Misc things that sprout in my mind
I have to say that Disney World does it right. They go out of their way to insure that everyone has a good time. One of those unique experiences was the McCaws at Animal Kingdom. A dozen birds seem to land on command so these smiling young ladies can tell us about them and of course so we can take pictures. Then a few minutes later they all take flight only to return a few hours later for more guests. Continue reading Blue McCaws
I guess you could say that folk music is an acquired taste and it seems to have fallen out of favor these days. In my earlier hearing years I almost lived and breathed folk music. One of the original founders of that music genre was Woody Guthrie and one of my favorite museums is the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa OK. The museum is small but packed with the archive of all his music. His most famous song “This Land Is Your Land” should be our national anthem. It relates more to the character of America than a naval … Continue reading I’m Dreaming About … Folk Music
I want to re-visit an institution in Omaha Nebraska that we visited in 2012. This time with a focus on the many bronzes they have throughout the museum. The building was originally the passenger train depot for the city and all the bronzes show the activity as it probably was 80 years ago. Click on any of the pictures below to see an enlarged slideshow view. Continue reading Life in Bronze…
It’s too bad America doesn’t have a queen. If we did, maybe she could summon the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties in the House to her palace and order them — in the national interest — to form a coalition to lead the House of Representatives and end the dysfunction that’s taken over Washington. How would a Republican-Democratic coalition work? By enlisting Democrats to help the more-mainstream Republicans in the House elect the new leadership. In exchange for Democratic votes, the new leaders would promise that any legislation that had the support of a majority of the House … Continue reading Just Too Sensible….
I have to put out a quick post here following Pope Francis’ speech before our congress. To me it was very inspiring but obviously there were those there that simply refused to listen to anything he said. Instead they sat stoically on their hands while those around them frequently stood and applauded. This reminded me of the last words in the final verse of one of my favorite songs which is entitled “Vincent” by Don McClean. It goes like this… They would not listen, They are not listening still Perhaps they never will I just cannot believe that the current … Continue reading Perhaps They Never Will..
This is another post in the “best of the best” category. This time it is about my favorite western fort. Bent’s Old Fort was a commercial fort not a military one. For those of you who are old enough to … Continue reading Bent’s Old Fort…
Abraham Lincoln is one of my favorite presidents. His library in Springfield Illinois is and impressive place. The pictures here are life-like figures from his cabinet. Most of these guys thought he was just a yokel who could be easily … Continue reading Lincoln Museum – Springfield IL
The Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City is an impressive building on the capital grounds of the State government. Since I have Pawnee blood in my heritage I am always looking for info about that tribe. Of course they, like … Continue reading Oklahoma History Center
There are thousands of small towns still around in America. Antonio Colorado is somewhat typical of many. They have survived and even that says a lot about them. Antonito, Colorado was formed, like many other Colorado towns, from the Denver & … Continue reading Antonio Colorado…
I was so excited to see that Woody Guthrie finally had his own museum I couldn’t wait to visit. Here is a gallery of pictures for … Continue reading Woody Guthrie Center – Tulsa OK
During our trip to Santa Fe this Spring we managed to get to the Oklahoma State House for a visit. They proved to be the most stringent of all the state houses we have visited about taking pictures but I … Continue reading Oklahoma State House Art…
The annual antique tractor show was this past weekend in our small rural town. Here is some photos to give you a peek. Continue reading Antique Tractors..
I recently make a second trip to Bandelier National Monument in northern New Mexico and appreciated it as much as I did the first time. Similar to Mesa Verde in Southern Colorado, it is a mystical place. Click on any … Continue reading Bandelier National Monument
This one was found in the South Dakota Cultural Center and is pretty typical of the stage coaches of the era. They were very much a part of America. Continue reading Stage Coach… Yesterday's Buses
In quick succession, the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany all agreed to become founding shareholders of the AIIB, a sign that they are eager to cozy up to Beijing and its $4 trillion in foreign reserves. Once upon a time, “the world was said to bow down before the mighty dollar. These days, even many of America’s closest allies have renminbi signs in their eyes.” This is an impressive “soft-power victory for China,” said the editors at Bloomberg View, and “Washington largely has itself to blame.” The U.S. has long called on China to take more of a role in … Continue reading And It Begins…A China Power Play….
RJ's Corner - Having My Say 