Well, once again Thanksgiving is upon us here in the U.S.A., so I'm blogging some of the things that I am thankful for.

1. I am thankful that I grew up in the United States. Yeah, I know the U.S. is not perfect, but it's the "land that I love" and I wouldn't want to grow up anywhere else.


2. I am thankful that I grew up in a household of modest means with parents that were not the "jet setting social butterfly" type of people. We always had a roof over our heads, clothes to wear and food on the table.


3. I am thankful that I grew up and my surname was not Bates. Imagine going to a formal event with the "social butterfly" kind and they introduce your parents: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Here is Mr. And Mrs. Bates and their young son, Master Bates". (a little side note for those of you who may not know this. In the U.S., male minor children are addressed as "Master". Childhood can be rough enough as it is and I am forever thankful that I didn't have to endure that kind of embarrassment.

Here is some photos of our Pepsi Can Chicken we had this last Sunday. Our 1st attempt at grilling a whole chicken on the bbq.






Turn out quite nicely if the truth be told.

Was going for a walk this afternoon and saw this butterfly and had to get a few photos.



These are the flowers in our front yard.

In The Master Bedroom


On The Front Porch

A Helicopter flying in the canyon.(not sure if you can see it).



A River Runs Through It.

Our trip to the Grand Canyon Skywalk in May 2014.



now turning to the right this is the view you get.



Looking down from above. Keep in mind that the glass platform you are standing on is 4,500 feet above the canyon floor.