The Week of June 29 to July 4, 2015

For three days this week, I slept in until I woke up. Felt great to get enough sleep.
Monday I took it easy and spent time hanging out with the cats. Tuesday was my "Cinderella" day: vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing floors, grocery shopping and laundry.

My only photos from Monday and Tuesday are cute cat photos.

"I wanna hold your hand paw."

Bowie and Sunnie

Bowie, my stretch cat

Sunnie still holding paws, hours later. Aww.

Can't believe how long Bowie (our smaller cat) can stretch.

From Wednesday through Friday I worked. A huge Seventh Day Adventist General Conference is in San Antonio. They have approximately 70,000 people attending. Quite a few of them are staying at Travelers World RV Resort. We checked in close to 30 on Thursday and another 25 on Friday. At a normally quiet time of year, the park is at almost 90% occupancy! Most of this group are inexperienced RVers. It's been interesting.

Because I'm full time, Saturday was our paid holiday. The office was closed. I got to sleep in again. To me, that is the best treat in the world. I'm a night owl, so usually am burning the midnight (or later) oil.

We finally got out of the house at 2:30 p.m. and headed over to Stinson Field Airport for their July 4th Family Fun Day. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) was there with vintage planes on display. If you wanted to pay the price ($225), you could go for a ride in one of the old aircraft. We didn't, but it was fun to gawk at them.

C-47 "Bluebonnet Belle"

C-47 "Bluebonnet Belle"

B-17G "Texas Raiders"

North American B-25 J "Mitchell" bomber

If you're interested, here are specs on the "Mitchell."

"Yellow Rose" of Texas on the "Mitchell" bomber

L5-C Sentinel

B-17G "Texas Raiders"

B-17G "Texas Raiders"

B-17G "Texas Raiders" - Bob checking out the bottom gun mount

B-17G "Texas Raiders"

B-17G "Texas Raiders"

C-47 "Bluebonnet Belle" in flight

Patriotic colors

Stinson "Voyager"

There was also a car show. The Mustangs were leaving as we arrived...

Shelby Daytona

Daytona owner hamming it up at the "Yellow Rose"

"Boss" Mustang

When we finished seeing the vintage vehicles, we decided to tour the Texas Air Museum nearby.

World War II aircraft

Katherine Stinson - fourth woman pilot

Flying the hump - China, India, Burma

Air Force uniform

The following photo is quite interesting. The caption reveals that switchboards nearly always are located on the highest floors in business buildings. In London, because of air attacks, most top floors are evacuated, except for the switchboard force. Girls, sticking at their posts, wore steel helmets as protection against flying shell fragments.

Deemed the bravest workers in London

Some of the first flying machines

Love the sign. If I had some bloomers, and $1...

1968 Pietenpol Air Camper

We would have spent a lot more time at the Texas Air Museum, but they don't have air conditioning throughout the building and we were sweltering. So many interesting stories to read about "Little Vittles" (a candy airdrop to children in Germany), the First Aero Squadron in the U.S. in Texas, the "Aztec Eagles" (201st Fighter Squadron of the Mexican Expeditionary Force in World War II), U.S.-trained Mexican pilots who flew combat missions against the Axis powers in the Pacific, stories about the Stinsons, the history of Mexican politics, etc. We will go back sometime when it's cold outside (it will also be cooler inside!) to read at our leisure.

Saturday evening, we were invited to Susan and Darren's home for a 4th of July BBQ and potluck. We had an awesome feast of the proffered hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, salad, wonderful home-made punch, fresh-made salsa, chips, cherries, grapes, and three different desserts, the best of which was Susan's blueberry crisp with pecans. Mmmmmmmm!

At 7 p.m. we watched the Macy's fireworks show on TV. It was a great cap to our patriotic day. Kudos to Susan and Darren for being such good friends and inviting us over for holidays. Thank you for all the thought and work you put into the day. And thank you for your long service to our country. We love you guys.

Long live America the beautiful, home of the free and the brave!

Travel Bug out.

Freedom, What it Means -- Wed., July 4

San Antonio, Texas:

The meaning of freedom and the significance of the 4th of July holiday were foremost in my mind when I thought about a topic for today. To me, freedom is not taken for granted. Our freedom is achieved at a cost (my humble thanks to our forefathers, the people of our country, our allies, and our troops) and gives us certain inalienable rights:

1. Freedom of religion, speech, peaceful assembly, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.
2. A well-regulated Militia shall not be infringed; right of the people to keep and bear arms.
3. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
6. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
7. In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
9. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendments 11-17 are more complicated. You can view them here: Bill of Rights Amendments 11-17.

Let's never forget What it Means to be an American this Fourth of July, copyright by Van D. Hipp, Jr. of FoxNews.com

Welcome to a new subscriber Lynn who writes two blogs: Daily Om and Words to Live By. Thanks for joining us!

Travel Bug out enjoying the sunshine with hubby. Photos below.

Pool at Traveler's World (unknown person at pool)

Laundry room has 8 washers/8 dryers, A/C, TV, iron and ironing board.

Bob enjoying the day.

 And one of Sunnie being, well, Sunnie!

Mine,  mine, mine!