Wordless Wednesday

Midwestern Clouds

When you live in the midwest you take clouds for granted. They are almost always there. They come in many forms and colors - or at least shades of gray if it is storm weather. In the morning they can be red or yellow or even varying shades. In the evening as the sun sets and dips below the clouds you get some really wonderful colors with a red glow rippling off the bottoms of the clouds. The tall thunderheads are equally beautiful and terrifying. At night as the full moon behind the cloud cover gives a glow that sometimes seems to fulfill the sky you know that the universe is vast and beautiful, that it is full of wonder, and that nature is beauty.

The clouds are just lifting on the mountains west of our home. Of course as I write this the clouds are back and almost as beautiful.

All that doesn't disappear when you move west, but the frequency of clouds, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and especially thunderheads are rare. We have had a wet spring in Las Vegas and as a front passed through last night and today the clouds were beautiful. When I left for Church this morning there were no mountains to be seen, they were shrouded in a cloudy mist. An hour later when I came home to get JoAnn the clouds were beginning to lift, the sun was shining and yet, the clouds had that midwestern look. It was beautiful and while I miss the clouds I have yet to miss the winter.

Looking east from our home as the front moves through gives us some beautiful clouds to look at. Some mornings we can even get a beautiful sunrise.

While driving home I was int he shade, but the neighborhood and the mountains were capturing that beautiful desert sunshine. Absolutely beautiful.

What a Difference a Week Makes

WARNING: Those of you living in cold climates may find this post a bit hazardous to your mental health.

It hardly seems like it has been a week when we were in the midst of our winter monsoon season. I'm still not sure what our total rainfall was, but I know it was considerably less for 5 days than for a half-day in the midwest. Of course that doesn't make it any safer to drive here. Rain in Las Vegas is like driving on snow the first time in the winter. Cars are everywhere, but where they belong.

We were driving home from the Las Vegas Temple last Friday night (February 5) and took the following photo while we were waiting for a light to change. We've been by this place a number of times, but have yet to stop. One of these days we are just going to have to stop. Friday night was not the time, since they do not have an indoor area to eat.


This week, however, has been more friendly to us Las Vegans. It has been warming up steadily and while we can still see snow on the distant mountains (for us that counts as winter), I knew we were closing in on a patio lunch when JoAnn told me yesterday she wore her Birkenstocks yesterday without socks. So today, we tried lunch on the patio. It was 67 and as long as you sat in the sunshine it was wonderful. In fact, as you can see from the photo, lunch was over, but the sun held us in our location - well at least JoAnn, as one of us had to take a photo.


For all of you who have suffered through the last 10 days of winter we feel for you, but as my brother used to say to me, "My heart cries peanut butter for you," you know we don't really feel that way, we just wake up every morning, put on a light jacket, look out the back window and head for work or play. Oh yes, what we look at are our Pansies, which we have enjoyed all winter and will expand next winter.

Flowers, Father, and Sundays

It was a pretty quiet Sunday around our home. A few calls to wish me Happy Father's Day, which I mightily enjoyed, and a relaxing morning before Church. My early morning meetings were cancelled, so I got to spend them with JoAnn and Whisper. I got to catch up on a little reading, looking for the cat (several times), and some relaxation.




As we were getting on to 10 am I realized there was a plant I had not taken photos of in the backyard. It had blossomed almost 2 weeks ago and it's in a location that is not real visible from our back window. I went out to take some photos (I do seem to enjoy that) and got caught up in the moment. You can't just take one photo, though I tried. I took several, a couple of which are above and the rest on flickr.


I was closing the window in our bathroom and as I looked out I saw a hummingbird working on our plant. We have a few hummingbirds who frequent our yard on a very regular basis. I wanted a photo of the hummingbird so I ran into the sewing room grabbed my camera, changed lenses, and started shooting from the bathroom window. I was amazed the hummingbird was still at the plant. Usually they flit from plant to plant, but not this morning, just from flower to flower. The hummingbird was moving faster than I was, but I finally got a couple of good shots. Thank goodness it needed a rest.


Need to call my Dad to wish him Happy Father's Day and then we are done for the day. Happy Father's Day to my son-in-laws and son (with a child).

Three Days, Two Nights, Three Celebrations

When you are young you don't realize how busy life can get when you are older. You also don't realize how important small things become. Celebrations are "small things" that build great families. JoAnn wrote in her blog about our Modesto trip. It was 3 days and almost 2 nights, but the celebrations occurred in Modesto and Boise and we could only attend one of the three. Suzanne and Sally spoke of their celebrations - a birthday and an anniversary. Our's was a birthday bash and a father only turns 89 one time.


We have not lived close enough in 37 years to attend a birthday party for my father, yet this year we made the mad 8-hour dash north and had a Friday birthday lunch. It was so much fun! We found a new little restaurant about 4 blocks from Dad & Ruby's place and it was all comfort food, owned by a local group, and the food was almost as good as the companionship. I don't think I've ever seen Dad put away so much fish and chips. He even took my extra fish & chips home for later. And yes, he ate them.


Saturday was the big bash. All 3 sisters and families (that were in town) were present. It's a little overwhelming when we are all together. Everyone talks, some even listen, everyone is in motion, and it all centers around Jeri's kitchen. In all I think there were 13 of us plus 3 dogs. For a family that grew up without dogs, we sure have changed that! Of course, only Penny was allowed in the house since she doesn't consider herself a dog.

It was fun, company, presents, and family. Put it all together and you get a real feel for why families can love each other so much - in spite of our differences. When we get to the core we are more alike than different. Dad got in one game of cribbage and he must be getting old since I had to give him 2 points he missed. I don't think he ever missed any points before. And he still beat me! Of course the family dominoes game has morphed into a set of rules that focuses on cooperation rather than competition - although there is still a winner. It was a tad difficult to get a feel for the first game. I was more focused on "winning" than on cooperating. JoAnn won the first game and I didn't win the 2nd game. Wait, I didn't win any games.

At the end of the day we just sat out on the patio and relaxed. JoAnn and Jeri got a head start while I shot a few photos of them. Later, as JoAnn explained, we watched and listened for the owls. What a great family weekend.

Stanley finally has fun!

Poor old Stanley, he was beginning to think there was no such thing as fun at the McLean house (all my children need not respond to that statement). But he discovered he was wrong. After the yard was cleaned up it was time to hop in the car for a trip out to Red Rock National Conservation Area. We had told Stanley so much about the beautiful Red Rocks he was really excited. Of course, like everyone else, he wanted his picture taken at the entrance sign.

Red Rock Canyon is known for its rock climbing. People come from all over the world just to climb in the Canyon. Flat Stanley wanted to climb the rocks. We looked at the tall rocks and he decided they were too tall. Instead he decided to climb a smaller rock. When he got to the top he said, "Look at me!" We looked down, and sure enough, he was on top of the rock. What a guy!

Next on the tour was Red Springs, one of the natural springs in Red Rock Canyon. He thought walking on the boardwalk was a lot of fun. But he wanted his picture taken with the sign. He really likes those signs.

He also asked, where are the desert burros? Of course this time of the year you don't see many so he settled for another sign.

Driving back from Red Rock Stanley asked what the big building was. When we explained it was a casino he wanted to go inside and see what a casino was. We said, "No, you are too young and you would probably touch something that would get us in trouble." Stanley thought about that for a minute, asked us to read him the sign (yes, another sign picture) and I don't know who taught him about spas, but he wanted a spa treatment. Are you sure he hasn't visited Suzanne?

Stanley was starting to look a little thin so Grandma asked if he wanted lunch. Well of course he did. When we asked where, he said "In-N-Out Burger. They don't have any in Utah and I heard they are really good." Off we went to make the order. Stanley isn't in the picture because he was afraid he would fall out of the car.

Then off to home for lunch and another nap! That Stanley sure likes to sleep!

Later Stanley ate popcorn with Grandma and Grandpa (sorry no photo - Stanley would eat all of Grandpa's popcorn if he took a photo) while all 3 watched a good old war movie.Even Grandma got sucked into it.

Sunday morning Stanley was up with Grandpa and the two of them read their scriptures together.

After Church Stanley helped Grandma write in his journal. When Stanley saw the picture of Cole he wanted to stand next to it and talk to Grandma.

Then it was time to get packed up and ready to leave. Off to his next destination. Look for Stanley on someone elses blog!

Stanley helps out in the yard!

Poor Flat Stanley, he thought he was on vacation. He was looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday morning. At 7 am Grandpa wakes him up and says, "Time for a workout!" Stanley really did like standing on the screen where he could yell to Grandpa, "faster, faster."

Sitting on the seat was harder. His legs just wouldn't reach the peddles so he had to settle for riding and providing encouragement.

As if that wasn't enough, when Grandpa went outside to work Stanley was invited along. He helped trim the hedges and get to some of the spots Grandpa couldn't reach. He had to be very careful since the sharp edges could cut off an arm (or head).

The hardest part was stuffing all of the limbs into the trash can. Stanley jumped and jumped and jumped, but just felt like he wasn't pushing hard enough. The limbs kept springing back and dumping Stanley out of the trash can. With a little help from Grandpa he got it done.

Stanley really thought the hard work was over. That is until Grandpa said, "We have to clean the sidewalk off. How about you push the broom." When you are a small guy, pushing the broom is really hard. But Stanley did it.

Boy was Stanley proud of his work. He took all of the credit for getting those bags full.

He also was tired and thought he deserved a nap on Grandpa's favorite old couch.

Stay tuned, after Stanley took his nap he was ready to go and have some fun!
P.S. For those of you counting (Like Grandma), this is Part 2.

Flat Stanley Visits Las Vegas - Part 1

Today we received in the mail "Flat Stanley" (shortened to Stanley) from our youngest grandson in Utah. Stanley is making a whirlwind world tour beginning in Las Vegas. On this first afternoon of his arrival it was too late to get out and see the sites. I think Stanley is too young to do the strip, but we will discover that later.

Today he focused his efforts on getting to know some of the local cacti (that's plural for more than one cactus). The following photos show Stanley's efforts to get to know the family and not to get stuck with the cactus and yet to try to make friends with them.

Grandma introduces Stanley to our African tree.

Stanley was anxious to meet Whisper, but we though a window in between might keep Stanley from being mauled.

Ohhhh, don't try to ride the cactus!

Careful where you walk...

You can't climb a cactus like a tree - too many spines.

Finally, something that doesn't stick me!

Stanley was exhausted after his long trip from Utah and all that walking in the garden. He is sleepng, and thankfully not snoring. Keep watch, there will be more news from Stanley.

We've Seen Snow...Again

We have had such a beautiful winter (sorry kids), it seemed almost bitter-sweet when the temperature dropped into the 30's for lows over the last 10 days. Even more so we have experienced quite a few rain days (which of course we need). We even had a real midwestern rain day, as noted in a previous blog.


A week ago today, however, we knew rain had just passed and weather was still southern Nevada cold. We had no snow, but as I drove off to the dentist for a 7 am appointment I noticed a little snow on the front mountains, but it wasn't until 90 minutes later when I drove out of the parking lot looking west and I saw the full impact. No, it is not a Wasatch snow and it's not much good for snow caves or cross-country skiing, but it is a Red Rock snow and it is beautiful.

Go to my flickr account to see this panorama as well as other photos, or click on the photo and it will give you a full-screen (width) representation.

We feel fortunate to live so close to the Red Rock Conservation Area and to be able to go out and visit it on a regular basis. We have photos from multiple seasons, but I didn't really have any good snow photos. I was tugged to go work, but also tugged to take some photos. I rationalized, since I did have writing to do, and drove home, picked up my camera and was out the door. The photos in this blog are of Red Rock shortly after the storm and before the sun got too much hold on them. I think they are gorgeous. By the way, I did get some writing done, so no guilt.

Sunrise at Red Rock Canyon

This morning I slept in, which means I was not up at 4:30 am, however, I was still up by a little after 6 am and once I got going I though, why not go out to Red Rock Canyon and shoot some sunrise photos. I've been wanting to do that for some time and since we just finished 2 days of rain, now seemed perfect.

I peeked out the back window and sure enough there were clouds, although I didn't look towards Red Rock. That waited until I got into the car. The clouds on the mountains behind our house presaged my anticipation for mountains bathed in clouds. I knew that Red Rock wouldn't disappoint me. However, it was getting late and I was afraid I might engage in a race with the sun. You cannot win a race with the sun. It can climb higher faster than you can drive horizontally.

It's only 5 miles to Red Rock Canyon from our house, but another 6 miles to where I planned to shoot. As I went by the BLM entrance to Red Rock Conservation Area I was really glad I hadn't planned to go into the area. The gate doesn't open until 7 am. All the climbers and hikers were anxiously waiting outside for the gate to open.

Of course, the pickup in front of me was a 50 mph model, or at least the driver was, and as soon as I could see the canyon I knew I had missed those first precious moments of sunrise. I still knew I would enjoy the sunrise, even if at 50 mph. I thought about passing, but that would distract from the beauty I was enjoying.

Finally we both got to where I planned to shoot and while the pickup drank coffee and watched the sun march down those beautiful mountains, I started shooting, resolving the whole time to leave just 10 minutes earlier next time.

The pickup left, somewhat slower than 50 mph, and I continued to enjoy the gorgeous view. Having such beautiful scenery just 10 minutes from home is one of the great benefits of living in Las Vegas. We could have just about picked a home anywhere in the valley and not have the opportunity to enjoy Red Rock so close.

I got home, loaded the photos on to my computer and shared them with JoAnn. I was blown away by how well they came out. It was worth the drive. I put 23 of them on my flickr site. Actually they are being uploaded as I write this post.

At 3 pm I finally had time to load the photos into Aperture and do some adjusting. One more time I relived the glory of the sunrise. It was a beautiful 50 degree morning with low hanging clouds some dark, some misty, some billowing. The bright sunshine cascading down the slopes fo the canyon or dancing off the clouds just stirred me.

What a great start to a great day.