, he has a theory that he was happy to share with the media--that in thirty or forty years we would all be cannibals. Our society as it stands today will fall into oblivion. Well, Ted, thanks for sharing that. Too bad you have NOTHING BETTER TO DO!!!!! Like use your money to help solve problems. No wonder Jane left you--none too soon if you ask me.
John McCain is a powerful man too. He is running for president unopposed in his party. Did you see him in Memphis during the MLK memorial service? He made a speech but I didn't hear any of it. I saw it on Jon Stewart and he was talking in a rainstorm while a BLACK MAN held an umbrella over his head!!!!!!!! WHAT?????????????? Wouldn't you have at least asked for a white guy?? I would have--it would seem only right to me, since he was talking about civil rights and all. Or here's a concept, how about holding your own umbrella??????????? The umbrella holder wasn't too interested in the speech anyway. He just kept staring off into space around McCain. He reminded me of one of my students who was tired of listening to me go on and on. It was pretty funny.
Anyway, there are a lot of powerful men out there and if this trio is a sampling of them I say we might be in trouble. Not as much trouble as Ted Turner thinks we're in but trouble just the same!
George Bush is a powerful man. Did you see him on his visit with Putin in Russia? Oh my gosh, he looked like a nervous school boy. I don't think the leader of the free world should be shrugging his shoulders in a nervous kind of way as Putin talks to him. It was pretty obvious that Putin makes Bush uncomfortable. Is Putin unapproachable? Is there a language barrier? Does Putin understand English and Bush understand no Russian whatsoever? Probably all of those are true. After all, Putin is ex KGB. Anyone who wasn't a little intimidated by him would be just plain stupid. But to me, a powerful man wouldn't let his body language show it! Especially not on television!
Another powerful man is Ted Turner. Doesn't he own Atlanta or something? Well, at least he used to be married to Jane Fonda and she married powerful men. Anyway, he has a theory that he was happy to share with the media--that in thirty or forty years we would all be cannibals. Our society as it stands today will fall into oblivion. Well, Ted, thanks for sharing that. Too bad you have NOTHING BETTER TO DO!!!!! Like use your money to help solve problems. No wonder Jane left you--none too soon if you ask me.
John McCain is a powerful man too. He is running for president unopposed in his party. Did you see him in Memphis during the MLK memorial service? He made a speech but I didn't hear any of it. I saw it on Jon Stewart and he was talking in a rainstorm while a BLACK MAN held an umbrella over his head!!!!!!!! WHAT?????????????? Wouldn't you have at least asked for a white guy?? I would have--it would seem only right to me, since he was talking about civil rights and all. Or here's a concept, how about holding your own umbrella??????????? The umbrella holder wasn't too interested in the speech anyway. He just kept staring off into space around McCain. He reminded me of one of my students who was tired of listening to me go on and on. It was pretty funny.
Anyway, there are a lot of powerful men out there and if this trio is a sampling of them I say we might be in trouble. Not as much trouble as Ted Turner thinks we're in but trouble just the same!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Keep on Walkin'
I am a mall walker. I am not a fanatic about it but I try to go up there at least three times a week. On the weekends Kevin and I go together. It is good for our health plus we go out to breakfast after we are done. We even walked for Meals on Wheels a couple of weeks ago. It feels good to do something healthy and help a great organization at the same time. Our son came too. That really made me proud. But, as you know, pride goeth before a fall.
MY FEET ARE KILLING ME! Not just as in, I am tired from a long day or an especially long walk, oh no, as in I am an old lady who needs a podiatrist. I am limping around here today like I have thousand pounds on my feet. I am stepping gingerly and as little as possible until I can get to the doctor.
I have to go as tomorrow we leave on our vacation to visit our daughter. I cannot be in Vegas and not be able to walk! I have things to do, slots to pull, sights to see, shopping, hosting a party for our daughter's coworkers. There is no time for pain!
The pain did not really hit until last night. Oh, I've had twinges but you know how it is...you think it will be better in the morning or it is just arthritis. So today I crawled out of bed at 7am, took my shower, put on toenail polish and called the doctor. On line, it said they opened at 8 am. Wrong-9am. So I am writing to you while I wait to call. Luckily, they have same day service or I don't know what I would do.
Oh yes I do. I would visit Dr. Scholl. I would try to find some kind of insert to help with the pain and just bite the bullet. I am an excellent bullet biter.
Anyway, do you remember the Real McCoys? They had old Granpappy Amos and he limped around the farm(?) and pumped his arms up and down as he walked. That's me minus the arm pumping.
So very soon I will hobble to the doctor and get fixed up--if they accept my insurance and if they really have same day appointments! Then I'll be ready to go and have a great time in Vegas.
MY FEET ARE KILLING ME! Not just as in, I am tired from a long day or an especially long walk, oh no, as in I am an old lady who needs a podiatrist. I am limping around here today like I have thousand pounds on my feet. I am stepping gingerly and as little as possible until I can get to the doctor.
I have to go as tomorrow we leave on our vacation to visit our daughter. I cannot be in Vegas and not be able to walk! I have things to do, slots to pull, sights to see, shopping, hosting a party for our daughter's coworkers. There is no time for pain!
The pain did not really hit until last night. Oh, I've had twinges but you know how it is...you think it will be better in the morning or it is just arthritis. So today I crawled out of bed at 7am, took my shower, put on toenail polish and called the doctor. On line, it said they opened at 8 am. Wrong-9am. So I am writing to you while I wait to call. Luckily, they have same day service or I don't know what I would do.
Oh yes I do. I would visit Dr. Scholl. I would try to find some kind of insert to help with the pain and just bite the bullet. I am an excellent bullet biter.
Anyway, do you remember the Real McCoys? They had old Granpappy Amos and he limped around the farm(?) and pumped his arms up and down as he walked. That's me minus the arm pumping.
So very soon I will hobble to the doctor and get fixed up--if they accept my insurance and if they really have same day appointments! Then I'll be ready to go and have a great time in Vegas.
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