Just Living

Apache Junction, AZ  High 75   Low 49

Okay, once again I wasn’t real clear in my last post. We are in our spot here in AJ, but we’re only here for about two weeks. Then we’re going down to Amado for a Rally. We’ll come back to our spot and Jim is going hunting in NM with his son in November. We’ll stay put til after the holidays and then we’ll be in Quartzsite and Yuma.

After that we’ll come back to our spot and then I’ll figure out where we’re going next and when. We don’t usually sit more than a couple of months before I cannot stand the hitch itch any longer. That’s one of the reasons I like having a spot where we can come and go whenever we want to. If medical issues come up we always have a place to go.

We went to see Aunt Happy. She felt bad because she hadn’t put her eyebrows and foundation on when I took her picture, but when I showed it to her she said it was not bad. She still has some pains from falling but feels pretty good. She’s really glad we’re back and told Jim that she would have a list of things for him to fix the next time we go to visit.

Barbara – I can’t believe I forgot to put her picture in. Thanks for letting me know.

Because we are doing just normal things involved with living, I won’t be blogging as much. I really enjoy those blogs of folks who have such a talent for writing but I’m definitely not one of them.

We had several things quit working on our journey back to AZ this year. Our oven, one propane tank, the generator, the toilet, the door to the microwave.

Jim got into the oven and figured out that a pipe had broken where this piece was supposed to fit.

He went to Ace Hardware and for $6 was able to get everything he needed to fix the oven. I am so grateful I am married to such a talented guy.

After finishing up with the oven he replaced the seal in the toilet so it holds water now. Hard water really does a number on those seals.

Jim had his PET scan today and we see the oncologist next week. I’ve been cleaning house. Boy did it need it. I’m also going through all the cupboards and drawers and getting rid of stuff. I  cannot believe how much stuff I can accumulate in such a small space.

We had a lot of wind and dust a couple of days ago and we just stayed inside with everything shut tight.

Last night we met up with Dianna and Bobbie for dinner. Good to see them again. No pictures because Dianna just won’t cooperate.

And that’s life at our house. Love this picture of Skitz.

Scooter always wants to be covered up and she doesn’t twist her nose when she gets a treat.

Back in AJ

Apache Junction, AZ  High 94  Low 65

We left Las Vegas Monday morning and drove 230 miles which is a long day for us. However, that only left us with 100 miles back to our spot.

We spent last night in Wickenburg at Constellation Park. It’s a city or county park with 31 boondocking sites for $5 a night. It’s a wonderful campground and overlooks Wickenburg so you have gorgeous views.

We were the only ones there and the police patrol the area. Very safe, quiet and beautiful. The sites are huge.

And look at this sunset to welcome us back to AZ. Every picture we took was incredible and I made Jim narrow it down to these two.

We arrived back at our spot about 11:30 and spent the rest of the afternoon visiting and doing nothing. It was wonderful. Going to see Aunt Happy in the morning.

Relaxin’

Las Vegas, NV  High 84   Low 52

That’s what we’ve been doing the last couple of days. Recuperating from all the exploring we’ve been doing this week.

We leave tomorrow and our plans are to stop in Wickenburg and then into AJ on Tuesday. It’ll be good to see everybody at the park again.

Got a call today from The Springs which is where Aunt Happy lives. She had fallen during the night and they took her to the ER. I don’t have any POA so they couldn’t tell me much at the hospital but when I asked the nurse if we should hurry back, she chuckled and said no, we didn’t need to to that.

I called her niece, Bonnie, who lives in Missoula, MT, to let her know. She has POA so she called the hospital and then called me back. Happy is doing fine. Sore and they are going to keep her for observation over night because she insisted upon that. She must have really good bones because she didn’t break anything and there are no fractures.

Today we’re watching football and putting stuff away so we can head out in the morning.

We Became TV Network Executives

Las Vegas, NV  High 72  Low 58

We had a cold front come through yesterday and last night with lots of 45 mph wind gusts. It’s still breezy today and definitely much cooler.

We didn’t really become Network Executives but we sure did have a fun time.

We headed out to the MGM Grand because I had read about this experience somewhere and thought it would be fun and it was free.

I took the following information from their website.

Ever thought you could do the job of a network executive, deciding which shows are put on the air and which ones end up in the waste bin? Network jobs are hard to come by, but you can weigh in on the decision-making process by letting your opinions be known at the CBS Television City Research Center at MGM Grand.

Participation is quite effortless. Viewers can pick up tickets in front of the research center. They then register at the counter in front of the center and line up about 10 minutes before their scheduled time.

Five minutes before the screening begins, viewers are led into one of four studios to watch the latest offerings from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon and other Viacom networks. Viewers then are instructed on how to use the test pads and monitors to register their opinions, and settle into the viewing process.

The show's length will determine the time of the testing process. A survey following the program lasts about 15 minutes, so viewers should expect an hour for an hour-long show.  And since everything is done through touch screen, you won't have to worry about your hand cramping up from writing. 

When we got there, we were the only two people in the screening. We got to rate the show Arrow which is on the CW network. Neither of us had ever seen the show before. Found out it was based on a comic book character and we both ended up liking the show. May have to check it out at home.

I totally forgot to take any pictures, but this was really a great way to spend an hour and half. However, it did take us about an hour to find the place – the MGM is HUGE. Then when we went to find our truck in the parking garage, neither of us could remember for sure where it was parked. We eventually found it and headed home to take care of the girls.

Speaking of the girls – Skittlez has this way of twisting her nose when you offer her a treat. We have been trying to capture that twist in a picture and it’s really not easy. But I think this one shows it quite well. Jim is sharing his shredded wheat with them. They love it.

The Most Photographed Sculpture in Las Vegas and Shelby Museum

Las Vegas, NV  High 83  Low 59

I think Jim is having way too much fun. This sculpture is at the Riviera Casino on the strip.

Saw these vehicles when we were out looking for the brain building.

They were also at the Mob Museum when we were there. That’s when we found out they are a tour scooter.

The Shelby Car Museum

I went with Jim to this museum mainly because it’s free. I’m sure glad I did because the stories behind the cars were fascinating.

The Series 1 is the only car ever produced by Carroll Shelby from a clean sheet of paper, and built from the ground up. All other Shelbys are re-engineered models produced by other manufacturers and modified by Shelby.

I admit some of the things the tour guide told us was way too technical for me, but Jim knew what he was talking about.

The 1962 Cobra – the first one built by Carroll Shelby. It has all it’s original parts but it has been painted several times. Shelby only had this one car but several different magazines wanted to interview him about the car. So he would do one interview, take the car back to the shop and have it repainted, and do the next interview. It gave investors and others the impression that he had several of these cars ready to go.

The story behind the G.T.350-Shelby and Ford reps were having difficult time coming to agreement on some of the specs of the car. Shelby and another guy took a break outside and Shelby asked him how far it was between the two buildings. The guy told him it was 350 feet. That was how the G.T. 350 was named – it had nothing to do with the engine.

Anybody want a Shelby golf cart?

If you want a Shelby, it can take up to two years from the time you place your order to receive the car.

The tour also took everybody out to where they manufacture the cars but no pictures were allowed. The tour lasted about an hour and we both enjoyed our time.

We met our good friends Peter and Steve for dinner and had a wonderful visit with them. However, we also learned that Peter has cancer and will begin chemo shortly. He has a wonderful attitude and is ready to get it over with. I’ve known Steve since 1969 when we met at a business college. He is a special education teacher and the kids just love him. It was so good to see them again.

Cleaning Up Vegas

Las Vegas, NV  High 88  Low 63

I’ve been trying to figure out what to say about the Mob Museum and I can only come up with “awesome”.

The museum requires a lot of reading and I must admit I had information overload. You could spend hours and hours and still have things to read.

They also have a lot of interactive presentations as well as movies to watch. It’s just incredible.

 

 

 

The following are a few items that I found extremely interesting.

The story behind the chair was that in the morning of  Oct. 25, 1957, Albert Anastasia was murdered in the Grasso Barber Shop at the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City.

The crime has never been solved, making it one of the great mysteries of mob lore. Anastasia, boss of the Gambino crime family, was the overlord of Murder Inc., which is reported to have enacted 400 to 700 murders. Anastasia’s was a rare “hit” in that it took place during the day, in a public forum and was the result of a leadership “dispute” between the Genovese and Gambino crime families.

The Tommy Gun – invented by John T. Thompson in 1919. The popularity of submachine guns with violent gangsters in the 1920s and 1930s was one of the main reasons given for passage of the National Firearms Act in 1934.

Jim got to try his hand at using one of them.

Remember punchboards?

Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre – February 14, 1929.

On February 14, 1929, five members of the North Side Gang run by Bugs Moran and a couple of gang groupies were lined up against the  wall of the garage at 2122 North Clark Street in Chicago's North Side, and execute; pumped with 90 bullets. It was the most infamous of all gangland slayings in America, and it savagely achieved its purpose--the elimination of the last challenge to Al Capone for the mantle of crime boss in Chicago.

Bugs Moran was not there because he was late leaving his apartment and arrived after the execution. The museum was able to acquire the actual wall where the men were shot.

Replica of the Electric Chair at Sing Sing.

We also got to meet Frank Cullotta. Frank was nicknamed “The Las Vegas Boss” and was an enforcer for the Chicago Outfit, leader of the “Hole in the Wall Gang”, and a good friend of mobster Tony Spilotro.

After being arrested, Frank turned states evidence and worked with the FBI to bring down Spilotro’s empire in Las Vegas. Frank was also a consultant on the film “Casino”. In that movie, Scorsese had Frank recreate the Lisner murder scene and the man you see chasing the victim around the house, is the real Frank Cullotta who committed the murder in real life but received immunity for his testimony.

We also bought his book – Cullotta, The Life of a Chicago Criminal, Las Vegas Mobster, and Government Witness. I just started the book but I can tell it’s going to be a great read.

It did cost us $32 to get in the museum and we parked in the lot next door which was $5. Worth every penny we spent and then some. Would I go back? Definitely.

Back To The Future

Las Vegas, NV  High 94  Low 60

Step BACK in time and challenge yourself with our version of video games. Jim and I went to the Pinball Hall of Fame this morning. Rows and rows of machines some dating from back in the 1950’s.

Sidney is ready for anybody who wants to challenge him to a pinball duel.

What a fantastic way to spend a couple of hours. Most of the games are 50 cents. A nice cheap way to bring back your youth.

Neither one of us did very good but Jim did a lot better than I did.

Forward to the FUTURE.

This building is the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, a 100 million dollar neurological research and treatment building, designed by architect Frank Gehry. It seems to me to be melting.

I also wanted to see Atlantis sinking into the ocean but that didn’t happen. We fought our way through all the traffic and the people to Caesar’s Palace only to find out that the production was being renovated.

This is the Fountain of the Gods:

I also wanted orange chicken from Panda Express and we stopped at Sam’s Town which has the closest Panda Express to the RV park. Sam’s Town has a waterfall (Mystic Falls) which comes alive several times a day.

Did you notice Sidney’s cousin up there on the left?

I didn’t sleep very good last night – just one of those nights. So we didn’t go to the Mob Museum today. I want to be wide awake and alert for that one.