I have a problem with the mindset of the people in this part of the state or maybe even the country. I don't know if it's just here or statewide but today I was listening to a local radio station. I rarely listen to the radio, instead I listen to music of my choice, my cd's. Big mistake listening to "live" radio today. About every 10 minutes when they would take a commercial break it was about winning beer. If you go to some certain store and buy 60, yes, 60 cans of beer, you will be entered to win a vending machine full of....drum roll please....more beer. As someone who had an alcoholic father, was married to an alcoholic and then made another mistake of living with someone for 7 years that was also an alcoholic, I abhor beer. Period. Can I just say WTF this one time? I mean, really, it's pretty much what people around here think about all the time. Beer, booze, bars, etc. You get the picture. I hate it and I find commercials giving away beer offensive, especially when you have to buy 60, SIXTY, cans to even be entered. It's offensive to me and anyone that has had to deal with alcoholism. I almost feel like going to buy the dumb beer in hopes that I could win and then in front of the camera's, dump it all out! Oh yeah, that would make everyone scream! But I won't. I don't have the money to waste on the 60 cans of beer I'd need to buy to enter. Bleh, I need to just forget about it and focus on something positive. But really, I must get moved away from here and this midwest mindset. There is way more to life than beer.
I've made a lot of beads the last couple days. Some for etsy and some for custom work. Both yesterday and today I started early so I could finish up early and get out to do some late afternoon hiking. The weather has been phenomenal and I want to enjoy it as much as I can. The dogs are loving it too. Rosie has been so pooped out that she sleeps all the way home.



On my way home tonight I saw this irrigation system with the sun setting just as I was passing by. I had to back my truck up to get the perfect shot. This just kind of epitomized the country I live in, (just need a can of beer tucked in the corner somewhere, huh?), ok, ok, I'm being facetious. But really, it's flat here and lots of farming. I just thought this was a cool photograph.

I'll post more pics in the morning, maybe of beads and more scenery.