Welcome to my "bougainvilla" tour. There are places in town with beautiful walls of color - bougainvilla flowers.



The color looks slightly different depending upon the time of day and whether it's foggy or sunny. Typical weather for this time of year is foggy until around noon then sunny the rest of the day.

I stuck a bunch of photos on Photobucket but I have no idea if they'll show up here. I waste more time trying to figure how to get photos on this dang blog. My gallery is full so I guess it's time to re-arrange things.



My right hand (and thumb) as well as my shoulder have been feeling weird lately because I spend too much time on the computer. As soon as I put my hand over the mouse, my hand feels tingley and begins to hurt.

That's why I haven't spent as much time here as usual and I haven't answered some of my e-mail (comments included). Sorry!!!

As you might be able to tell, I'm feeling a bit discouraged today. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well!

Take care! Lulublue

That was one good jazz festival! I had a fun time watching performances by my son's school, a friend's school, and helping out, like parents do fairly often.

Unfortunately, I did have an exhausting day and I've rested all day long. When I first woke up, I didn't think I'd be able to move - I knew it would hurt too much. And it did hurt - everywhere. That's a tough thing about fibromyalgia; it's not just any one spot. The pain is in every muscle in one's body. It's like the pain from a hard work-out, but it never goes away. I'm doing a bit better now but the day's winding down. I did some very worthwhile reading so it was a good day.

I do not have the scores and winners of the jazz competition categories. I will get them when I can and I will post them.
There was some excellent music, I can definitely tell you that!

Of the few performances that I heard, Dos Pueblos, Downey, San Marcos, and Santa Barbara were very good. CDs were available for the performances of each school for $10.00 which I thought was a great idea.

When it was my turn to help out, I was assigned to the booth selling t-shirts and CDs. That was fortunate because I was then able to 'work' and shop at the same time! I picked up a neat t-shirt, the CD of my son's performance, and 2 lapel-type pins saying Santa Barbara High School Jazz Festival. One, of course, now belongs to me and one to my son.

A big golden retriever was wandering around enjoying the fun and whatever food he could find. He managed to score a few bites of tri-tip sandwiches that were left unattended, at least while I was watching! He got a lot of "love pats" from people around there, too, before his owner came to take him home.

The band members all looked awesome, in my opinion. All were wearing black and the appearance on stage is striking. Some guys were in black suits and although it was warm for them, they looked fantastic. Teen years are so attractive, at least to me and to a few others - I'm sure.

I was watching The History Channel's program about Pol Pot, Cambodia, and the horrible torture he inflicted. It reminded me that I forgot to post this yesterday!

Thom Hartmann mentioned this on his AirAmerica program. At first, I had to laugh until I realized that this is most likely what Rove is planning, but I don't trust any of these GOP monsters - not one word out of their ... 'mouths'.

1. Make the Democrats responsible for the 'occupation' (bush calls it war), at least the bad parts. This makes sense - the delays and drama we've seen with Congress has been a set-up. That's why we're hearing people (especially right-wingers) say that the Dems "caved in" (they didn't) and other B.S. like that. Don't believe any of that crap. The GOP was singularly responsible for the lives lost (every last one) because of the struggle to get rid of Saddam as well as the occupation. They were responsible for the torture and the hatred of Americans that we have to now deal with.

2. Begin a 'change of strategy' this fall - pull out our military from the cities to go into the bases that have been built in Iraq. This should be completed by Summer 2008, before the elections (or no one will vote for any Republican, DUH!!...) Out of sight - out of mind. They'll still be there. The change of strategy, though, began when you and I elected a whole new Congress comprised of a majority of Democrats. We did it barely. So many people were 'stuck' because they'd voted for Bush the first time around but didn't want to a second; yet they didn't want to vote for a Democratic candidate (idiots... yes, you, too, if you were one of those.) There still is not a sufficient majority to override Bush's veto, though. We need to elect more next year.

3. Fall 2008, declare the occupation over but say this instead, "The war is over, we won". So ridiculous I don't need to add anything.

4. Push for lots of Republican votes (as well as keep minorities from voting and favors coming from corporate election connections i.e. Diebolt voting machines of 2004) because "we won the war". I can't imagine this but never in my wildest dream could I imagine Bush being president for these last long 6 years.

Here is Thom's excellent article from Common Dreams. X

I see it as our duty as loyal real Americans to get the truth of this out to everyone. I want to remind everyone exactly how many wrongs, crimes, and other horrors have been committed by these felons. I think the outing of Valerie Plame is about the worst of them. I personally think every member of the administration (including past neo-cons) should be impeached or kicked out on their butt, and their personal fortunes used to pay for the occupation and destruction of Iraq.

"As a sixteen year veteran of the Reserve/National Guard, I think this is an excellent presentation. It presents the situation in very clear terms. I am currently active duty and miss my family very much. I was involved in the Invasion of Iraq with the First Marine Division. I was activated for 18 months. Now I have five months to serve with the Air Force. I think that it is a personal decision for each family and member to serve. I will continue to serve for my twenty or more. I think that it is not political but Americans can do their part by cutting back on gasoline use, and praying for the Armed Forces. Gasoline is the primary product of the middle east and we should quite using it. Charlie.

Posted by chasriesse on Sun, May 27, 2007 7:35 PM"

TO READ MORE

Nothing needs to be added to that.