Strange Garden And Reservation Dogs

 

I have Photos for Days of the Event "Strange Garden" at The Desert Botanical Gardens.  Today I'm taking you on a Visual Journey Post of just what I took with my Cellphone Camera.  I haven't even downloaded my Old School Camera Visuals yet.  *LOL*   Since, I got there so early, and I was there twice in one day, in the Morning and the Evening, I got different visual perspectives of both, and before Crowds descended upon both visits.   By the time Crowds arrive, Photography becomes more complicated to avoid getting Strangers in Frame, or having rude inconsiderate Visitors intentionally walk in front of anyone trying to take a Photo Op.  *Insert Resting Bitch Face*

There clearly are some who delight in Photo Bombing the Photo Opportunities of everyone, becoz they'll consistently ruin any attempt someone is making, numerous times.  I usually say something snarky loudly to those Fuckers to put them on Public Blast if they ruin more than one attempt I'm making with their intentional Fuckery.  *Winks*  Touche' Motherfuckers, either cease and desist or we'll have ourselves a little Public Spectacle and Situation shall we?   *Snicker*  You will have my full Attention and Fixation should you fuck up too many Patient attempts to Photograph what I am intent on preserving thru the Eye of my Lens and for Blog Fodder.  *Winks*  An Accidental Photo Bomb I'll tolerate, some people are oblivious to their surroundings and in their own Bubble.  Usually they will apologize for walking in front of you and spoiling a shot.  I don't even mind that, apology accepted, it happens, Polite Exchange ensues.

But, we all Paid good Money to be here and have a good time, so, just be considerate that you're not the only one present and it's not all about you being there.   Above is my fabulous Root Salad, BTW, Orchids are edible Flowers and taste nice.   They have been used in Eastern Medicine for Centuries for Medicinal Purposes to boost the Immune System and strengthen Eyesight, usually in Teas.  But, a raw Orchid in a Salad or Soup is mild and tasty as well as a stunningly Beautiful Garnish.  There were more Colorful pretty shaved Root Veggies on this Salad, but I mindlessly ate them before taking my Photo Op, coz, I was very Hungry.  *LOL*   Below is my Gazpacho, which was my Main Course, I kept it Light, The Man however went Full On Heavy with his Elk Chops Selection, which is pictured further below.  *Smiles*

To be Fair, he hadn't gone there with me that Morning to have Brunch, so, it had been his first and only Meal at Dinnertime.  If the Kiddos are watching him for me when I'm out, sometimes he won't tell them he's hungry or they'll forget to ask him.  If you don't ask him and make it for him, he usually doesn't remember to eat now, so, you have to be Mindful of his Mealtimes, coz, he isn't.   I have found that with TBI and Dementia, the sensation of Hunger or Thirst doesn't seem to kick in Naturally anymore, so you have to remind them often to hydrate and eat something, or, they just forget to entirely.   Well, Hygiene too, and just about everything really, can be forgotten without Reminders.  And, even if you remind them, they will sometimes tell you they already did, but, it could have been Days ago they did and it seems recent to them.  So, you must fact check each thing and pay attention to confront Memory Lapses gently.

He will also often just Order exactly what I just did, even if he doesn't like whatever it is, rather than make a decision of his own, which, can be hard for him without Help.   So, I'll suggest something I know he really likes and make it seem like that was his decision unguided, to Save Face for him if the Staff isn't familiar with us.   Oh, look, they have Elk Chops Honey!  And, there ya have it, he's not ordering Gazpacho and Root Salad that he would HATE and not be able to chew the Salad without Teeth and without Choking or asking why his Soup is Cold?  *LOL*  Even IF he put it in his Mouth after it arrived and he then asks Why he has it... or spit it out like a Kid and have the Staff worry about what's Wrong with the Food they just brought that he Ordered?  *Smiles* 

  Ah, Yes, Meals can be a Joy Forever and Ever, but, you Learn to just adapt to it, like you do with a fussy Toddler or Complaining Teenager, and try to get Nutrition into them.  *LOL*  Listen, sometimes I only had the Time, Patience or Energy to get one good Meal into a Toddler, Kid, Teen or Brain Damaged Old Man.   Or want to not just have an uneventful Meal by myself.   But, none of them Starved on my Watch and I didn't really Care if they missed a Meal, Okay?  *Smiles*  I remember Social Services {Both Adult Services and Child Services} ask me if I Worried about any of them eating?  And I truthfully just answered, in a Word, "No".   Becoz I don't Worry, frankly, I don't Care if they eat at all, but, you don't volunteer all information like that or it would go over like a Lead Balloon and be frowned upon.  Like in Court, the less said to a Judge, the better.  *Bwahahahaha*  And, does he LOOK like he's Starving or missing too many Meals?  Exactly.  *Winks*

Gallow's Humor aside, my only real Complaint is if he Orders something Expensive or Large and then doesn't eat it and we have to take it all Home.  Becoz he's notorious for not eating or forgetting about his Leftovers and would pitch a Fit if one of the Kids ate it, so, I end up throwing it out eventually.   Or, eating it myself and then if he does remember it, tell him, Oh, you already ate it Honey, don't you remember?  *Winks, yeah, I'm probably going to Hell for that one.  LMAOROTF*   But, it beats throwing out good Food that sacrificially cost me too much to fucking Waste.   Or, if one of the Kids is really Jonesin' to eat Dad/Grandpa's Forgotten Meal and ask about it after a Day or Two, I say, go ahead, if he says something now about it, back me up that he ate it, Okay?  Better than making me Mad to have to toss it and nobody got to enjoy it.  Then there will be no Trouble in Paradise and no Wasted good Food.  They're all Down for that.  *Winks*

Didn't hafta Worry about them Elk Chops tho', he enjoyed the whole Meal, even tho' he thought he was eating Mashed Potatoes and not a Celery Parsnip Puree with Lingonberry Yogurt Sauce.  *LOL*  He practically licked that Plate Clean!   And the Photo of his Meal is several Pixs Below that I took with my Cellphone Camera, the Order with which I loaded them was rather random and not always on point to line up with the Written Word added afterwards.  So, I finally Downloaded my Old School Camera Images so I could find the Elk Chops Pix I took of his Dish and put it Below.  *Smiles*  It was a lot of Elk and I'm shocked he consumed the whole thing actually, coz Elk Meat tho' good, is filling and a bit Rich.

At "Gertrude's" the Staff know me so well that they always make a fuss of us while we're there and The Man really likes that, makes him feel like a VIP.  *Smiles*   The Manageress knows that my Dad was a Master Chef and they have a Master Chef who prepares their Meals.  She knows I can and do fully Appreciate the Talent and Flavor Profiles that go into their Unique Menu Options.   So, she always asks my Opinion about the new Menu Items and the Seasonal ones.  In fact, they kept the Gazpacho on longer becoz I recommended that as long as it remains so Hot outside, a Splendid Cold Soup like that choice would be Welcome... even tho' we're moving into Fall, and, it is, so, it's been well received clear into October as a favorite selection now.  I am flattered that she appreciates my input and I think she's running a Delightful Restaurant that I always enjoy Dining at.

 

And remember the last Post where I told you about the Dogs dressed as Mail Carriers?   Well, here's the one that monopolized being the Center of Attention and Posing.  He also jumped in front of the other one when I tried to take it's UPS Pix... so... I had to take another one of him instead, it was hilarious, that Pair was leashed to their Lady Human.   Then Below, is the other Pair that the Man was leashed to, so, I was able to get a UPS Dressed Costumed Dog eventually, he couldn't get over there fast enuf to jump in front of them too.  *Bwahahaha*   I Confess tho', he was my Favorite of the Quartet becoz clearly he had the most Personality and Attitude.  *Winks*   The other Trio didn't give a shit about their Pix being taken like he was delighted to be in front of the Lens and actually Pose like a Hambone.   He was the Diva of them all and wanted his Shot to be Perfect!  *Smiles*

 

I don't know what Breed of Dog they were, they had Poodle Hair but a Face and Size difference, that made me question whether they were a Known Breed or a Mixed Breed?   Adorable nonetheless, tho' there was One who the Owners said didn't get along so well with other Stranger's Dogs.  And so they had to keep other folks with Dogs from allowing their Fur Babies from getting too up close and personal with that one.  There were so many Dogs in Costumes and out of Costume that Dog Day Morning and The Gardens had a Special Event just for Dog Owners to bring their Dogs with them.   They had Water Stations, Treat Stations, Doggie Poop Bags available and Photo Ops.  I thought it was a Splendid Idea, since, some folks don't have Kids, but they do indulge their Fur Babies like you would a Human Child and even Dress them Up for Halloween.   So, it was inclusive of all manners of Families.

Really, the only Autumnal Event I Traditionally attend and didn't this Year, was The Arizona State Fair.   Yesterday, Sunday, was the last Day of it and I just never got around to attending it, too much to do and Budget was tighter than usual as well.   So, something had to be eliminated that would be an expense, and that was chosen as the one I could miss and not feel deprived of the Experience.  I don't go on Rides anymore or play Midway Games.  I haven't attended one of their Concerts in Years, and, except for Eating and just roaming around looking at the Festivities and Art Displays, it's pretty much the same every Year really.   I've gone for so many Years now that I just recognize when something is Missing that used to be a part of it.  That just makes me realize you're getting much less than you used to get for a much more inflated Admission Price these days.  Even the Entries for what people Win Ribbons for, is way smaller than it used to be.

And it would have been Sad to see the Quilt Entries and miss seeing my Friend Penny's Quilts on Display, she Won Ribbons every Year, usually First Place.  She passed away earlier in the Year, succumbing to the Cancer she'd been valiantly fighting, her Remission didn't Hold.  Her Grandson and a Daughter have taken over her Fish N Chips Business that her Parents founded in the 1970's and we go to all the time.  It's walking distance from our Old Historic Home we Sold and was the first place that The Son ever Worked when he was 14, Shelling Shrimp for Penny.   He also worked there off and on during times when the Trades didn't have full time Work and when he was struggling with his Addiction Issue, Penny always tried to give him an opportunity, since she'd known my Kids and Grandkids all their Lives.  I Miss her terribly, she'd been like Family to us... and I've known most of her Staff since they were Kids and watched them Grow Up.  That's Why I Love and Support Small Family Owned Businesses, they are the Backbone of America and part of a Community.

 

I've included a lot of the Nighttime Pixs of the Lantern Art Installations, since, tho' Stunning in Daylight, they were even more Spectacular after Dark!   The Patterns they Created on the Ground were like a Kaleidoscope.   Some could be spun and of coarse people were spinning them like Tops.   That produced a dizzying Display and Effect, so I preferred waiting until the Spinner People walked off before taking my Pixs.  *LOL*   I don't even know if they should have been Touching the Art, since, Daytime Signs did tell you not to Touch, but, either the Gardens took the Signs down or People did, and so, a lot of Touching and Manhandling was going on.   I never understand why some folks think that's Okay?  They seem oblivious that they could damage something or worse, make it unstable and potentially fall, even if secured well for a Static Display.  The last thing I wanted to see was one of these large Metal Art Installations Spin right off their moorings and crash into, impale or crush someone!

I caught a Warp Speed Toddler giddily zooming thru the Pumpkin Patch to get her Pumpkin, she was a Blur, she was running so fast.  And capturing that was unavoidable and not intentional, since she was in Frame before I could click off a shot... and... I kept it coz you can't tell who she is, just a Blur of Female Child zooming into Frame at Warp Speed!  *LOL*   Her Family trailing far behind coz they couldn't keep Pace with that one either!!!  I think a Toddler Leash might have been in Order, since, her Costume was some kind of Fantasy Animal anyway.  *Winks*   Plus, by the time I could get this one Shot accomplished, about a Dozen Families then descended upon the Pumpkin Patch and it would have been impossible to Photograph any of it without getting someone's Child in the Pixs.   

I try not to do that without express permission, since, I am putting all this on Social Media sites.  This is Why Intentional Photo Bombing is not encouraged either, unless you desire being the inconsiderate Asshole on my Social Media sites?  *Winks*   Then I don't give a Rat's Ass if you take Issue with being in my Photos or not, I'd rather you had NOT been actually, but, you fucking insisted, didn't you?  *LMAO*   If you won't move out of the way then I'm not waiting around all day to take my Shot or retake my Photos... be in it or move the fuck away after you've had your Look at whatever it is for a decent amount of Time... your Choice.  Some will linger and you know they're only doing it to prevent everyone from taking their Photos without Dealing with their inconsideration.  Pet Peeve of mine is when you clearly see someone trying to take a Photo and don't get out of the way or move past quickly.

But, every so often, someone else's Photo Op becomes yours too... as in this Guy in an Awesome Skeleton Costume taking a Selfie.  Who obliged standing there so I could take a Pix of him taking his Selfie, in front of a Display, and it looks Awesome and very Halloweenish, so I didn't mind him being in Frame at all.   If someone has a great Costume, they often don't mind people taking Pixs of them and seem to enjoy it in fact.  It's in the Spirit of the Season after all and if you go Public with a great Costume, I feel like you probably want to be Seen and Appreciated for your participation and what you wore?   Below was my Blue Corn Lamb Enchilada Meal for Brunch when I was there in the Morning.

We did make a trip to the Gila River Indian Reservation to do some more Environmental Cleanup, after the President's visit I felt we wouldn't have traffic issues there.  We stopped by Vee Quiva which is the Gila River Tribe's Resort and Casino.  I just wanted to check it out, neither The Man or I are Gamblers, but it was crowded with those who are.  They have a really nice setup there and it really helps improve the Quality of Life of the Tribe from the Revenues.  We stopped by the Tribe's Convenience Store and Gas Station, I did get a pix of the Resident Reservation Dogs this time, it's a Male and Female Couple, they roam freely and look rather like Handsome Dingos in appearance, almost all the Dogs there look about the same, similar to Mexican Street Dogs... but this Pair like to hang out at the Store where they always have Food and Water made available. 

The Boy liked Posing for his Photo Op, he is a Handsome Fellow, with the Prettiest Amber Eyes, the Girl was reluctant to get up from her Midafternoon Nap in the Shade.   She's got Ears that don't know whether to stand up or lop down.  *LOL*   They always come up to you to see if you've got anything they can beg off you.  I feel bad when we don't.  I don't own a Dog and gave The Grandsons all of Tyson's Dog Biscuit Treats or I'd have some handy for these Two.  And I'd come specifically to the Store to pick up the rest of my American Indian Foods I wanted for making a nice Soup and Chili.   The Trio of Tepary Beans and the Pima Club Wheatberries, with the Native Name for them on the Packaging, Produced and Harvested by the Tribes.  The Akimel O'Otham {Pima} and Pee-Posh {Maricopa} Tribes of the Gila River Community is Home for both Tribe's Members and was established as a Reservation in 1859 and formally established by Congress in 1939.   

The Tribe Owns 3 other Casino Resorts besides Vee Quiva, Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino {and Yes, you will see the Wild Horses, as we did this day and they had numerous Foals, but I couldn't get Pixs as they were far enuf off the Road to not get a good Photo Op and they spook easily}, Lone Butte Resort & Casino, and Santan Mountain Resort & Casino.  They've Operated them now for over 25 Years and Two are Four-Diamond accredited.   My Family and Friends that do like to Gamble prefer the Rez Casinos over the Vegas ones and I can see why.   And just to dispel a Myth, No, Indigenous Tribal Members do not receive Cash payments from the U.S. Government.  Financial Assistance is no different to qualify for than any other American would receive, except for Bureau of Indian Affairs Services, which, you must be a Registered Tribal Member to receive and a certain quantum of Indigenous Ancestry of certain Tribes.  Due to lack of Federal recognition, many Tribes never qualify for Services or have a Reservation.

The deliberate Policy of Ethnic Cleansing in the 19th Century is why Reservations were established and some Tribes forced onto them and still have those Lands to this day.   The Welsh endured a similar attempt at Ethnic Cleansing as did most Gaelic Minorities in Great Britain, and why Wales, Scotland and Ireland now have their own Country boundaries, but have had to fight hard for autonomy as well as Indigenous Native Americans.  I've had animated discussion with some Non-Indians that seem to think Reservations should be abolished, but, since First Nation Members are no longer restricted to living there and could leave and live elsewhere now, Why?  To take back that Land too, I have to ask, is the U.S. Government then willing to recompense all Tribes for all the other 97.7% of Land Stolen from them a couple Centuries ago?  I doubt it, so, to leave the Indigenous the mere 2.3% of Land in America they still have as Reservations, it's not so much and usually is not the most desirable Land either.   Still 1/3 of those living on Reservations have no running Water or Electricity and abject Poverty still abounds.

Anyway, we try to do as much Volunteer Environmental Cleanup on the nearby Reservations Roadside as we do outside of them, as a Public Service to those Communities too.  We are Mindful and Respectful not to Trespass beyond the Soft Shoulder of all Roadsides so as not to disturb anyone whose Land is there.   And if it's a Nature Preserve, we've also gotten Permission from the Authorities to go beyond the Roadside to do Cleanup in areas the Litterers have not respected or have Trespassed on in areas they shouldn't have had Legal Access to.  It only makes a small difference, but on the Rez Yesterday we hauled out an entire Truckload of discarded Aluminum Cans in just a very short stretch of Road not far from the Casino.   I don't think ADOT does any Roadside Cleanup judging by the amount that had been there clearly a long time, so much the Aluminum's Graphics had faded in the Sun and bleached out the side facing upwards.

This Morning we have to trade in the Aluminum becoz my Truck Bed can't hold any more Bags of Cans, so, that will Buy Lunch and Gas Today.  *Smiles*  LATER:  We actually had Collected 37 Lbs. of Cans on Sunday, not a bad One Day haul of Aluminum.  We went Canning again Today at the Nature Preserve and Collected Two more huge Bags full, we also found someone had dumped out their Ice Chest at the Parking Lot of where the Fishing Spots are and there were 16 Cold Bottled and Canned Modelo and IPA Voodoo Ranger Beers!!!   I got them for The Son, they were still Cold and had remnants of the Ice around them.  The Son said likely some Guys were Fishing and couldn't bring that much Beer Home.  Some of his Friends have Wives that won't let them bring that much Beer into the House, so, I guess it's not uncommon, who knew?  *LOL*

There was also One Cold Red Bull Energy Drink in the Blue Can called "The Blue Edition", so I drank that one.  *Smiles*  I haven't tried most of the flavors and the Blue Can was my first of that flavor, it has a Fruity Blueberry taste and was quite nice tasting and fragrant.   I also found a larger size Tropical Fish Net, some Fishing Lures, Two Baseball Caps, and some loose Change.  We always find something other than just Aluminum Cans when we're doing Environmental Cleanup.  I wash the Caps and Sell them for Five Bucks each, I always Sell Out, becoz they have always been popular Teams and the Hats are like New.  I suspect they blow off people's Heads and out of their Vehicles and they just don't go back to retrieve them Roadside?   One was a Navy Reebok Baseball Cap and the other was an Arizona Cardinal's Baseball Cap in Red and White.

We got back Home just after 1:00 P.M. Today, so didn't stay out as long as we did on Sunday.  The Man wanted to, but, I felt we'd been out long enuf and it was heating up and just shy of reaching triple digits this Afternoon.  It was comfortable coz there was a Breeze most of the time and we got a lot of Cans in a much shorter area and time this day as well.   Princess T doesn't Work on Mondays so we had no specific deadline to get back Home, so, we could have languished and I think that's what The Man wanted to do.  *Smiles*   But, it's the end of the Month and I didn't want to use up all my Gas driving around.   Just a few more Days until Payday, when The Man's Pensions and Disability Income come in.  My Social Security and Pension comes in very late in the Month and my Dividend Income from Stocks is only Quarterly.

So, Above and Below were the Miniature Old Ponies dressed up as Unicorns and their Young Handlers dressed up as Fairies.  Quite a hit with the smaller Children.   As you can see, the Old Ponies stood quite still and were almost nodding off to Sleep, Bless them.  *LOL*   The Fairie on the left with the shorter long Hair looked quite Bored out of her Mind and the Event had just started.  *Smiles*  Her Countenance was such that I'm not sure she's really "Into" being a Fairie.  At the Renaissance Faires, the Fairies are always very bubbly and tho' they never Speak, they get into Character and stay in Character, so the Children are more engaged.   These Fairies spoke, just to tell everyone you could touch the Ponies and Pet them as well as take Photos of them or with them.   I just quickly took my Two Photos, since by the time I did that, Kids were rushing up and a Line was forming to even take Pixs of them by then.   You would never then get a good Photo Op without someone's Kid in Frame whose Family wouldn't wait their turn in Line.

The Fairies were then trying to get an Orderly Line formed so everyone with a Turn wouldn't get Photo Bombed by the ruder impatient Families, Line Jumping, but, it was futile and in vain.  When folks don't have manners or social etiquette and consideration, you're not gonna Teach them any in an instant.  *Eye Roll*   I had gotten my Two Pixs when nobody was there yet... and we immediately bailed once the Fairies and Unicorns got Bum Rushed.  *LOL*  If that One Fairie's Countenance was Sour before the Crowds descended upon her, well, I have no doubt it would deteriorate further.  *LMAO*  Perhaps that's what usually happens, so she was bracing for the onslaught and thinking, Oh Fuck, here we go again!?  *Winks*  Good thing the Ponies were very Laid Back and docile.   So that overly animated Children wouldn't spook 'em.  *Bwahahaha*

Here's the better Photo taken with my Cellphone of The Man's Elk Chops Dinner.    I haven't watched much TV lately coz it's almost all Political now with the Election so close to being a Wrap.   They had a Historian on The News Today comparing 45's Rallies to the Nazi American Rally of the 1930's that was held in NYC.   A lot of Americans, he said, might not realize that Hitler's Ideas were from Studying America's History!   Hitler Admired how the U.S. Government had successfully Isolated and mostly Exterminated the Native Americans in our Nation's Genocide, and that's where he got his Ideas to do the same to the Jews and Gypsies in the 1930's Holocaust we all know about and condemn!  I've said it many times, but I know a lot of Americans DO NOT know that Historic Fact, that Hitler was a Scholar of America's great Genocide and rounding up those they wanted to eradicate, which is NOT Taught in our Schools or talked about hardly ever, nor really condemned equally.

  

I'm Hoping for The Best but Preparing for The Worst as far as Post Election Risks and Results.  Regardless who Wins or Loses, I think it will not play out Well and that's deeply concerning of coarse.  I Predict that like Four Years ago, 45 will declare a Victory before all Votes are Counted.  Which could take Days or Weeks AFTER Voting is Closed in some States, including ours, so all States Counts are in, verified and tallied.  And so a lot of his Devout will Believe he Won.  Then if he doesn't, they'll Believe once again that it was Stolen and somehow his Win was overturned and they were cheated.   And if Kamala Wins they won't Believe that either and the Lawsuits and demands for Recounts will be another expensive Taxpayer outlay that won't convince them of a Loss regardless.  They prefer The Big Lie and still Believe the last one.  Some of his Cult Believe he has still been the President for Two Terms already!!!   And... since you can't run for Three Terms, makes me Wonder how they Square that Fact in their deluded Minds then?  *Eye Roll*

But, frankly, I don't want to try to get Inside the Heads of his Followers.  I'm sure it's a scary Space to Be and Hold.  When I hear any of them Parroting their Misinformed or Made Up Agendas, and Conspiracy Theories, it's clear to me they've been out of touch with and untethered to Reality for too long now to have any rational discussion at all.  And when confronted with Facts, Proof, Evidence, to the contrary, they just get Angry and very Hostile.  Apparently becoz they can't handle The Truth actually anymore, or admit they could be Wrong/Inaccurate, or have been Manipulated and taken for Rubes.  All becoz they failed to do any Due Diligence and Fact Checking before just running with whatever Low Information they received and just Mindlessly Believed.  

Because their Idol they clearly Worship now like a demigod, has said it over and over again, Brainwashing and convincing them of even the most outrageous, ludicrous absurdities and claims.   Such as Joe Biden having Five "Circles"... and other inane ramblings, that make zero Sense and nobody really knows what the Hell that Lunatic is talking about!?  *LOL*  I do have to Wonder just how Unraveled and Crazy 45 has to be and get before the Light Bulb goes on for his most ardently Devoted, if at all?   There is always some "New Low" to devolve to with that whole Political Nightmare and perverted Party.   It sure ain't a bunch of Conservative Minded folks anymore, that's for damned sure.   I could always Respect a True Conservative viewpoint, even if I didn't agree with it entirely.  

I could always Respect a True Liberal viewpoint, even if I didn't agree with it entirely.   And I more closely align with a Moderate Independent viewpoint since, Moderation in all things and avoiding Extremes and Radicalized Views and Policy just seems to be better for everyone all around IMO.   There can be more of a chance of Bipartisan Support of Ideas and Policies that aren't on the Far Side either way and Serve more of the People than a select Minority who are Far Side Minded.   And those in attendance and speaking at the most recent Hate Rally in NYC, reminiscent of the 1930's NYC Nazi Rally, well, where they stand and what they stand for and Believe was pretty evident and they're not joking, Believe them, they're telling you exactly who they are.

I'm glad I've had some Down Time to Center myself and remain Balanced when everything around us seems so out of Balance and uncertain.  It's important that we remain steadfast in being on the Right side of History.   Above, well, it really was Calming to see an Art Installation with so much reflective Light and Pattern to it.  I couldn't get that group of Girls to move out of the way.  Tho' there was an abundance of Space to stand and chat where they wouldn't be in the way or obstructive, it always Amazes me how many people will deliberately pick a spot that interrupts the flow of traffic and Photo Opportunities, or for other people to enjoy what's on Display.  Just WTF?!   The Walkway on both sides of this Display were spacious to do their visiting with one another without being in anyone's way... but, they insisted on being in everyone's way instead, stubbornly refusing to move along or out of the way.

And there was a Mom at the Entrance who was allowing her Toddler to move all the small Pumpkins in the Display around or try to carry them off!   Finally one of the Volunteers had to tell her to explain to the Child, who was too Young to know better, that the Pumpkin Patch where they could choose a Complimentary Pumpkin to take Home, was Inside the Event and gave her directions on how to get there.   The Mom clearly KNEW that the Free Pumpkins were not on the Entrance Display Carefully Arranged Vignette, but let her Kid manhandle and move them around anyway!  While she just stood there like an imbecile until some other Adult had to TELL her to stop her Child from doing what she was doing!  THEN she didn't even bother to put them back where they belonged, she just walked away irritated and acting Offended, with her Kid, making Staff put the misplaced Pumpkins back where they were on Display!   A Teachable Moment for her Child completely Lost, not to Touch what should not be Touched and make a mess of it.

By and large most Kiddos there were well behaved and clearly more exposed to Cultured Events and know how to Act, with just a few exceptions, most Adults weren't behaving like Assholes either.   But, you always get some.  Thankfully there weren't enuf of the Asshat Variety of Humans to ruin a really good time.  *Smiles*   And, when you get there early, you don't have to Deal with larger Crowds, where you might run into a larger percentile of folks who don't know how to Act.   There were a lot of Tourists present, The Gardens is one of the Go To Spots for Visitors to spend a day while visiting the Valley.   We've always taken first time Guests there since they may have never experienced The Natural Desert and would be hesitant to do so in The Wild.  *Winks*  I think Botanical Gardens across the Globe are always a great Experience.

I've been trying to finish up this Post for most of the day... and find interesting things to Write about that play out mostly in a mundane predictable way day to day.  *Smiles*   The minutia of daily routines is pretty boring really and not Blog worthy unless you happen to be an excellent Writer.   I do follow some Great Blogs that can make a very Simple Day sound absolutely fascinating and Readable... by the way they just have a Gift of recounting it and making it so Special.  The Daughter called me again and said that she's just waiting now for the last Social Services Visit which is to be on the 30th.  She plans to introduce Salvador to them and say that now he's out, he's the one responsible for the Children and his Family have Raised them since Birth.  She will explain that they haven't been together for Years and she will give them all our Contact Information, so, that if they need to Contact us, they can.  But that she's not a Resident Alien and can only remain there on a brief VISA and must return Home.

 

She will explain that we have been ready and willing to take the Children if THEY can arrange it so that Legally it can be accomplished and they can enter the United States without barriers and complications of Immigration.   Put the onus on their Social Services to sort shit out and do whatever is necessary should they decide they won't let the Children remain with Salvador's side of the Family.   I think it is Wise of her to handle it this way.   I personally think that since all Three Kids are Older Teens and the Oldest will be an Adult in less than 1.5 Months now, and One clearly has Special Needs, they won't really have appropriate Placement for any of them outside of the Family and without it being Contested by both sides of the Family.   I doubt they want an International Incident, yet, we must abide by the Laws and Criteria of their side of the Border AND our side of the Border, so, it's complicated and probably very expensive for whoever ends up footing the Bill.  It won't be us, we simply don't have it.

Apparently Salvador and his Wife are getting a Divorce becoz when he was feared Dead after being Shot and Abducted for so long, then Imprisoned when he turned up Alive, she had moved on and began seeing another Man.   Apparently that's a part of why she abandoned our Grandkids, and took her Bio Children with her to be with the New Boyfriend.   So, tho' her Sister is Raising the Youngest of our Trio and is close with The Daughter, Diana is not anymore and is out of the picture.  Her own Family have pretty much become estranged from her and the Lifestyle Choices she's making, which they disapprove of.  She comes from a very good and respected Family, so I'm sure she's caused them embarrassment and shame.   Anyway, she has Three Children, Two Older ones by her First Husband and a Younger one with Salvador.  So, his only connection to her will be due to his Youngest Daughter with her.  Our Grandkids adore their Youngest Sister and are protective of her.

Salvador is seeking to obtain Asylum in the U.S. but I don't know how much of that is a pipedream?   He knows he would not be Welcome here with the baggage he has from Choices he's made that we don't approve of and his Mother didn't either.   Tho' he and The Daughter are Civil, for the sake of their Children they have together, she doesn't want any kind of relationship with him.  She naturally doesn't want anything bad to happen to him either, nor do we, but, he needs to get his Life in Order and he's the one who has Legal Custody of those Three Grandchildren, that really his Mom did the Raising and Supporting of.   He's not been in the Life of Princess T or provided any of her Support, and she's his Oldest Child by those he had with our Daughter.   

The Young Prince's Dad at least did a lot for his Son and had constant Contact, which he still has to this day even now our Grandson is a Grown Adult.   He also did a lot for Princess T, as did his extended Family, even tho' she was no Biological Connection, they never left her out.  We always appreciated that even if Bobby and I didn't always see Eye to Eye.  And, he let us be a part of the lives of his Two Younger Children he had by Angie, a very nice Young Woman he was in a long term relationship with after he and The Daughter were no longer together.   Angie has since left him, so, tho' she keeps in Touch with us via Social Media, I don't know how much we'll see of The Young Prince's Two Younger Siblings now?   I miss them, and I do Hope that our Grandson gets to still spend some time with his Siblings, even if we don't?  Angie knows she's always Welcome here, we really like her.

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Happy Halloween... Dawn... The Bohemian