We did some post-Christmas shopping at WAL*MART® to get our present to each other, this new 42-inch HDTV. We waited for the after-holiday sale prices to kick in. It sure looks good with “Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End” playing on the screen.
Last week we took a drive to the harbor area; while we were there, we stopped at the 22nd Street Red Car Station. Verna took a photo as this holiday-decorated trolley pulled into the station.
I have a special interest in the Red Cars, since my Grandfather was a motorman during the 1930s and 1940s. On a rainy day last year, we took a ride on the red car.
Cabrillo Beach, a popular swimming, fishing and boating area, is the only public beach located within the Port of Los Angeles complex. Inside the breakwater, the water is calm and relaxing, but just outside is the ocean surf where, on a day with a choppy sea, waves crash against the jetty and seawall. The isthmus of Catalina Island can be seen in the distance.
Man, did we have a nice weekend. During Friday’s rain, we got all of our grocery and computer shopping done.
Saturday, we drove to the beach and around Palos Verdes on a beautiful (if blustery) day. Verna and I took a lot of pictures – it was hard to pick one that we could post, so expect to see more of them here soon.
Today, we topped all the fun off by taking a trip to the shooting range and had a lot of fun there. Click continue reading to watch the video that shows just how much fun we were having.
Today, we took a drive down to San Pedro and while we were there we stopped at the old Point Fermin Lighthouse to pose for this self-portrait.
This was our post last Thanksgiving Day. It is just as appropriate today as it was a year ago.
We often think about and pray for our troops across the globe. And our efforts go beyond just thoughts and prayers since we routinely support charities such as Wounded Warriors, Soldiers Angels and the USO. Please, if you are able, send our troops a little support as a way of saying thanks for what they do. Keep it going all of this holiday season if you are able.
You should also keep the families of these wonderful men and women in your thoughts and prayers, since they will be celebrating without their loved ones.
Neil Cavuto of the Fox News Channel offered this poignant and insightful thought about those serving in our defense:
Giving Thanks to Our Troops
By Neil Cavuto
I cannot imagine eating Thanksgiving dinner in a mess hall. In a foreign country. In a hostile foreign country. Away from family. Away from friends. Away from all I hold dear.
I cannot imagine wondering whether this meal might be my last. Or the buddy sitting next to me won’t always be with me.
I cannot imagine going through what our soldiers go through every day. But especially “this” day. When we should all give thanks. But they barely have the time to eat. Before they’re back on the line. Back protecting us.
We who debate their role. Some of us who even mock their cause. This isn’t about a war. This is about those who fight it. And endure it. And live through it. In a place we forget. On a day we should not.
I am very lucky to have this day with my family. My creature comforts are secure precisely because theirs are not. It’s not fair. It’s not right. It just is.
They are due our thanks every day. Our prayers all days. But they are due both, especially this day. It’s amazing to me that those paid so little, give so much. Never complaining. Always giving. So that we can sit down in peace. While they stand guard, in war.
May God bless and protect all of our men and women in the armed forces.
