Magical Moment 546, "On the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown"

Most people who know Eddie and myself will agree quite readily, that out of the 2 of us, I am the worry wart. There are few things that will get Eddie worked up or anxious. "Missed my flight? Eh. Late for work? It'll be fine. Riding in a death cab? When it's my time to go, it's my time." I on the other hand am fairly certain I'm in the process of giving myself a large ulcer due to stress. That's one reason why this trip to the Grand Canyon has been a welcome and unexpected change in our roles.

Of all the things that bother me, heights has never been one of them. While Eddie spent the day in his Park Ranger Training (the whole reason we're out here in the first place), I explored several hiking trails and found the PERFECT one! It was right on the edge. Not so much as a rock wall or fence to keep us from creeping up to the very brim of the enormous hole in the earth.

Proud of my discovery, I took Eddie to the trail, excited to take some pictures out on the great, open canyon. I was shocked to see him immediately become nervous. "Now, stay at least 6 feet back," he began. I dismissed that instruction immediately. The best shots are on the edge!

In Eddie's training, he had been taught the statistics. Nineteen people per year parish at the Grand Canyon from a fall, or otherwise. Just yesterday, sadly, a German tourist was killed when she was struck by lightning. And while he told me all these facts, none of them really scared me.

"Come on," I coaxed, "Let's just get a few shots on one of these ledges that stick out." I went first, hoping he would see that it's not scary.

"Okay, that's far enough" he told me, his voice becoming anxious. But I kept going.

"Uh...." he started nervously, "You know you're my only reason for living, right?"

I had to laugh. Poor Eddie. We took our few photos on the edge then walked back, six feet in. He had to return to his class for the afternoon, but I went back to the trail, walking and snapping photos. Right on the edge.

(Those photos tomorrow)

I did my best "Tarzan" yell.

Eddie didn't.

Nor was he amused when I pretended to fall.

Magical Moment 625, "Thailand - the Elephants"

Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do not endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le

Magical Moment 620, "Lilac Garden"

Eddie and I visited the Lilac Gardens at Ringwood Manor in New Jersey, a pristine and beautiful state park with 8 species of lilacs and several varieties within. We went on a rainy afternoon, which turned out perfect because the rain stopped for us when we got there, and began again as soon as we left. It also decorated the plants with gorgeous rain drops, adding to their beauty. And now for a quick game of "Where's Elizabeth?" And "Where's Eddie?" ~~Have a great weekend! ~~

Magical Moment 280, "The Eleventh Hour"

The Veterans Day Parade, NYC On July 29, 2001 , five exceptional men were honored by the President of the United States for their remarkable military service. They were involved in a top secret mission that required unfathomable intelligence and as a result, literally won a battle which was instrumental in winning the war. Not the war that was happening in 2001, not even the Gulf War. It was World War II, and they were the Navajo Code Talkers who were largely responsible for winning the bloody battle of Okinawa. The only problem with the ceremony was that just 5 remained of the original 29. Our country was too late in thanking the other 24, and nearly too late in thanking those 5 men. On March 10, 2010, three hundred women won the Congressional Gold medal for their outstanding war service. Unfortunately, 800 received the award posthumously. These were the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, who devoted themselves to flying military aircraft like the B-26 and B-

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