The action-packed Japanese manga BLEACH is being talked about by the anime junkies all over the world. What is anime? Anime is traditionally hand drawn, but computer assisted techniques have become quite common in recent years.
Bleach the Movie will be in theaters June 11th and 12th. You won’t want to miss watching as Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto search out the dimension between Soul Society and the real world. Known as the Valley of Screams, this dimension has expanded to the point that it is connecting the two worlds.
From the website:
After unidentified beings known as “Blanks” start popping up, they are soon followed by a Soul Reaper named Senna who makes them disappear. Puzzled by these unknown beings and the even more mysterious girl, Ichigo and Rukia set out to learn more, but uncover an evil plot when a menacing clan tries to kidnap Senna. Banished from the Soul Society long ago, the clan’s leader is sending the World of the Living and the Soul Society on a collision course, and Senna seems to be the key to his diabolical plot for revenge. Can Ichigo and his fellow Soul Reapers save the two worlds from annihilation?
How do you like those names? I identify with the character, Ichigo. This poor chap has a habit of forgetting his classmate’s faces and names. He is only 15 years old! I can’t steal his name though and so if I were to have a Manga Character name, it would be Kite. Kite means to be able to fly through people’s minds. Oh yeah, that would be fun.
Check out the website for information on theaters in your area and how you can get tickets in advance by simply entering your zip code. You won’t want to miss this movie. For two nights only, Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody will make its North American debut.
So many people are traveling to destinations closer to home this summer. I want to give you a “heads up” on a terrific place to visit. Wildwood vacations will include the Radio Disney Concert Series that will be in Wildwood in July. These “Magic Monday” concerts are totally FREE! That means your family can still do something fun even with the high price of gas this summer. These Wildwood events will keep you out of the doghouse with your kids this summer. They will love seeing many of the Top Radio Disney artists like Raven-Symone at Morey’s Piers in the month of July. Mark the concert dates of July 7th, 14th and 21st on your calendar. The concerts will take place take place at the Radio Disney stage next to the giant ferris wheel on Morey’s Mariner’s Landing pier. July 26th Concert ticket holders can save money on other fun things like an all-day water park ticket for either Raging Waters or Ocean Oasis. Or they can earn $10 off an amusement pier wristband valid for all three of Morey’s Piers, or $15 off a one-day splash and ride combination ticket. We loved visiting that area when we attended Stacy’s graduation from basic training at Cape May. the Wildwood NJ motels are smack in the middle of so many historic houses that you will think you have died and gone to Victorian house heaven. There are lighthouses to visit and the shopping is wonderful. Morey’s Piers, Hereford’s Inlet Lighthouse and shopping, it is time for a New Jersey Vacation! 
One of the best museums displaying American Western art and artifacts is the wonderful Stark Museum of Art. H.J. Lutcher Stark and his mother, Miriam Lutcher Stark established the Stark Foundation as a non-profit corporation in 1961. Beginning as a vision of improving the quality of life in Southeast Texas by encouraging, promoting and assisting education, the arts, and health and human services. The Stark Museum of Art holds a wide array of collections of art.
The Western Art collection includes many artists dating over two centuries. Beautiful art in many forms portray cowboy life and Indian imagery depicted from the artist’s individual interpretation as they settled in the west.
The Indian tribes of the Great Plains, Southwest, Eastern Woodlands and Northwest Coast are represented in wonderful collections. Examples of Plains clothing, body ornaments, and beadwork, such as elaborately beaded moccasins are displayed in the Stark Museum of Art.
Collectors from all over the world have visited the Stark Museum of Art to see the museum’s collection of rare books and manuscripts.
Offering an outstanding collection of glass and porcelain in its Decorative Arts Collection, the Stark Museum of Art is renowned as having numerous items from Steuben Glass. Another wonderful exhibit that can only be seen at the Stark Museum of Art is the complete set of The United States in Crystal, a series of bowls engraved with scenes representing each of the 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and the Union. Other exhibits include beautiful porcelain birds by artist Dorothy Doughty as well as those by artist Edward Marshall Boehm..
Located in the city of Orange, Texas in the southeast corner of Texas this wonderful museum is one I hope to visit someday. For now, I will continue reading and learning from their website at http://www.starkmuseum.org/.
What an exciting year it will be to attend the Indy 500 race. We just got our tickets yesterday. I cannot wait to see Danica Patrick run again. With her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300, Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy car race. Danica is on the Andretti team this year. Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the Indy Car Series and the American Le Mans Series.
When we visited North Carolina last summer, we were delighted to have the opportunity to visit the Hatteras Light House.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest in the nation and famous symbol of North Carolina. The lighthouse site houses a visitors center that is open throughout the year and houses displays on the island’s maritime history. Pictures do not do it justice. When you stand next to it you will feel dwarfed. At least, that is how I felt. The beacon from the light can be seen some 20-miles out to sea and has warned sailors for more than 100 years of the treacherous Diamond Shoals, the shallow sandbars which extend some 14 miles out into the ocean off Cape Hatteras. A story tells how the lighthouse was supposed to be painted in diamond colorations but that they painter got his plans mixed up. Cape Lookout received the diamond pattern and the Hatteras Lighthouse was painted in winding stripes. It is often referred to as the big barber pole.
I just finished watching Discovery Channel’s Dirtiest Jobs. The show featured Clydesdale horses and the dirtiest jobs on Mackinaw Island. It was fun to see the sites from a different view. I have always wanted to go to Mackinaw Island.
I didn’t realize the island uses Clydesdale horses for many jobs.
Here are a few facts about Clydesdales:
* The full-grown Clydesdale should stand 18 hands (about 6 feet) at the shoulder and weigh between 2,000 and 2,300 pounds.
* The ideal horse is bay in color, has a blaze of white on its face, a black mane and black tail.
* Most important, the Clydesdale will have white feathering on all four legs and feet.
* All hitch horses are geldings, characterized by their even temperament and stronger, more natural draft horse appearance.
Clydesdale horses are often associated with the Budweiser Clydesdale Stables in Missouri. Grant’s Farm, where up to 15 foals are born each year. Grant’s Farm is proud to be one of the breeding operations for the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. The Budweiser Clydesdales are the beverage industry’s most recognizable mascots, and you can also meet these famous horses by visiting the Clydesdale Hamlet at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Clydesdale teams are often competing in worldwide driving championships.
When hubby and I visited Hawaii, we saw the sights. We rented a car and saw pineapple and celery fields. We stopped along the ocean and sat for hours while the whales made appearances. They would surface and then slap their tails on the water. Hubby had to drag me away, I enjoyed watching them so much. While visiting a small village, we looked at beautiful pearls. Hubby has always wanted to buy me a strand of pearls but that has never been in our budget. We did buy a beautiful black pearl pendant that I wear for special occasions. Pearls are my favorite style of jewelry. Hubby bought me pearl earrings when we were dating and they hold a sentimental place in my heart.
Pearls make wonderful gifts for brides to give to their bridesmaids. That is what I gave my bridesmaids over 30 years ago. Pearls are still a well received gift even today. Pearls can be saved for a dressy occasion or can be worn with a sweater and blue jeans.
There are different types of pearls and all are beautiful. There are Akoya pearls which are noted for their brilliance. My favorite pearl, the Tahitian black pearl is the rarest, most valuable of pearls. There are also freshwater pearls and satiny South Sea pearls. South Sea pearls are harvested off the coast of northern Australia from the Pinctada Maxima oyster. The Pinctada Maxima oyster produces some of the largest pearls found in the world.
When I think of nature, I think of getting back to basics. I think of walking along a nature trail and observing everything growing in its natural state. When I look at what nature has to offer in the way of plants and animal life, I am amazed at all the different things our world has to offer. Do you ever take a look around and become amazed at how a weed can sprout up through a crack in the sidewalk? Or that a doe instinctively knows how to take care of her newly born fawn?
There is a beautiful place in Orange, Texas that is the epitome of seeing what nature has to offer. Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center was begun over 60 years ago by H.J Lutcher Stark. His mission has been continued through the efforts of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation. This private foundation endeavors to improve and enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas and encourage and assist education with regards to nature.
Teaching adults and children that we can live in harmony with nature has produced an educational message to thousands. For their efforts, Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center has been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council’s Platinum certification for LEED®-NC. The first in Texas to be awarded this prestigious award, Shangri La Gardens reached the highest green building and performance measures. The eco friendly nature retreat offers so much in education as well as a place to simply relax and enjoy our earth.
For more information on the Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center, visit the website at www.shangrilagardens dot org. There are so many resources available; it would be a shame to not check it out. You can read about the history of the center and see what is in store for its future. You will find yourself longing to visit the beautiful gardens as well as visiting beautiful Orange, Texas.
Well, my hubby is on cloud nine. He just left in his truck and he was pulling his fishing boat behind him. He loves to fish for Bluegill in southern Indiana. This time though, he is going to try his luck at fishing for crappie.
Coal mining in 1870 turned Linton into a boomtown. Linton is nestled among hundreds of lakes with the Greene-Sullivan State Forest at the edge of Linton. Boating, fishing, hunting, camping, archery and hiking are all very popular. Just north of Linton is the ever-popular Shakamak State Park.
Hallelujah! It is spring time. That means our hot dog stand is open. They sell the best Spanish hot dogs and root beer. I had not had a Spanish hot dog until I moved here to the midwest. The sauce is made similar to the following recipe but has a sweet flavor.
Rachel Ray’s Sloppy Joe DiMaggios
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds lean ground sirloin or ground turkey
1 packages beef or pork hot dogs, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon steak seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick)
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 (14.5-ounce) can tomato sauce
9 soft burger rolls - like at the ballpark
Heat the extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan, in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add meat and crumble as it browns. Add chopped hot dogs after 3 to 4 minutes then cook 3 to 4 minutes more. Add the onions to the pan and cook to soften, 5 to 6 minutes more. In a bowl mix the spices, sugar, Worcestershire and tomato sauce. Pour sauce over the meat and simmer a few minutes to combine flavors. Slop onto buns and serve.
When I order mine, I ask for cheese on top and a large rootbeer. Oh my goodness, is it ever good. Spring and summer mean Spanish hot dogs and gaining 20 pounds that are so worth it!
