And our Next US President is.......

Okay, I've decided who I am going to vote for in the next US Presidental Election.  I'm putting it out front.  I'm voting for Hillary Rodham Clinton.  If you have a problem with that, just exit now.  If you want to know why, please read on.

Let me say at the beginning, there are things about each one of them that I do not like or admire. They both  have traits of being crooked, liars, and true blood gamers.  Now that being said, I am left to decide which of these people I want to head my country.

I want you to know that I am not siding with Mrs. Clinton just because she is a woman.  I don't take gender into the equation.  Are you NOT voting for Mrs. Clinton because she IS a woman? That's a biased vote!

What I do look at, is how a person treats another person in public.  Time and time again, I have heard the words of Donald Trump blasting women, immigrants, Hispanics, disabled, Muslims, and anyone who doesn't fit in at the moment   I can not believe that this racism and bigotry will end if he becomes President.  What do they say?  "It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks."  Mr. Trump counters with,  "I was just kidding!'' or "The media is too serious."  Grow up, Mr. Trump!

"Trump says it like it really is!"  Really?!?  I find it hard to believe that educated, compassionate, religious people support a person who openly and publicly shames and debases other people.  And thinks it's okay to do so.  Mr. Trump calls Mrs. Clinton "Hitler-like."  Wouldn't his racist views make him "Hitler-like" too?

I already hear you yelling that Mrs. Clinton has tricks too.  But what about...?  On and on.  Right? The only thing I can say is,  if she is guilty then why hasn't she been arrested?  She must have a great staff! I have not heard her publicly voice such comments such as Mr. Trumps.

Face it.  Hilary Clinton is better qualified and more experienced to be President. She knows the political systems of the US.  What does Mr. Trump really know about running a country?  If the way he had operated his personal business and treated his clients is any indication, then we are in trouble! It scares me to imagine that Mr. Trump could be manning the nuclear war button.  Doesn't that scare you too?

In the end, we each need to vote our conscience.  God bless America!

Until next time.  BTW, I'm eager to hear your views too.
Love ya, Theresa

I'm Back!

Well, I completely blew off blogging for July and half of August!  I'm back!  For my defense, I want to say that I've added volunteering to my social schedule.
On Monday afternoons and every other Thursday evening,  I (wo)man the admission desk at Botanica Gardens in Wichita for 4 hours with another volunteer.  I'm one of about overall 900 volunteers.  Steve often does his Thursday daily walking at Botanica while I work.
Their big winter event is Illuminations.  Here's a link for info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNmqxXUlYAk.  It will also give some idea of the garden view at Botanica.

Botanica, The Wichita Gardens

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Botanica, The Wichita Gardens
Azaleas at Botanica in 2007
Type	Botanical gardens
Location	701 North Amidon St, Wichita, KS 67203 USA
Coordinates	37°41′46″N 97°21′50″WCoordinates: 37°41′46″N 97°21′50″W
Area	17.6 acres (71,000 m2)
Created	1987

Botanica, The Wichita Gardens was opened in 1987 as a collaboration between the Wichita Area Garden Council and the City of Wichita. Originally it had four gardens and now encompasses 17.6 acres (7.12 hectares) of botanical gardens located at 701 North Amidon, Wichita, Kansas, USA. They are city-owned as part of the Wichita Park System and are operated by Botanica, Inc. a non-profit 501(c)3.

The gardens include: an aquatic collection; butterfly garden and 2,880 square foot (270 m²) butterfly house featuring pansy exhibits during the winter; greenhouse for tropical plants; juniper collection with more than 30 types of junipers;peony collection of 104 cultivars; pinetum; rock garden with sedum and sempervivum; rose garden with more than 350 rose plants; sensory garden; Shakespearean garden; woodlands with azaleas, dogwoods, elm, hackberry, honey locust,mulberry, osage orange, and redbuds; and Xeriscape demonstration garden.

Botanica opened the Downing Children's Garden in July 2011 and features several themed areas including the monster woods, salamander stream, granddaddy's musical maze, a rainbow and sunflower fountain and plaza.

A new events center opened in 2014 which will hold 299 people in chairs or 240 at tables. The inspiration for it came from the wood-and-glass Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. “It’s not a church but it can give that feeling, particularly when you have something spiritual like a wedding. It has that ambiance.” Botanica hosts more than 200 weddings a year, bringing in about 27 percent of its revenue, but it wasn’t built with such rentals in mind.

In May 2014, it was announced the 1949 Carousel from the former Joyland Amusement Park was donated to the Botanica and would be placed in the Downing Children's Garden.

In June 2015, the Chinese Garden of Friendship opened.  Here are some pictures I took from there:

Dragon Guardian

Leak Window

Foo Dog 

 Of course, there are lots of koi fish ponds!  The center picture shows the backbone of the dragon and his back legs. Two Foo Dogs guard the entrance to the Chinese garden. This garden borders the Lotus Room where many activities occur.
 This year they opened a coffee shop, visitor library, and children's library with storytime.  There's a big patronage of homeschooled children and.boy and girl scouts.  Many educational opportunities are offered for children and families of all ages.

There are always activities and events happening at Botanica.  Check out their website at http://botanica.org/

Until next time....
Stop and smell the flowers!