A trip to the Austin zoo!!

The Austin Zoo is a sanctuary for animals that had been owned privately or as "pets", such as lions, bear, monkeys, tigers, wolves, etc.  Some brilliant committee also suggested that the sanctuary allow chickens, roosters, peacocks, etc. to roam free, which has the effect of involving you in the experience of the "wild."  And, it gives little and big kids a reason to run after chickens!  (Addie and Michael).  Weather was perfect and lunch (made by Jenny) was wonderful!  This zoo is so user friendly, it even has a cart selling food, including snow cones that cost less than $2.  We can vouch for the orange and lemon lime.  Of course there is a charge to get in: $8 for adults and children older than 2, $6 for seniors (55 and older).  Well worth the price of admission.  Enjoy the pics!

 

The End

Sexual harassment in 2011

I am a social worker in Texas.  My clients are mostly young women and their children.  Recently, standing outside with a client, waiting for her ride, I was mortified at behaviors of males in cars.  Drive by gawkers and worse. She did not react to the sexual harassment, as if immune.  It started, for me, a conversation with my own two adult daughters and younger colleagues.  Similar stories.  Where have I been?  Maybe this is just Texas. (fingers crossed) 

Please don't tell me we are going to have to take to the streets again.  But if that's what it takes, I'm in.  I have one granddaughter and another granddaughter on the way.  God help the disrespectful, moronic male who harasses either one of them in my presence. 

This really pisses me off.

Donald Chump!

I am sure that if Donald Trump realized he would lose me as a loyal viewer of the current installment of Celebrity Apprentice, he would have thought twice about stirring the Birther pot.  He didn't, however, ask for my input before he started down this lowly, dead end road.   

I think I'll blame Gary Busey.  He's the weekly target of disdain on the men's side. For good reason, too.   I think Busey's crazy has rubbed off on The Donald.  And now I will never get to see Trump fire Gary Busey.  Thanks a lot Busey.  You should have kept your crazy to yourself.   Kindergarten rules, dude.

The show just doesn't have the same fun factor.  Sure, Trump has done other nutty things, but this Birther stuff is too way out there, even for Donald.  Sigh.

He leaves me no choice. I will boycott his show.  Donald Trump, you're fired!

(Of course I'm not against reading about who gets fired. I really hope Gary Busey leaves soon.  He adds nothing to him team.  Just ratings.  Marly Matlin is hands down the best celebrity EVER).

 

Shut'er down? Really?

Disclaimer: Our household runs on federal dollars.

In the words of Tom Brokaw (paraphrasing), not in his lifetime has a president had to govern in the midst of so many major events, catastrophic events, economic events.  Three wars now, earthquake and tsunami in Japan, bank collaspes, coroded housing market, unemployment through the roof, multiple Middle East government collapses, shaky US economy as a result of these multiple events.  The cost has been paid in human life and suffering.

It's too much.  We've said in this household, what could possibly happen next?

Government shutdown.  Cool.  The rogue (yes, I've taken back the word, see previous post on Sarah Palin) group of freshmen Republican Congressmen and women are demanding it.  Nothing short of putting millions out of work satisfy them.  It's a novice move and it looks as though they will get their victory. And for what purpose?  War?  Economy? Democracy?  Nope.  Because they are against abortion.  

I don't have a problem with their position against abortion. I don't agree it, but I especially don't agree with holding the national budget hostage until funding to Planned Parenthood is taken out of the budget.  There's a time and place to wage that war (committees before the budget goes to the floor, it's called democracy).

The Republicans likely will win this battle.  Shame on them.

Beautiful bluebonnets

Mika and Paul in Texas bluebonnets

The bluebonnets are just beginning to show themselves.  In the next couple of weeks they will be joined by other wildflowers, thanks to Lady Bird Johnson. 

We found the field above at Cedar Hill State Park between Arlington and Dallas. 

Dance, Addie Mae

Addie has learned all she knows about dancing from her Grandpa Paul!