A blog about our road trips on Route 66, Lincoln Highway, St. Louis, New York, Michigan, etc. (we have been to 37 States, 13 more to visit), about my love of hockey (NHL), football (NFL), coming to America, growing up in Viet Nam, humor that ain't funny and still a lot of ramblings!
The little rabbit looks so cute somewhat hidden in the grass. I watched it from inside the patio door and then wonder maybe I am being watched. I know there are a lot of people believe in aliens from outer space and some even claimed that they encountered these "creatures" and were taken away in the spaceships. I have not made any attempt to educate myself on this subject or try to prove that there is no such thing as UFO. I do wonder from time to time when I look out the back yard, watching the little rabbit, whether the rabbit is aware of its existence in relation to the big wide world. Based on most of science fiction movies or books, creatures from outer space are extremely intelligent and much more advanced in technology compared to the level we have on earth, then why would these creatures bother coming to earth. What could they possibly want with people like us? I don't think we have anything special to offer except vulnerable bodies, constant fighting and killing each other and a society consists of production of useless items. If I was an alien, earth and the people living in it would not be of interest to me.
As promised in the May 9th entry about the beautiful flowers on the one-and-only apple tree in our back yard, I am posting these photos showing the tree currently is full of tiny green apples. Next month, there will be delicious looking red apples. These are my favorite photos of the apples on the branches and the beautiful blue sky. I enjoy taking close-up photos and learning to appreciate the small details of the world around me.
Latest exciting news from our back yard - Mom Rabbit (photo above) gave birth (again) to a few more little babies (bottom photo) while PaPa Rabbit kept watch (top photo and below). Mom Rabbit sat still while I came so close as she was not in a position to run away. I hope later at therapist sessions she does not blame me for the trauma I caused her or her children during birthing!
The little new born rabbits are not much to look at. In a few days they would turn into the cutest little fur balls with quick feet.
June 14th is celebrated as Flag Day. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.
Our thanks to all the brave servicemen and women who served and those currently are serving our Country here and abroad.
One Nation Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.
A few weeks ago, Luc Bourdon, a defenseman with the Vancouver Canucks, was killed in a motorcycle crash. He was only 21 years old. These photos were taken when I attended the game last Thanksgiving. The photo above caught a glimpse of Bourdon (#28) as he was skating away during practice. At the time I focused more on the Sedin twin brothers, Henrik #33 and Daniel #22. Of course, everyone paid more attention to the team captain, Markus Naslund #19. After we heard the sad news, I blurted out that his passing such untimely as it was during the Stanley Cup Final. My husband teased me and said that he promised to make sure to arrange so that his death would not be interfering with NHL playoffs schedule or during the Superbowl.
When my Dad passed away in 2001, he was only 67 years old. After extended their condolences, many people commented that Dad died at such young age. I guess because we are expected to live to be at least 80 or older. One time when my Mom and I talked bitterly why Dad being such a good person had suffered from cancer and did not get to enjoy a good life after all the years working and taking care of our family and that death should take his young brother who was a terrible husband, a womanizer, drinking, gambling, mistreated his children and family. Then Mom mentioned a Vietnamese expression, "Troi Keu Ai Nay Da" No one could avoid death if their names are called. She further commented, "Look at Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, Jr., they were so good looking and they died so young." We shared a good laugh when I said, "Do you think only ugly people would die?"
Rest In Peace, Luc. I am sure there is hockey in heaven.
Here we go again - a bird got stuck in our chimney. I heard the noise coming from inside the chimney. As you could see the bird in the photo below. This is not the first time such thing happens. Actually it happened a few times every year. At first my husband tried to get the bird to come down as we did not want it to die inside the chimney. Then we tried to gently get a hold of the bird. That was not successfuly as the bird got away, flew around the house and smashed itself right into the kitchen windows. Finally, with the patio doors wide open, the silly bird flew out to the wider world where it belongs. We quickly closed the doors as there are bees in the patio and we did not want the bees in the house after we just got rid of the bird!
An outdoor fountain at Anheuser-Busch complex. We went on a tour recently when some relatives came for a visit. Today A-B is in the headline of local newspaper and international news as a Belgium company has made an offer to purchase A-B, an icon and national pride of American beers, for 40 billions. In my humble opinion, I hope it is an offer that A-B will refuse. As the temperature has started to pass 90 degrees here and extreme summer heat began to make life unbearable, I thought posting these photos would help my readers keeping cool. The photo below was taken on July 4, 2002 on the Alaska Cruise. That was the day when we were at Glaciers Bay. I was freezing even with the heavy coat, fur hat, gloves and all covered up. I later learned that the temperature in St. Louis that day was over 100!
My husband often laughs at me when I would not come outside because of the heat. His comment was, "How did you live in Viet Nam, a tropical country, and unable to endure the temperature?" I responded, "We did not have air condition in Viet Nam. Now I am used to the good life." I wonder how my body would adjust to the weather in Viet Nam when we hope to visit my birth country for the first time since we left more than 30 years ago.
Whenever we are in Detroit, one of the must-stops is Hockeytown Authentics store. This is the place where we purchase Red Wings items and spend the money we were supposed to save for our retirement. We don't buy Tigers stuff because I am not a baseball fan. The store was particularly crowded that day with people looking for Stanley Cup items. Next to the store was Joe Koolisky Bar & Grill. We ate there before but I never noticed the words "No Pants No Service" on top of the front of the building. I took the photos as I thought my brother, Qaptain Qwerty, and the readers, would enjoy the humor.
The last few weeks have been so hectic that I neglected to share so many wonderful memories with my adoring fans. My husband and I attended Game 1 (Saturday, May 24th) of the Stanley Cup Final at the Joe. Even though I complained about the accomodation of the arena, attending SC Final Game at the Joe in Hockey Town was like being in Hockey Heaven. It was so exciting, from the time we waited in line to pick up tickets at the Will Call windows, holding the tickets in our hands, walking around while screaming from the top of our lungs, "Let's Go Wings" or "We Want the Cup", it was just wonderful! I also saw the Great Scotty Bowman as he pulled into the parking lot. I stood frozen, in awe facing the legendary NHL coach and started yelling, "Hi Coach" when he already drove away! After many phone calls and emails, I was able to obtain SC tickets by going thru a channel of someone I know working at the St. Louis Blues who knows someone working at the Red Wings. The tickets were not in lower bowl level (we were willing to pay more than double the cost of the tickets thru a ticket outlet for better seats). As someone told me, at least I got into the building (the arena) and being part of the historic Stanley Cup Final. Photo below showed the years when the Red Wings won its 10 Stanley Cup Championships.
It was a great Game 1 as the Wings won 4-0. That would show the younger Penguins a lesson that experience counts and they must show respect to the skilled veteran players. Photo above was taken after the game as the Red Wings players extended the traditional congratulations to Ozzie. Photos below were taken during practice before the game showing the Penguins, especially Sidney Crosby (#87). It must be interesting to be 21 years old and the whole world is watching your every moves and also scary for Crosby to be expected to carry the future of NHL on his shoulders.
