Today’s picture is of an event of something I had never been a part of before. A couple of years ago the dance studio my daughters attended arranged a mob dance and my whole family except for my husband participated in it. Thankfully he declined because we would not have any pictures of the event. Mob dances are so much FUN! This one we did in the hottest part of the summer here in the lovely Mojave desert. I appreciate the fact that we performed in front of the dancing fountains of The Bellagio Casino. We even made it on to the evening news. That was such a great experience for me because it brought me out of my shell. I can say I have done a mob dance and lived to tell about it.
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!
Thanksgiving Day,
a day to give thanks,
should not just be a holiday,
but also a lifestyle,
with an attitude,
of gratitude.
Let’s never forget
why it is we truly celebrate,
or else we’ll only be feasting for naught-
having forgotten
the very ones who fought
so we could partake
in this amazing gift,
a treasure from heaven:
our FREEDOM.
That we seem to daily
take for granted.
Let our thanks be deliberate,
as we sit down with family to celebrate.
Oh, please America,
let us never stop our thanks,
let us always keep giving,
not only today on Thanksgiving.
America: Once one of the ten
lepers they were needing cleansing..
they reached out to be healed,
an then heaven touched them.
At once all ten were restored.
Healed and Restored
Nine of the ten ran off,
to live their lives without looking back.
Except for the one, America,
she came back on her knees in appreciation
to The One who healed,saved and restored.
Then she was blessed as a nation,
and she never ever since forgot
any of those who fought
for her freedom.
There are many who hate
gnashing their teeth everyday,
as they lay in wait
to see America fall on her face.
To see her crumble from outer space.
What they don’t realize,
is that America is great
because The One on His Throne,
sees her enemies and laughs,
and one day they’ll all be turned
from powder into stone.
Although America does stumble,
she was not made to break.
America is far from perfect,
if she was, she would be boring.
She is good… being made better.
Oh let us never forget!
We must never turn our backs
on those who have fought.
Our freedom was blood bought,
to make America great. HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY AMERICA!!
I came to the USA,
33 years ago
Although I love my country of birth,
the place of my ancestors,
is still in my heart…
BUT I’ve lived in this great land,
for most of my life.
As a girl I ran on the sand
of her finest beaches.
Panama City Beach
I grew up eating Georgia’s delectable peaches.
I’ve seen the sunrise in the east,
to watch it descend
in the far west.
My eyes have seen a feast,
but the sun setting where I live,
is always the finest,the absolute best.
All of my blessings
have been given to me here,
in this wonderful place.
Where God has given me favor,
and showed me His face.
I never give acknowledgement once a year.
For all that I have,
a life rich with flavor.
I look into the eyes of my loved ones…
daily I see,
daily I hear,
daily I know,
and daily I am aware of whom I’m indebted to.
Because I am rich without measure,
I look all around,
in my home, so MUCH treasure!
I appreciate you God,
for bringing me here,
I say it to you today and through out the rest of the year!!
Please refer back to my earlier posts and read what this challenge is about so that the later posts make sense 🙂
Day 19 Question #19: What is one of the super unique aspects of your own family today?
Answer: I had to think hard on this one because there are several dynamics that make my family stand out in a crowd. I believe a key aspect though is the fact that my husband is twenty years my senior. That has played a major role in our evolving as a family unit. I have been told by close friends that the way we are rasing our kids, resembles something more out of the 1950’s landscape than 2011. We are one of those rare modern families that with God‘s favor and grace, can live on a single income which allows me to stay home so I can educate our kids. Yes, it’s tough at times going without some of the extra things we THINK might make us happy. But in the end stuff has to take a back seat to nurturing and educating our future.
Another interesting side note is that my husband’s “old school” morals and mine came from two different places. His came from the era he was raised in . Mine came from having been born in another country and having been raised by two people who kept the traditions of our country of origin and instilled them in me in a new culture and society.
Secondly the 20 year difference in our marriage enhances our kid’s education in ways I’d never imagine. They are exposed to several very different time periods; being that my husband is a baby boomer, our kids are more familiar with the culture that he grew up in than their peers. Just for an example, ask my kids about Red Skelton, Nat King Cole,I Love Lucy, and a lot of the music and pop culture of the ’60’s and they can tell you in detail.Most kids their age, draw a complete blank. I was a product of the 1980’s culture so they are thoroughly familiar with a lot of the fashions, music and pop culture of that era too.
So the bridging the gap between two very different and unique eras has helped to shape and mold our family into who we are today.
A girl at school was just kicked off the soccer team because another class mate complained to the school officials that said girl would not be friends with her. Now the school officials are accusing the swimmer for being a bully. Who is the real bully here?
I just recently was kicked out of a church. Yes, you are reading correctly! My family and I are not allowed to come back to a certain church because I refused the pastoral counseling being offered to me. That was the main reason for our having been banned from this church. The other reasons are of no lesser significance: I was also told that the pastor did not like some of my views on this blog. Hello! The 1st Amendment guaranteeing my rights to freedom of speech were infringed upon. Lastly I was told by this same man that my husband and I had to meet up with some key people he had already designated for us because we needed to learn from these people how to be “Godly parents”. Apparently this pastor is under the impression, that after raising 4 great kids together for the past 22 years that we’ve been married, we haven’t a clue as to what we’re doing.
Folks, when your kids were younger did you ever try to pick out their friends for them? That’s crazy right? So how can a school and a pastor even think that they have any say in whom a child or two adults choose to associate with? It’s a MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD and that madness has creeped into some churches.
Perhaps the best thing this pastor did by banning us from attending his church was to spare us any further hurt by him. Now THAT’S a silver lining on my cloud!
Please refer back to my earlier posts and read what this challenge is about so that the later posts make sense.
Day 16 Question 16: What were the big events going on in the world the year you were born? Who was the president?
Answer: 1970 was my birth year so here are a few high lights of what took place . Doing this was interesting because I learned a lot about what happened that year.
Democrats sweep the U.S. Congressional midterm elections; Ronald Reagan is reelected governor of California; Jimmy Carter is elected governor of Georgia.
3. When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.
4. A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him ‘Why do you carry a 45?’ The Ranger responded, ‘Because they don’t make a 46.’
5. The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm ‘Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?”No Ma’am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my shotgun.’
6 Beware the man who only carries one gun. HE PROBABLY KNOWS HOW TO USE IT!!!
But wait, there’s more!
I was once asked by a lady visiting if I had a gun in the house. I said I did. She said ‘Well I certainly hope it isn’t loaded!’ To which I said, of course it is loaded, it can’t work without bullets!’ She then asked, ‘Are you that afraid of someone evil coming into your house?’ My reply was, “No not at all. I am not afraid of the house catching fire either, but I have fire extinguishers around, and they are all loaded too”.
HAVE A NICE DAY But don’t Monkey with Me…
And Remember: I’m a firm believer of the 2nd Amendment!
If you are too, please forward..
WHERE ELSE BUT AMERICA
ONLY IN AMERICA
We are the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment – yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations, ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents, clothes, bedding, doctors and medical supplies. Imagine if we gave ourselves the same support that we give other countries. I feel bad for them, but I wonder who cares about America .
99% of people won’t have the guts to forward this.
Eva Santiago 