WE'VE BEEN TAGGED

FIRST I MUST SAY, "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING", ASKING YOUR FATHER TO PLAY TAG"!!!! THIS WAS DIFICULT FOR HIM, BECAUSE HE TENDS TO OVER (AND I MEAN OVER) ANALYZE THINGS WAY TOO MUCH, PLUS IT BECAME TWENTY QUESTIONS, IT IS REAL HARD FOR HIM TO BE SPONTANEOUS, AND JUST SAY THE FIRST THING THAT POPS INTO HIS MIND, UNLESS OF COURSE HE IS ANGRY, THEN THERE IS NO THINKING FIRST, BUT THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY.

1. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU "GREW-UP"? ........ ARE YOU THERE YET?

R. I DON'T REMEMBER EVER THINKING ABOUT THAT.

C. A MOMMY, DESIGNER, CAKE DECORATOR, HAIR STYLIST, NURSE (ALL OF WHICH YOU DO AS A MOM) PLUS THERE WAS THE FEW YEARS I WANTED TO BE A PREMA BALLERINA, IN JUNIOR HIGH I REALLY WANTED TO BE A WRITER, (SHORT STORY FICTION FOR KIDS), IN MY VERY EARLY TEEN YEARS MY DREAM WAS TO WORK AT SEA WORLD. (DOES TRYING TO SAVE SICK GOLD FISH, ONLY TO END UP FLUSHING THEM COUNT?????)

2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG TO DANCE TO WHILE NO ONE IS LOOKING? (YOU KNOW YOU DO IT........... IN THE CAR, WHILE CLEANING.....)

R. "I DON'T DANCE" BUT I LIKE TO CRANK MUSIC WHILE I'M DOING ANY TYPE OF WORK. A GOOD ONE TO SING TO THOUGH IS "TURN THE PAGE" BY BOB SEGER.

C. IT'S MORE LIKE SING & DANCE TO. IN THE CAR ANYTHING ROCK OR ALTERNATIVE, MY CURRENT FAV IS 30 SECONDS TO MARS, WHILE CLEANING ANY MUSIC WILL DO, TAKING A BATH OR RELAXING, ANYTHING SOFT, LOOKING IN A MIRROR WHILE GETTING DRESSED - "I LIKE BIG BUTTS"! (CHUKLE, CHUKLE)

3. YOU WAKE TO FIND THAT YOU HAVE A WHOLE DAY TO YOURSELF, TO DO WHAT EVER YOU WANT, WHAT DO YOU DO?

R. TAKE THE BOAT OUT, MAYBE DO SOME FISHING

C. TAKE THE BOAT OUT (WITHOUT THE FISHING), OR GO TO THE BEACH, WHAT EVER IT IS, MAKE THE MOST OF IT FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET. (SOMETIMES JUST SPENDING AN ENTIRE DAY IN BED IS A REAL TREAT TOO). (OF COURSE I THINK I WOULD RATHER DO THESE THINGS WITH DAD, INSTEAD OF ALL BY MYSELF).

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE "GUILTY" PLEASURE?

R. DEDICATING MY ENTIRE AFTERNOON TO WATCH NASCAR

C. SOME MIGHT SAY, "OVER INDULGING MY GRAND CHILDREN" BUT I LOVE TO DO IT.

5. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE CHORE?

R. ANY TYPE OF YARD WORK!

C. PUTTING GROCERIES AWAY AFTER A BIG SHOPPING TRIP (IS THAT WEIRD)!

THANKS, HEATHER FOR POINTING OUT THAT WE ARE BIG FAT LOOSERS, AND DON'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE TO PLAY TAG WITH, OTHER THAN THE PEOPLE YOU ALREADY TAGGED. (THANK YOUR SISTER KIDS) INSIDE JOKE. JK. HOWEVER, TO ALL WHAT "FOUR" OF YOU WHO READ THIS, THANK YOU FOR PLAYING TAG WITH US, IT WAS A LOT OF FUN! ON A SERIOUS NOTE, THANKS HEATHER, THIS WAS A REALLY COOL IDEA, KEEP THEM COMING. WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON YOU TO GET THE PARTY STARTED!

ANSWERS FOR WAY BACK WEDNESDAY POST!

MY FIRST CAR WAS LIKE THE GREEN DART PICTURED, ONLY A DARKER GREEN, I DON'T HAVE ANY PICTURES OF MINE THOUGH.

SO THE PICTURE OF THE GREEN DART & THE CHEVELLE & THE OLDSMOBILE WERE THE FAKES, WE REALLY DID HAVE CARS THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR AS THOSE, THE CHEVELLE WAS REAL ROUGH THOUGH, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PICTURES OF OUR ACTUAL CARS. THE VOLARE WAGON, WELL THE WOOD GRAIN ON IT WAS GETTING PRETTY RATTY LOOKING, SO MOM HAD THE GREAT IDEA TO BUY WOOD GRAIN LOOK CONTACT PAPER AND PUT THAT ON IT, SO THAT IS WHAT WE DID, IT WAS A TON OF HARD WORK, BUT THE END RESULT AFTER WE GOT IT ALL DONE, IT LOOKED GOOD.

MOM'S FIRST CAR WAS THE AUDI, IT WAS REALLY HER FAMILY CAR, BUT WHEN SHE STARTED DRIVING THAT IS THE CAR SHE WOULD DRIVE.

WE HAD THE BLUE DART & THE CHARGER WHEN WE FIRST GOT MARRIED. THE DART WAS WHITE WHEN I BOUGHT IT, BUT AFTER I GOT HIT 2 WEEKS AFTER BUYING IT, I PAINTED IT BLUE.

YEP, THE BAJA BUG I BUILT AND PAINTED YOU KIDS WANTED TO CALL KERMITT BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE A FROG.

MOM LEARNED TO DRIVE A STICK (IF YOU COULD CALL IT THAT, IT WAS A 3 SPEED ON THE TREE), IN THE BLUE DART, SHE HATED TO DRIVE IT THOUGH, SO SHE REALLY LEARNED, WHEN I BOUGHT HER THE CAPRI.

YOU WERE ALL RIGHT THE NOVA MOBIL WAS THE ONE WITH THE SONG, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW YOU KIDS AND MOM HAD A SONG ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME.

HEATHER YOU LEARNED TO DRIVE IN THE SUBURBAN (BIG TRUCK-LITTLE GIRL) PEOPLE WERE ALWAYS AMAZED ABOUT THAT. HOLLIE YOU DID LEARN IN HEATHER'S TOYOTA. NICK YOU DID LEARN MOSTLY IN MOM'S DODGE TRUCK AND SOME IN THE CHEVY Z71. MOM WAS THE ONE WHO TOOK YOU GUYS OUT THE MOST, TO TEACH YOU. YOU GUYS MADE ME NERVOUS, AND THEN I GUESS I WOULD MAKE YOU NERVOUS.

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE VEHICLES MY 69 EL CAMINO SS, AND MY CHEVY Z71. I WISH I STILL HAD ALOT OF MY CARS BUT IF I COULD PICK JUST ONE, IT WOULD BE THE EL CAMINO. MOM'S FAVORITES, HER DODGE TRUCK SHE HAS NOW, HER CHARGER, MY CHARGER AND THE NOVA. IF SHE COULD HAVE ONE CAR STILL SHE COULDN'T CHOOSE BETWEEN HER NOVA AND MY CHARGER.

IT WAS OUR BUICK LA SABRE THAT WAS POSSESED. IT ALL STARTED THAT SUMMER WE TOOK OUR FAMILY TRIP TO DISNEYLAND, AND THEN TO MEET GRANDPA & GRANDMA MARTIN IN LAUGHLIN NEVADA. WE ALL HAD TO RIDE HOME WITH GRANDPA & GRANDMA MARTIN IN POP'S EL CAMINO, BECAUSE THE CAR BROKE DOWN IN LAKE HAVASU, THEN GRANDPA AND I DROVE BACK TO TOW IT HOME. HE WAS ALWAYS THERE WHEN I NEEDED HIM.

I HAVE HAD IN EXCESS OF FIFTY VEHICLES, AFTER FIFTY I HAVE EVEN LOST COUNT.

I DO LOVE VEHICLES.

WAY BACK WEDNESDAY

CARS FROM OUR PAST - OR - ARE THEY?

CAN YOU FIGURE IT OUT?

SOME OF THESE CARS WE OWNED, SOME MIGHT JUST BE LIKE ONES WE OWNED, SOME MAY BE ONES WE NEVER OWNED, DO YOU KNOW?

DO YOU KNOW WHICH CAR WAS MY VERY FIRST CAR?

DO YOU KNOW WHICH CAR WAS MOM'S VERY FIRST CAR?

DO YOU KNOW WHICH CAR'S WE HAD WHEN WE FIRST GOT MARRIED?

DO YOU KNOW WHICH CAR WE NAMED AFTER A MOPPET?

DO YOU KNOW WHICH CAR MOM LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE A STICK SHIFT IN?

DO YOU REMEMBER WHICH CAR YOU HAD A SONG ABOUT?

SOME OF THEM HAD NAMES CAN YOU NAME THEM?

IS THE CAR YOU LEARNED TO DRIVE IN HERE?

WHICH VEHICLE DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOST?

WHICH VEHICLE DO YOU WISH WE STILL HAD TODAY?

ANY IDEA WHICH VEHICLES WERE MY FAVORITES?

ONE OF THIS CARS WAS POSSESSED AND HAD TO HAVE A LABOTOMY, DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONE?

ANY IDEA HOW MANY VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAIDSTER!

OUR MEMORIES OF YOUR BIRTH.

WE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR ANOTHER SWEET LITTLE BABY TO JOIN OUR FAMILY. YOU DID GIVE US A FEW SCARES DURING THE NINE MONTHS WE WERE WAITING TO MEET YOU. WE WERE ALL SO EXCITED WHEN WE FOUND OUT YOU WERE ANOTHER BABY BOY!

THE NIGHT YOU WERE BORN, LAS VEGAS WAS HAVING A REALLY BIG STORM, (MONSOON-SEASON) IT HAD BEEN RAINING HARD ALL DAY, WITH STRONG WINDS TOO, THERE WAS A LOT OF FLOODING ALL OVER THE VALLEY. YOUR MOMMY AND BLAISE WERE AT HOME, WHICH WAS AT THE FAR EAST SIDE OF THE VALLEY, YOUR DADDY WAS WORKING WAY OVER ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE VALLEY, GRANDPA WAS AT HOME AND UNCLE NICK, AUNT HOLLIE AND GRANDMA WERE ALL STILL AT WORK.

JUST A LITTLE BIT AFTER I GOT HOME FROM WORK AUNT HOLLIE CALLED AND SAID SHE WAS GOING TO COME OVER TO OUR HOUSE, BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT THAT THE ROADS GOING TO HER HOUSE MIGHT BE FLOODED OUT, SO IT MIGHT BE SAFER TO COME OVER TO OUR HOUSE SINCE IT WAS CLOSER TO HER WORK. A LITTLE BIT AFTER THAT MOMMY CALLED AND SAID SHE WAS IN LABOR, SHE HAD ALREADY CALLED YOUR DADDY, AND HE WAS GOING TO TRY AND MAKE IT HOME, TO GET MOMMY AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL. UNDLE NICK WENT OVER TO HELP MOMMY AND BLAISE WHEN HE GOT OFF WORK. WE THOUGHT MOMMY MIGHT HAVE TO CALL AN AMBULANCE TO TAKE HER TO THE HOSPITAL. DADDY MADE IT HOME, AND FINALLY FOUND SOME ROADS OPEN (I THINK ONE OF THE ROADS WAS EVEN CLOSED, BUT DADDY KNEW HE HAD TO GET MOMMY TO THE HOSPITAL). IT WAS STILL VERY STORMY OUTSIDE. UNCLE NICK STAYED WITH BLAISE, AND AUNT HOLLIE AND I HEADED TO THE HOSPITAL, WE MADE ONE STOP ON THE WAY, (WE GOT DADDY SOMETHING FOR DINNER, HE HADN'T HAD ANYTHING TO EAT ALL DAY). WE GOT TO THE HOSPITAL JUST IN TIME, BECAUSE NOT TO MUCH LATER YOU WERE BORN.

GRANDMA WAS THERE WHEN YOU WERE BORN, YOU CAME INTO THIS WORLD SO SWEET AND GENTLE, YOU WERE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! BEAUTIFUL!

WHEN I HELD YOU IN MY ARMS THAT FIRST TIME, I KNEW RIGHT THEN I WAS IN LOVE, YOU HAD STOLEN MY HEART. I KNEW RIGHT THEN YOU WERE SPECIAL, SO SWEET, AND SO FRESH FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. I KNEW THAT GRANDPA MARTIN HAD BEEN WATCHING OVER YOU TOO!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH CAIDEN, YOU ARE SUCH A SWEET AND LOVING BOY. YOU ARE OUR LITTLE SNUGGLE-BUG.

SOMETIMES, YOU STILL GIVE US SOME SCARES THOUGH!

BAPA & BAMMA LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, YOU ARE OUR SPECIAL LITTLE GUY.

HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY!!!! WE HOPE YOU BOUGHT SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY WANTED WITH YOUR BIRTHDAY MONEY, HAVE A REALLY FUN DAY.

HUGS & KISSES XXXXXX OOOOOO

WAY BACK WEDNESDAY!

DAD, HEATHER & HOLLIE WITH GREAT-GRANDMA VAN RIJ (1980)

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU GIRLS AND I MET DAD'S GRANDMA VAN RIJ, I WAS NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT, AND DAD HAD NOT SEEN HER FOR A VERY LONG TIME. WE WERE ON A FAMILY TRIP HEADING TO IDAHO TO SPEND A COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH GREAT-GRANDPA & GREAT-GRANDMA HAMPSON, ALSO GRANDPA & GRANDMA MARTIN. DAD REALLY WANTED TO STOP BY UTAH TO SEE HIS GRANDMA. HE HAD FOND MEMORIES OF HER, FROM WHEN HE WAS LITTLE. (I GUESS SHE MADE A BREAD PUDDING TO DIE FOR).

SHE GREETED US WITH BIG HUGS AND SHE WELCOMED US INTO HER HOME, AND RIGHT AWAY OFFERED US SOMETHING TO EAT. SHE TOOK RIGHT TO YOU GIRLS, SHE LOVED CHILDREN. WE HAD A VERY WONDERFUL VISIT, AND WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR US TO LEAVE SHE ASKED FOR US TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH HER, SO WE COULD VISIT SOME MORE. WE REGRETFULLY DECLINED AND SHE LOOKED SO SAD TO SEE US GO.

I WAS ONLY AROUND HER A FEW TIMES, BUT SHE LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON MY HEART. I WISH I HAD THE CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW HER BETTER, AND KNOW MORE ABOUT HER.

TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS BLOG, THIS IS WHY FAMILY HISTORY, JOURNALING OR JUST WRITING DOWN OUR THOUGHTS AND STORIES IS SO IMPORTANT. A FEW YEARS BACK WE WERE GIVEN A FEW PAGES OF MEMORIES THAT GREAT-GRANDMA VAN RIJ HAD PUT DOWN IN HER OWN WORDS. SHE SAID IN THEM, SHE ALMOST QUIT AND DIDN'T WRITE ANY MORE, BECAUSE LOOKING AT IT SHE SAW ALL THE MISSPELLED WORDS. I AM SO GREATFUL SHE DIDN'T LET THAT STOP HER. I DON'T EVEN NOTICE THE MISSPELLED WORDS, I JUST LOVE THAT I GET A GLIMPS AT WHO SHE WAS, AND WHAT SHE HAD TO ENDURE IN HER LIFE.

HERE ARE A FEW EXCERPTS FROM HER WRITINGS;

FRANCES CORNELIA KOOYMAN AHLGREEN VAN RIJ WAS BORN MARCH 6, 1909.
(SO ALL THESE EXCERPTS WERE FROM THE EARLY 1900'S).

I HAD A BROTHER JOHN, WHEN HE WAS A BABY MY MOTHER NEVER HAD BUT VERY LITTLE TO EAT IN HER HOME. SHE WEIGHED ONLY 109 LBS. AND WAS TRYING TO NURSE JOHN. SHE WAS ALSO PREGNANT AT THIS TIME WITH ALBERT ANOTHER BROTHER. JOHN WAS CRYING, HE WAS HUNGRY. MY MOTHER LIVED WITH HER MOTHER IN-LAW IN A ROOM SHE LET MOTHER LIVE IN. HEARING MY BROTHER CRYING, MY GRANDMOTHER THREW A PIECE OF BREAD THROUGH THE TRANSOM AND SAID GIVE THIS TO HIM. WHILE AT THE TIME SHE WAS COOKING STEAK AND A NICE DINNER FOR HER FAMILY. MY MOTHER WAS ALSO VERY HUNGRY, BUT SHE GAVE THE BREAD TO JOHN.

MY MOTHER TOOK IN WASHINGS TO TRY AND GET A LITTLE MONEY FOR FOOD FOR HER AND THE CHILDREN.

AFTER ALBERT WAS BORN MOTHER HAD NO WORK AND WAS CRYING WITH HUNGER, AND JOHN WAS ASKING FOR BREAD. MOTHER HAD TO TELL JOHN SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY FOOD TO GIVE HIM. MOTHER HAD TO GO OUT AND BEG FOR FOOD, ONE TIME SHE EVEN DECIDED TO GO STEAL SOMETHING FOR THEM TO EAT. HOPING SHE WOULD GET ARRESTED SHE WENT ON SOME PEOPLES BACK PORCH AND THEY HAD AN ICE BOX ON THE PORCH. MOTHER TOOK HALF A DOZEN EGGS AND A FEW MORE LITTLE THINGS. SHE TOOK THEM HOME TO COOK SOME FOR HER BABIES AND MY DAD CAME IN AND SAID EGGS! WHERE DID YOU GET THEM, AND PROMPTLY COOKED ALL SIX FOR HIMSELF AND ATE THEM. MOTHER CRIED AND SAID I STOLE THEM FOR THE CHILDREN.

WHEN MOTHER WAS PREGNANT WITH ME, SHE TOOK IN WASHING AND IRONING AS LONG AS SHE COULD, SHE DID ALL THE WASH ON A WASH BOARD. MOTHER HAD NO WOOD TO HEAT HER WATER WITH, SO SHE WENT OUT LOOKING FOR SOME. SHE FOUND A PLACE WHERE THEY WERE BUILDING A LARGE HOUSE. FAR ALONG WITH CHILD SHE CLIMBED UP A LADDER TO THE SECOND FLOOR WERE SHE FOUND QUITE A FEW PIECES OF WOOD. SHE FILLED HER APRON WITH THEM AND HEADED TO THE LADDER, SHE REALIZED SHE COULD NOT GET DOWN THE LADDER WITH THE WOOD. SO SHE DROPPED ALL THE WOOD DOWN THE OPENING AND CLIMBED DOWN AND PICKED IT ALL UP AGAIN.

I REMEMBER ONE TIME WHEN I WAS FOUR, MY COUSIN GIRTIE (WHO WAS ABOUT THE SAME AGE) AND I WENT INTO SOME EMPTY HOUSES THAT DURING THE SUMMER GYPSIES LIVED IN. WE FOUND SOME SUGAR LUMPS ON THE FLOOR AND WE ATE THEM. WHEN WE TOLD UNCLE MACK WE HAD EATEN THEM HE SAID THEY WERE PROBABLY POISON, PEOPLE USED TO PUT STRYCHNINE IN SUGAR LUMPS TO KILL RATS. I GUESS THERE WAS NO POISON IN THOSE SUGAR LUMPS BEDAUSE I AM NOW 68 1/2 YEARS OLD! (AT THE TIME SHE WROTE THIS)

WHEN I WAS ABOUT FIVE OR SO WE HAD BEEN TO LAGOON, A MAN CLIMBED A LADDER AND DOWSED HIMSELF WITH GASOLINE AND LIT FIRE TO HIM SELF AND DOVE IN A BIG TANK OF WATER. A FEW DAYS LATER SOME BOYS PUT GASOLINE ALL OVER MY BROTHER JOHN (WHO WAS ABOUT TEN AT THE TIME) THEY LIT A MATCH TO HIM AND HE WAS ALL IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NONE WATER AROUND. THE BOYS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. JOHN ROLLED IN THE DIRT AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. HE NEARLY LOST BOTH HIS ARMS. LOTS OF PEOPLE WANTED TO HELP MOTHER AND JOHN, ONE WOMAN POURED TUPENTINE OVER HIS ARMS, ANOTHER POURED BLUING OVER THEM. BY THE TIME THE DR. ARRIVED HE LOOKED AT JOHN AND SAID, WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST KILL HIM AT ONCE. HE WAS SO MAD AT THOSE WOMEN. HE CARRIED THICK SCARS PAST HIS ELBOWS THE REST OF HIS LIFE. MOTHER PUT JOHNS SHIRT IN THE STOVE TO BURN IT, WHAT WAS LEFT OF IT, IT WAS NO GOOD ANYMORE, JOHN HAD 2 BULLETS IN HIS SHIRT POCKET, MOTHER DIDN'T KNOW THAT AND THEY EXPLODED IN THE STOVE, GOOD THING IT DIDN'T PLOW THE WHOLE HOUSE UP.

THESE WRITINGS ALONG WITH STORIES OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE TOLD ARE PRICELESS TO ME, THEY GIVE ME INSIGHT TO A WOMEN I NEVER REALLY HAD THE CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW. I CAN LEARN ABOUT HER AND KNOW ABOUT HER LIFE. I CAN LEARN ABOUT THINGS SHE ENDURED, THINGS THAT MADE HER WHO SHE WAS. SHE HAD A VERY FASCINATING LIFE, BUT YET NONE OF IT SEEMED TO EFFECT HER IN A NEGATIVE WAY. I AM SO GREATFUL SHE TOOK THE TIME TO WRITE A FEW OF HER MEMORIES, FOR ALL OF HER FUTURE GENERATIONS TO READ.

SO EVERYONE GET WRITING! LET YOUR FUTURE GENERATIONS KNOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR LIFE. WE ALL HAVE A STORY TO TELL, WHAT'S YOURS?

FUN, FANTASTIC, & FREE SHOW TONIGHT!

BE SURE NOT TO MISS OUT ON THE METEOR SHOWERS THIS WEEKEND (LATE SUNDAY NIGHT - EARLY MONDAY MORNING).

TONIGHTS "NATURE'S FIREWORKS" SHOW, PROMISES TO BE A DAZZLING SHOW, PROVIDED YOU'RE FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM CITY LIGHTS. WITH NO MOON IN SIGHT TO INTERFERE, SKYGAZERS CAN EXPECT TO SPOT STREAKING FIREBALLS LATE SUNDAY INTO EARLY MONDAY REGARDLESS OF TIME ZONE.

THIS WEEKEND'S PERSEID METEOR SHOWER COINSIDES WITH A NEW MOON, WHICH MEANS THE SKIES WILL BE DARK AND PERFECT FOR VIEWING METEORS.

In astronomical terminology, the New Moon is the lunar phase that occurs when the Moon, in its monthly orbital motion around Earth, lies between Earth and the Sun, and is therefore in conjunction with the Sun as seen from Earth. At this time, the illuminated half of the Moon faces directly toward the Sun, and the dark or unilluminated portion of the Moon faces directly toward Earth, so that the Moon is invisible as seen from Earth.

AS A SPECIAL TREAT MARS WILL ALSO BE VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE. MARS WILL BE VISIBLE AS A BRIGHT RED DOT IN THE NORTHEASTERN SKY.

ASTRONOMERS ESTIMATE AS MANY AS 60 METEORS PER HOUR COULD FLIT ACROSS THE SKY AT THE SHOWER'S PEAK.

THE PERSEID SHOWER GETS ITS NAME FROM THE CONSTELLATION PERSEUS BECAUSE THE METEORS APPEAR TO ORIGINATE THERE. THE ANNUAL PERSEID SHOWER OCCURS WHEN THE EARTH'S ORBIT CROSSES THE PATH OF DEBRIS THROWN OFF BY COMET SWIFT - TUTTLE. AS THE COSMIC JUNK, MANY THE SIZE OF RAIN OF SAND, ENTERS THE ATMOSPHERE, IT BURNS UP IN A FLASH, APPEARING AS "SHOOTING STARS" ACROSS THE SKY.

UNLIKE OTHER CELESTIAL SIGHTINGS THAT REQUIRE A TELESCOPE OR BINOCULARS, THE BEST WAY TO WATCH A METEOR SHOWES IS WITH THE NAKED EYE.

SINCE PERSEID METEORS CAN BE SEEN FROM ANY DIRECTION IN THE SKY, VIEWERS SHOULD PICK AN AREA WITH A OPEN SKY VIEW, A DARK PATCH OF SKY FREE OF LIGHT POLLUTION, LIE BACK, GAZE INTO THE STARS, BE PATIENT, AND WAIT FOR THE METEORS TO APPEAR. USUALLY STRAIGHT UP.

HAPPY VEIWING - ENJOY!

WAY BACK WEDNESDAY

FAMILY FUN ~ ATV STYLE

WHEN THE KIDS WERE YOUNGER WE GOT ATV'S. WE WOULD TAKE THEM OUT ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND, AND A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR WE WOULD HEAD OUT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO GLAMIS CALIFORNIA OR CALICO CALIFORNIA. WE WOULD LOAD UP THE BIKES, BUGGY'S, LOAD UP THE TRUCKS, TENTS, CAMPERS, MOTOR HOMES, FOOD, KIDS & OFF WE WENT. WHEN THE KIDS STARTED RIDING HEATHER WAS AROUND NINE, HOLLIE ABOUT SEVEN AND NICK WAS JUST TWO. AT FIRST MY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WERE WORRIED & SCARED, THEY DIDN'T LIKE IT AT ALL. HOWEVER, ROBBY & I BOTH KNEW WHAT WAS AT STAKE, AND WE TOOK EVERY PRECAUTION WE COULD, THERE WERE RULES, PLENTY OF THEM, AND IF YOU WANTED TO RIDE YOU WOULD ABIDE BY THEM. OF COURSE THERE IS ALWAYS THE CHANCE OF AN ACCIDENT, BUT WITH SUCH PRECIOUS CARGO, WE ELIMINATED MOST ALL OF THE RISKS. WE TAUGHT THE KIDS THE SAFETY OF RIDING, AND HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO FOLLOW IT, AND OF THE DANGER AND HARM THAT COULD COME IF THEY IGNORED THESE RULES, THEY WERE TAUGHT A VERY HEALTHY RESPECT FOR THE MACHINE, THEY KNEW IT'S LIMITS AND THEIRS, AND THEY STAYED WITHIN THEM. (A LESSON MOM HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY, BUT I LEARNED IT) THAT WAS THE RULES, BREAK THEM AND YOU DON'T GET TO RIDE. I CAN SAY THAT NOT ONE OF OUR THREE KIDS WERE EVER HURT WHILE RIDING, NOW THEIR MOTHER, WELL, THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY. THE FIRST DAY WE GOT THE QUAD, UNCLE BILLY, DAD & I WERE OUT IN THE YARD RIDING IT, WE LIVED WAY OUT IN THE COUNTRY ON 5 ACRES AT THE TIME, I LIVING A MOST SHELTERED LIFE PRIOR, HAD NEVER BEEN ON ANY TYPE OF A BIKE WITH A MOTOR, SO AFTER A QUICK LESSON, I JUMPED ON, AND I WAS HOOKED, THE RUSH, THE THRILL, THE POWER, THE EXCITEMENT IT WAS AWESOME, SO AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF WATCHING THE BOYS GO UP THIS ONE HILL, I THOUGHT "I CAN DO THAT", WELL MY JUDGEMENT WAS OFF, THEY WERE GOING UP SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AT AN ANGLE, I DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO THAT SO I TRIED IT, STRAIGHT UP. WELL YOU CAN GUESS THE REST, BEING INEXPERIENCED I BROUGHT THE BIKE RIGHT UP OVER THE TOP OF ME, WELL, IT WAS NEW, I HAD TO SAVE IT, YEAH RIGHT, WHAT WAS I THINKING, HAD I JUST DITCHED THE BIKE WE WOULD HAVE BOTH BEEN FINE BUT KNOW I HAD TO SAVE THE BIKE, WITH MY RIBS, YEP, YOU GOT IT, CRACKED RIBS ON MY LEFT SIDE, AS FOR THE BIKE, IT WAS FINE, AND I LEARNED A VERY VALUABLE LESSON, ONE THAT TOOK A VERY LONG TIME TO HEAL, NOT TO MENTION I WAS SOOOOO EMBARRASSED. NICK WAS SO DARN CUTE, WHEN WE FIRST STARTED GOING OUT, HE WASN'T QUITE TWO YET, SO HE WOULD ALMOST ALWAYS RIDE WITH MOM, (I WAS A MUCH BETTER & SMARTER RIDER NOW) AND EVERY SINGLE TIME WE WOULD GET OUT OF CAMP ONLY ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES, NICK WOULD FALL A SLEEP IN MY ARMS, SO I WOULD SIGNAL TO THE OTHERS, AND TURN AROUND AND HEAD SLOWLY BACK TO CAMP, HOLDING HIS HEAD UP WITH ONE ARM AND DRIVING WITH MY OTHER. ONE OF THE PICTURES IS OF THIS. (TOO DARN CUTE) OF COURSE HE QUICKLY OVER CAME THAT, AND GOT OLDER, AND BIG ENOUGH TO RIDE OUR LITTLE QUAD ALL BY HIM SELF, HE WAS A NATURAL. WE WOULD RIDE AND PLAY ALL DAY, GATHER ROUND FOR DINNER, DESSERT & FUN & GAMES AT NIGHT. A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. WE EVEN GOT MY PARENTS TO GO OUT WITH US A FEW TIMES, AND WE GOT THEM ON THE ATV'S, (THERE IS A PICTURE OF THAT) DOSEN'T MY DAD'S SMILING FACE JUST SAY IT ALL. NOW, IF YOU KNOW MY PARENTS YOU KNOW JUST HOW COOL THIS WAS, MY MOTHER DOESN'T EVEN DRIVE A CAR! SO THIS WAS AWESOME. MY PARENTS ARE THE COOLEST, MOST FUN PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE ALWAYS A BLAST TO HAVE AROUND. OUR ONE FRIEND LOVED TO TAKE THE KIDS OUT IN HIS DUNE BUGGY AND TRY TO SCARE THE DAY LIGHTS OUT OF THEM, THE MORE THEY SCREAMED THE MORE HE LOVED IT. EVERYONE KNEW IF YOU GO FOR A RIDE WITH STEVE BRING A PILLOW, OR YOU WILL BE REALLY SORE LATER. COUSIN GREGORY WAS ALWAYS CLOSE BY, KEEPING AN EYE ON EVERYONE, AND LENDING A HAND. (SUCH A SWEETIE)
COUSIN MATT GOT HURT AND HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL ONCE WHEN WE WERE OUT, (NO NOT RIDING, HE FELL OUT OF A BUNK BED ONE NIGHT AND SPLIT HIS HEAD - HONEST, GO FIGURE). WHO REMEMBERS THE INCIDENT OF THE BIKE INTO THE MOTOR HOME, SPLIT OPEN EYE, SUPER GLUE (YES, I SAID SUPER GLUE) AND WET WASH RAG STUCK TO EYE? SCARY AT THE TIME, BUT FUNNY AS ALL GET OUT LATER. THE PERSON WAS SUCH A GOOD SPORT ABOUT IT, WHAT A SWEETHEART. REMEMBER THE GOURMET MEALS GRANDMA WOULD MAKE, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE! AUNT MARCIA'S FAMOUS KISSES. OR REMEMBER THE GEKO LIZARD THAT LET EVERY ONE PET IT EXCEPT NICK AND IT LATCHED ON TO HIS FINGER AND WE THOUGHT WE WERE NEVER GOING TO PRY THAT THING OFF HIM! OR THE TIME DAD FOLLOWED GREG II INTO THAT WAY DEEP SAND BOWL, AND IT TOOK THE TWO OF THEM LIKE A HALF HOUR TO GET OUT OF IT, I THOUGHT THEY WERE NEVER GOING TO GET OUT OF THERE. I LOVED RIDING DAD'S SOUPED UP THREE WHEELER, BUT IF I STALLED THE DARN THING I COULD NEVER GET IT STARTED AGAIN, IT HAD ONE STIFF KICK, ONCE I HAD TO WAIT FOR SOME OTHER RIDERS TO COME ALONG AND RESCUE ME, EVEN THAT GUY HAD A REALLY HARD TIME STARTING IT, THAT BIKE WOULD SCREAM THOUGH, MAN IT WAS FUN. OH MY GOSH, WE HAD SOME REALLY GREAT & FUN TIMES. HOPE YOU KIDS LOOK BACK ON THESE TRIPS WITH FOND MEMORIES TOO!

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