I'm standing in Daph's field of pumpkins. I do miss all the green back in Ohio. 

Baby pumpkins! 

I do miss the sunsets in Ohio. This is behind Daph's house. 

My friend Daph and her daughter in the Heartland where they bail hay and hoe pumpkins. 

Yes, I'm standing in a corn field. It's Ohio, that's what it looks like for miles and miles. By the way that's "Field" corn not "Sweet" corn. I actually learned the difference:) 

Bob Evans Biscuits & Gravy............ my favorite! Cures any hangover:) 

Bob Evans Restaurant 

I just got back from Ohio last night. The corn isn't the only thing growing back there anymore. Things certainly have changed, my hometown has expanded like crazy! They have Lone Star, Applebee's, and Ruby Tuesdays. Gone was the Dunkin donuts, Pickway, and Foodtown. Everyone has a bike and there is no "Helmet" Law protecting them from themselves!. You can still smoke in a restaurant, in a bar, near a public building. Don't get me wrong, I can't stand smoke, but at least they have more freedom back there. A few cities have passed ordinances banning smoking in restaurants, but it was strange being asked " Smoking or Non" everytime I went to Bob Evans for my favorite.............. Biscuits & Sausage Gravy! I think I gained 5 pounds, good thing Mimi's Cafe out here (owned by Bob Evans) hasn't added it to their menu.
Anyway, I had a great time but I'll have to post more later................ off to the doctor to see how well my broken hand has healed.

I played all last week in and on the water. It's hard to get back into the swing of things and catch up on paperwork. My back is killing me on top of that (of course,) but I had a such a fun time in between body aches. I need major distractions so I don't have time to think about everything that's wrong with me:)

Everyone having a blast at Topock Marina in Arizona.

It was so beautiful on the lake, I want to back already!

Finally, now I know where the London Bridge is................... in Lake Havasu.

Can you believe that last week was my first trip to Lake Havasu? What a great place, I had the best time!

Hanging out in the river at Laughlin.

Security was tight in Laughlin with deva's patron "Tee" Man. He did manage to keep me out of trouble:)

These were the most fun people to hang out with during the slot tournament in Laughlin last week. I actually came in 16th place, which is better than I normally do. I just love going to Laughlin, the river is freezing and it's 120 degrees outside...... perfect! Winning money helps along with great food, service, and genuine people!
I just love those Blazing 7's! They seem to come up every time I go.

I'm sooo behind with everything, I'll update shortly!!

I didn't think I could make it through last week. Two wedding receptions, a dart banquet, off to the doctors that can't figure out what's wrong with me, a trip to the hospital to visit a dear friend who just had surgery, and a funeral. That's leaving out all the legal stuff. Uhhhggg!

At the funeral I felt like it wasn't real. How could a friend you just shared a drink and a laugh with a few weeks ago be gone, just like that. The weirdest part was the fact that Larry H Parker made me cry. My friend Jim worked for him for 15 years. Larry told a story that just got the water works going. Not what I expected from the Attorney in the TV commercials that promises "to fight for you!" That followed by " Crying in the Chapel" by Elvis, just made it somehow okay as I looked in the back of the Chapel and saw all his friends standing there. The hardest part was shaking the hands of his devastated young children on the way out. It reminded me of how I felt at my own father's funeral. That's got to be the worst feeling I can relate to, losing your Dad. I'm glad I went there, I would want all my friends to show up at my send off. Only I think I would have everyone come to deva's and throw a big party to celebrate my life. Just play some Gypsy Kings and have a good time telling all the funny stories about me. That's the way to be remembered.

Congrats Jim & Cindy! 

Hold on Cindy! 

The happy couple! 

Okay, maybe a little too much Champagne:) 

I went to Cook's last night for "Bike Night," there were some nice bikes! Cook's is a bar & restaurant at the end of a beautiful drive through the canyon. They have bands, picnic tables, sawdust on the floor........... but I think my favorite thing is the port-a-potties out back:) It's a fun place to go if you like bikers, beer, and broads. Well, okay so I was sipping a Stoli and there were some good looking young people there as well. The ride back was the best part. There's just something about watching the sunset on the back of a Harley:)

Congratulations to deva's patrons, and good friends, Cindy & Jim on getting married on Tuesday. We had a little reception at the bar on Tuesday night. We are going to miss them, Jim is moving her to Texas where he moved last year.

I'm sad and frankly shocked that a friend of mine just passed away. He was having some problems and finally seemed to be getting his act together. Now he's gone. Apparently he was helping put out the brush fires and died somehow. I am going to put his name here in case anyone knows him that is reading this, his funeral is on Friday. E-mail me if you need the address. He was a nice guy, always the life of the party, he hung out at the Claimjumper, Chat Noir, and a few other places around South Coast Plaza.
Jim Rowley will be missed by many friends!

Good friends and a great band at the Hideout yesterday. 

Out at the Hideout. 

Jaime's Birthday bash at deva's Saturday night. 

Just some fun guys I met at Outback steakhouse.  

A friend of mine sent me another awesome link to check out:

http://www.wtv-zone.com/Mary/THISWILLMAKEYOUPROUD.HTML

There's so many good sites out there that show you the real stories.

I'm still waiting to hear from a friend of mine visiting London, the mood there must be a bit erie and quite scary. The "Tube" is already spooky enough with the dampness and humidity down there. I feel so sorry for all those people, my heart certainly goes out to them and their families. The British seem to be handling this rather well by going on with their daily lives the way they are portrayed on TV with their stiff upper lip. I guess you have to, we eventually did here. That's why it's called Freedom. What happened was just plain murder by evil cowards.

Once again, something like this puts perspective on your own life. What's really important? Count your blessings. I'm just thrilled to have my hand start to heal.............. along with my heart. I'll eventually get the "back" thing figured out.

Have a good weekend!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! I had a great time hanging out with friends all weekend. My very dear friends surprised me on Saturday by showing up at my house with cleaning and gardening supplies. They gave my home and backyard a much needed super cleaning. It's been difficult for me to do much of anything with my back and hand hurting so it was very appreciated. It's a nice feeling to have such good friends in your life. We spent the whole weekend cleaning, workin' the BBQ, and lighting up those fireworks Monday night:) There were so many good fireworks around the neighborhood, who needs the beach with 100,000 people? It was sort of funny watching the police chopper try to keep up with the illegal fireworks. As soon as the chopper spotlighted an area, someone else would set some off in another neighborhood. Finally they just gave up all together and took off. The fire department, police, and several Fire Trucks must have passed by at least 5 times. In the end we were all safe so they obviously did a good job preventing us from blowing ourselves up:)

God Bless the USA! 

Rachael, our former "deva" came by the pool to hang out. 

I'm trying to get the pics posted from Vegas but they're not all getting through. I'll try again later. I need to get ready for a fun 4th of July. Lots of "Safe & Sane" fireworks to light on fire!

Please check out this site, it's awesome!

http://www.iwo.com/heroes.htm

Freedom Isn't Free! Thankyou to all the military protecting us so that we can enjoy and celebrate tomorrow's holiday knowing that they are keeping us safe.

Happy 4th of July!

Tilted Kilt bartender, I wonder if he had anything on under there? 

I got offered a job here......... wonder why? 

My latest piece........ the Kareem Abdul Jabar picture, not Micheal....... he just sells me everything:) 

Me & JJ at Field of Dreams spending all our winings. 

Just got back from Vegas, too much work to catch up on! I'll have pics up by tomorrow.