Downtown Walk

When Hubby and I were downtown a couple of weeks ago, we took a little detour off Main Street to discover a whole new world of fun things to see.  Downtown Tucson has some very cool old buildings, of which I plan to photograph some day when I have more time (and it’s cooler weather).

One of the streets had this tower with a prickly pear cactus planted in the bowl at the top.  I added a crosshatch illustration effect just for the fun of it because it had just rained and the street was still wet.  I also like what this effect did to the sky.

Have a pleasant weekend.  Namaste’

Fat Flush Water

I found this recipe on Facebook for something called Fat Flush Water.  I tried it the other day and personally, unless you are absolutely crazy about mint, I would eliminate it.  So today I made it without the mint and it tastes great.  If you like it sweeter, just add a packet of Stevia to your glass.  Want the recipe?  See below the photo.

Recipe (body flush and detox water):

One cucumber, one lemon, one or two oranges, two limes and a bunch of mint (only if you like the taste of mint)

Slice them all and divide the ingredients between four 24 oz. water bottles (I used a gallon (glass) jug for all of it, as you can see in the photo), and fill it up with filtered water.  Drink daily!  This tastes delicious, helps flush fat and counts toward your daily water intake.

Lemons:  Help in the absorption of sugars and calcium; cuts down your craving for sweets.

Cucumber:  Acts as a diuretic and flushes fat cells.  It is alkalizing to the body and if you have an alkaline body, it is difficult for disease to thrive.  Cucumber also increases your energy level.

Lime:  Promotes a healthy digestive tract.

Mint:  A natural appetite suppressant that also aids in digestion.

To your good health!  Namaste’

My Scenery

Most people think of southern Arizona as a dry desert with hardly any green at all.  But that’s if you haven’t been here.  There are a lot of things that make it green in places.  Like the monsoon rains that we have in the summer.  They’re now over, but the plants and trees are still loving the effects of our rain, as you can see in the foreground of this image.

I took this shot from the passenger side of the car as hubby was speeding down the interstate.  I like it because it has the Santa Rita mountains in the background, the cloudy sky and the foreground of green.  Added a slight watercolor effect to give it a dreamy look.

No, I can’t just sit idly by in the car, especially when I have my camera, so here’s an image that I took as we came upon this semi-truck hauling coffee to those Pilot travel centers.  I love coffee, so of course I had to share this image with all of you.  But I have to say, this is the first time ever in my life that I’ve seen a coffee truck rolling down the freeway.  Namaste’

Weekly Photo Challenge: From Lines to Patterns

This week’s photo challenge is just what the title says … from lines to patterns.  Almost everything we see around us has some kind of pattern or lines.  That is, if you look closely enough.  Here’s a few that I have taken in the past that I think fit the bill.

Hubby and I are off to a classic car show tomorrow.  I’ll have pictures, of course, when I get back.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Namaste’

Do You Think She’s Ticked Off?

I got this message today from a dear friend.  One, who like me and millions of other Americans, has paid into a system that is now being threatened.  Please read on … I couldn’t have said it better myself … however, I did change the curse words she used but you’ll get the idea … the impact is still there.

Alan Simpson, the Senator from Wyoming calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he compared “Social Security ” to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.

Here’s a response in a letter from PATTY MYERS in Montana … I think she is a little ticked off!  She also tells it like it is!  

“Hey Alan, let’s get a few things straight” …  

1. As a career politician, you have been on the public dole (teat) for FIFTY YEARS.  

2. I have been paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15 years old. I am now 63).  

3. My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give OUR money to a bunch of zero losers in return for votes, thus bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme that would make Bernie Madoff proud.

4. Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and “your ilk” pulled the proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to age 67. NOW, you and your “shill commission” are proposing to move the goalposts yet AGAIN.

5. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare from Day One, and now “you morons” propose to change the rules of the game. Why? Because “you idiots” mismanaged other parts of the economy to such an extent that you need to steal our money from Medicare to pay the bills.  

6. I, and millions of other Americans, have been paying income taxes our entire lives, and now you propose to increase our taxes yet again. Why? Because you “incompetent bast***s” spent our money so profligately that you just kept on spending even after you ran out of money. Now, you come to the American taxpayers and say you need more to pay off YOUR debt.  

To add insult to injury, you label us “greedy” for calling “bullsh**” to your incompetence. Well, Captain Bullsh**, I have a few questions for YOU:  

1. How much money have you earned from the American taxpayers during your pathetic 50-year political career?  

2. At what age did you retire from your pathetic political career, and how much are you receiving in annual retirement benefits from the American taxpayers?  

3. How much do you pay for YOUR government provided health insurance?

4. What cuts in YOUR retirement and healthcare benefits are you proposing in your disgusting deficit reduction proposal, or as usual, have you exempted yourself and your political cronies?   It is you, Captain Bullsh**, and your political co-conspirators called Congress who are the “greedy” ones. It is you and your fellow nutcase thieves who have bankrupted America and stolen the American dream from millions of loyal, patriotic taxpayers.   And for what? Votes and your job and retirement security at our expense, you lunk-headed, leech.  

That’s right, sir. You and yours have bankrupted America for the sole purpose of advancing your pathetic, political careers. You know it, we know it, and you know that we know it.   And you can take that to the bank, you miserable son of a bi***.  NO, I did not stutter.  

P.S. And stop calling Social Security benefits “entitlements”. WHAT AN INSULT!!!!   I have been paying in to the SS system for 45 years; it’s my money – give it back to me the way the system was designed and stop patting yourself on the back like you are being generous by doling out these monthly checks.  

If you like the way things are in America don’t do anything.   If you agree with what a Montana citizen, Patty Myers, says, please re-blog this or copy and paste to forward to your email list.

Missing My Brother

Dear Mike,

You left us this day three years ago but time hasn’t dulled the memories I have of you.  I miss you.

I’m grateful for the good times we had, so I’m sure you can understand why I swear at you sometimes for checking out so soon.  Namaste’

San Augustin Presidio

I mentioned in a previous post that I would publish some of the images I got from the San Augustin Presidio so here they are.  I really like the contrast in the first image of then and now.  A new parking structure sits in the background of the old presidio.  The image below that is a collage of several that I took that day.  As usual, click to enlarge.  Namaste’

Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside

This weeks photo challenge is inside.  The image below is one of many that I took at the San Augustin Presidio, built in 1775, here in Tucson. I believe it exemplifies the light that we all have inside us.  As you look through the “bars” on the window, you can see the light shining from within.

Maybe it’s time we all looked inside more and let our lights shine outward.  Namaste’

Balancing Act

This image was taken at the same place where I took Eyes of the Future. Whoever balanced these stones must have had some help. ‘Ya think?  Each stone is at least one foot high, some higher.  Wish I had been there when this was done. Namaste’

The Eyes of the Future

I’ve been trying to get a shot of this stone statue for quite a while but each time I want to stop, there’s usually a lot of cars behind me.  (Busy road).  No place to pull off.

So yesterday, I set out from home with the intention of getting a shot.  I specifically put it out to the universe that there would be no cars behind me and I would be able to pull over.  Lo and behold!  No cars, and I even spied a driveway that I never noticed before.  Pulling in was a breeze and no worries about getting hit from behind.

I added a slight illustration effect so that the writing under the wings would be visible.  Click on the image to enlarge but if you can’t for some reason, it says: “The eyes of the future are looking back at us. To protect what is wild is to protect what is gentle.”

The palm tree shot was taken right across the street in stark contrast to the desert scene.  Namaste’