LITTLE RABBIT BIG WORLD

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.

TINY GREEN APPLES

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.

HELLO RABBITS

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.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

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.

IN MEMORIAL-LUC BOURDON

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.

A BIRD IN THE CHIMNEY

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!

KEEPING COOL

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.

NO SHIRTS, NO SERVICE

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 PARTY BEGINS

The Real Party Has Begun - my Beloved Detroit Red Wings captured the 11th Stanley Cup Championships. Life is so Beautiful!

HOCKEY TOWN

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.

MEMORIAL DAY

GOD BLESS AMERICA. TO OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN, PRAYERS FOR YOUR SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. OUR APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. MAY PEACE BE WITH ALL OF US.

I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

I hope you enjoy these photos taken at St. Louis Zoo. Please come back later to read stories from my childhood that are fitting with this song "I Get by with a Little Help from my Friends" by Joe Cocker.

What would you think if I sang out of tune.
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Sweet Lotus was my classmate in 6th grade at Quang Nha School in Viet Nam. She was a picture perfect of what a lovely young lady should be. Each morning I would walk to her house, then patiently waited for her to fix her hair, putting on the pretty ribbons that would match the color of the tiny flowers on her white socks. We had to wear school uniforms, white shirt with either dark blue or black skirt (no tight fit), skirts must be in length below the knees and black leather shoes (of course, no high heels).

To this day I still remember the morning when a teacher assigned Sweet Lotus (who had won many singing and dancing awards) and me to sing the national anthem. After the first verse, I could hear the students started to giggle while the teachers tried so hard to hold back their laughters. No matter how low my voice was, my off-key and flat tone still carried above the beautiful voice coming from Sweet Lotus. As we were leaving the podium, the uncontrollable laughs drown out the applause. Sweet Lotus gently comforted me and said that it was her that could not carry the notes. We were good friends until 9th Grade but no one ever asked me to sing again. Sweet Lotus and her family tried to escape from Viet Nam in 1978. I never heard from her. Her relative told me that the entire family died at sea when their boat was capsized after the pirates robbed and rammed the already damaged tiny boat.

What do I do when my love is away

(Does it worry you to be alone?)

How do I feel by the end of the day,

(Are you sad because you're on your own?)

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Do you need anybody
I need somebody to love
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.
Also at Quang Nha School, I had three male friends and we would play basketball, ping pong and tennis after school. JX, KH and GL all were a year or two younger than me. Even though they all addressed me as "Elder Sister", I was just another male friend when it came to sports. JX left Viet Nam in early 1979 and was sponsored to resettle in Germany by his sister. I re-united with KH at the refugee camp in Indonesia and again when he settled in New Jersey. KH came to New York to visit me almost every month. I took a trip to Seatle, Washington to visit GL in 1983 after we re-connected thru letters and phone calls. Somehow after we crossed the Big Pond, I suddenly was no longer the "Elder Sister" or sports buddy. When KH and GL expressed romantic intentions, I did not know how to handle the situations and ended our friendships. And so that was part of my childhood memories in Viet Nam. I never heard from JX, KH and GL again.

Would you believe in a love at first sight

Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time

What do you see when you turn out the light

I can't tell you but I know it's mine.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.

ANOTHER STANLEY "STAN THE MAN"

My husband wanted to attend the Cardinals game on May 18th. It would be our first baseball game this season. Before the game, a ceremony took place as the St. Louis Cardinals honored Mr. Musial "Stan the Man" for his contributions to the Cardinals. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969. The Cardinals renamed a portion of a street in front of the stadium to be "Stan Musial Drive" and St. Louis City Mayor proclaimed May 18th as "Stan Musial Day".
Being Polish American, my husband has great respect for Mr. Musial not only for his 22 seasons as one of the greatest Outfielder, First Baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals, but also because Musial is part Polish. His father was a Polish immigrant from Warsaw and his mother was a daughter of a Czech immigrant.
The above statue was originally dedicated in August 1968 outside the old Busch Stadium (1966-2005). It was moved to the current new Busch Stadium in 2006. We purchased a brick with inscriptions of our names, in hopes that 100 years or however long the stadium will last, people will know that we existed and had lived in St. Louis, Missouri.

Stan Musial's Number 6 was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963. During the 7th inning stretch, Mr. Musial played his ever famous harmonica, while the fans singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".