I was looking through some pics for today’s post and I chose this one because it made me realize how many pets we have adopted through the years. Our first family pet was a Jack Russel Terrier who just happened to come into our lives at the worst time. All of my kids were under 10 years old with my youngest just having turned 2 that year. I felt like Bosco was another child I had to look after and I was already spread out past thin. It broke my heart to have to give him away to a neighbor but it was what was best for him as well. After that, we didn’t have any pets because I thought it best to wait until the kids were older and handle taking care of a pet. Then entered our rabbit phase. After the 6th rabbit died we decided to take another break from owning a pet.
This Desert Tortoise was a gift from our neighbors to my son. That boy adores turtles. I think that Snap, as he named him, was THE gift of his 12th birthday. But unfortunately Snap didn’t last long because someone stole him not too long after. So here is to you Snap, wherever you are, Jojo still misses you. 🙂
This sign tickles me. The missing W in what is supposed to read water, got tired of the drought and went to find itself. As for Basic Water… REALLY?? As opposed to what, Premium Water? THAT’s so redundant! Have a great day readers 🙂
Just touring my neighborhood made me aware of how little I know about it. I have walked past McCaw School of Mines dozens of times and the day I photographed it, it took on a whole new perspective for me. Sometimes you just have to not only stop and smell the roses, but look around and take in the WHOLE scene. Grab your camera, shoot away and then see what you captured, it might surprise you!
Today I’m sharing some images I took of the goofy street names around my neighborhood. Also, I’ll give you a few facts about Henderson just in case you ever make your way down to Las Vegas and decide that it’s too crazy over there, then head on over to Henderson because it really is a BIG change of pace and scenery compared to that of wild Vegas.
Redundant?
My daughter and I found these street signs amusing. We figured they didn’t want to call the street Metal so they found a much fancier word like Tin. Then again, perhaps Basic/ Metal could be the gran-daddy of Heavy Metal Music which then would have drawn all the Heavy Rockers to this quiet neighborhood; much to the dismay of its peaceful residents… Yeah right! 🙂
Henderson celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003. The township of Henderson emerged in the 1940s to supply the country with magnesium, the “miracle metal” of World War II. Although “born in America’s defense,” Henderson’s future after the war was uncertain until April 16, 1953, when city incorporation papers were signed.
Henderson was “born in America’s defense” ten years prior to its incorporation during World War II with the building of the Basic Magnesium Plant. The plant supplied the USWar Department with magnesium for incendiary munition casings and airplane engines, frames, and other parts.
In 1988, the PEPCON rocket fuel factory became engulfed in fire. There were multiple explosions, some measuring over 3 on the Richter magnitude scale. Two people were killed. The explosion spurred the development of Henderson from industrial to the largely residential area it is today. There are no signs of the Pepcon explosion today, and the site now consists mostly of office buildings.
REALLY??
This street sign is a cruel joke. I live 6 hours from the lovely Pacific Ocean. Whoever named this street had to have been some thirsty, lone traveler marooned in the desert while hallucinating that the ocean was just over the next sand dune or cluster of cactus. Maybe he was waiting for “The Big One”, the quake that’s supposed to shake California right off the map. In that case I would have beach front property and this sign would not be lying and teasing desert dwellers anymore. Now THAT makes sense… whatever… 🙂
In 2006, Money magazine ranked Henderson 20th in its annual list of the top 100 places to live in the U.S.
Prevention magazine tapped Henderson in 2007 as the sixth best walking city in America, ahead of San Diego, California, and just behind Seattle, Washington. Henderson has more than 37 miles (60 km) of trails.
For the next few days I’m posting photos of my neighborhood. This blog challenge inspires me to grab my camera and take it with me everywhere I go. Last Sunday I went for a short hike with my daughter Elena. I decided to put on my “tourist eyes” and challenged my self to look at my neighborhood as if I was on holiday, just passing through. It’s amazing how much a place can grow on you, then you take it for granted and it ceases being special anymore. During my self guided tour I found out what a rich little community I live in and I’m so glad I moved here. These images are part of large a mural that is on the wall of the 7-Elevenconvenience store…amazing right? 🙂 Challenge yourself to put on your “tourist eyes” and view your surroundings as if you’re seeing them for the very first time. You’ll be surprised!
After today’s internet black out, I wanted to post a picture to give you something to smile about. This picture does it for me and I hope it cheers you up!
Here is the horse I drew for Esther. At first her request intimidated me but I decided to try it. I found an image of a horse she liked online and I copied it. As I sat down to sketch out the horse, I kept running into some difficulty. Then I remember that I learned how to draw upside down when I was in the 8th grade. Mr. Atkins, my art instructor saw that some of us were having a hard time, so he suggested that we all turn the picture of the subject we were drawing upside down; in this way the left side of your brain won’t get in the way of what the right side is doing. I implemented it to draw this horse and I was glad I did. That night when her dad came home, Esther told him how I had drawn the horse up side down and he laughed in amazement. It’s mind blowing what we can remember from the past. I framed it andnow it hangs in her bedroom.
I spent a week a couple of summers ago, with a childhood friend. She would go to work while I’d relax in her cozy condo. One morning I took my cup of tea to her outside porch. She lived in a heavily wooded place which I welcomed because where I live there aren’t any woods, just miles upon miles of tumbleweeds and cactus. That morning I dusted off her rattan furniture, I could tell she hadn’t been out there in a while. I settled into a comfy chair and as I took in the serene scenery, I happened to look down from her 2nd story condo. This is what I saw and it delighted me. I thought, gee, I wonder if my girl friend is aware of this pretty little oasis practically right under her feet? So I photographed it because I wanted to capture the feeling of peace that it brought me as I sat in my spot for the next few mornings. Sometimes you DO have to slow down enough to see the extraordinary in what seems ordinary.
My daughter Esther has always had a fascination with horses. I would hear well meaning people tell me that it’s natural for young girls to have a love of horses. Well, she’s not so little anymore and she still adores them. I used to feel badly that I don’t have the money to get her one. As parents we wish we could give our kids everything they want. But one day I remembered what my uncle in whose home I grew up in told me when I was a kid: ” If I gave you all the things you want, you wouldn’t have anything to look forward to when you’re grown up.” So one day I told that to my girl and she looked up at me with those gorgeous long eyelashes that could sweep the moon right into my hands and she said,” It’s ok Mama, I understand. So could you draw me one instead? ” I told her I wasn’t sure I could do that and she said she knew I could since she’s seen my other art work. So I set about to do it and I pulled it off! Stay tuned because tomorrow that will be the picture I post. It’s wonderful when your own kids believe in you!
Eva Santiago 