In my last post, mentioned that I like to put a flag out front to commemorate special events. White Ensign for The Glorious First of June, Lone Star for Texas Independence Day, Denmark for Danish Flag Day, etc. Have chickened out on displaying the Southern Cross for Appomattox, however. Might also have run it up for Robert E. Lee's birthday, also. The Commonwealth of Virginia flag is probably more appropriate for Marse Robert, he was more a Virginian than a Confederate.

This was brought to mind because these was a news article about a gigantic Southern Cross some guys want to run up in Tampa (http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=4978568&page=1). Big enough of a fuss that it made national news.

Appomattox is a memorable date, not so much for the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as for Lee's and Grant's wisdom - Sherman's and Johnston's also – in ending the conflict sensibly. A date that made the United States what it is today.

In touring around various parts of mostly Virginia, the Southern Cross makes its appearance every so often. Once even saw it above the Stars and Stripes. It always seems to be there to make an in-your-face political or racial statement. Do not want to do that. Lived in South Carolina when they put the Southern Cross on the State House. It was not in memory of anything but was a segregation statement. Do not want to make a segregation statement. The Klan appropriated the Southern Cross for its banner. Do not want to be associated with that.

There is a very nice black family that lives next door that we are in very good terms with. Do not know what they would think. He is a pastor in a local church. They would probably not say anything but some of their parishoners would probably raise some dust. Do not want to do anything to cause difficulties.

On the other hand, if I want to put the Southern Cross in front of my house in respect for the heroic and wise decisions that happened at Appomattox, for constructive and nondivisive reasons, why should I not? Am I chickening out by not doing it?

Like to run up different flags to commenorate the date. Yesterday, replaced the Stars and Stripes with the Royal Navy's White Ensign. May 31st was the date of the first day of the Battle of Jutland and June 1st is the Glorious First of June.

The White Ensign is better looking than the Red or Blue Ensigns. The admiral who flew the Red Ensign was senior to the White. But Nelson was Vice Admiral of the White, Howe and Jellicoe were Admirals of the White, and the White Ensign is the one I happen to have.

The Glorious First of June marked Admiral Howe and the Royal Navy's questionable defeat of Admiral Villaret and the French fleet in the Bay of Biscay in 1794. Howe was an Admiral of the White. Not a spectacular victory, like Trafalgar, but it assured British control of the Bay and the Channel for the remainder of the war. Patrick O'Brian liked to mention it frequently in his books. Like “The Far Side of the World”. Many bottles drunk in salute. In remembrance of Captain Aubrey, a glass for The Glorious First of June.

Jutland is the name of the peninsula that Denmark sits on. In 1916, the German main battle fleet under Vice-Admiral Scheer made its only serious foray into the North Sea. The British Grand Fleet under the White Ensign of Admiral Sir John Jellicoe met the Germans and sent them back for the remainder of the War To End all Wars. According to Wikipedia “ It is also, by certain criteria, the largest naval battle in history.” A glass for The Grand Fleet and Jutland.

The High Desert of Nevada certainly is different. I didn't think we were in Virginia any more. The drive up from San Diego was fascinating. None of it was as fascinating or spectaular as the Valley of Fire (http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm)(http://www.webshots.com/search?query=Valley+Of+Fire+State+Park%2C+NV_14), however. The video above is from youtube stock. The photos in the slideshow are ours. Our daughter and her intended found about it on the internet. The perfect place for a wedding. http://www.vegasweddings4u.com/lambert/ for the photos and http://www.vegasweddings4u.com/lambert.html for the video.

Do not mean to imply that everything about Las Vegas is sleazy. We did enjoy seeing the casinos and all of the glamour. In most cases, having seen them once is enough. A couple of exceptions, however.

Loved the fountains at the Bellagio. Went to see and hear the presentation a couple of times. The best was hitting the Fontana Bar at five and sitting with a bunch of friends. The Fontana looks right out on the fountains. It is a spectacular and moving show. Andrea Bocelli, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion. The slideshow above is some of our photos. Do not know how the one of the old geezer with the showgirl got in there. The video below is not mine, stock from YouTube, and it does not do justice to being there but it is a hint:

If you go to Vegas, the Fountains are a must see. Several times.

And enjoyed the Luxor and the Venetian. Maybe the Luxor because we went through it with our son and his wife. And the wedding dinner was in the Venetian. There are some good things about Las Vegas.

Need to start off with a qualifying admission. Maybe I do not understand. Have never been a real gambler. Enjoy the competitive aspect of a good game of chance. And playing for money makes the game better. But the adrenaline rush of a one-armed bandit does not draw me. And when the odds start out against me and my hard-earned money, that seems like a no-brainer. Deep in my heart, I know I will never beat the house.

One strong impression of Las Vegas is, as soon as you pass the Nevada border, the casinos start. There must be a million of them. And each one is wall to wall machines. There are blank-eyed people slouched in front of them with their credit cards plugging in all hours of the day and night. Not a late night type person but passed through at the wee hours and there were few empty seats. And the question that kept coming to me was – why?

The bright lights and glitch are interesting. They are more than balanced by the sordid underbelly, however. The glitch must be tremendously expensive – paid for by ordinary folks gambling losses. I appreciate their paying for my being able to see all the lights but would rather they did not. A walk down The Strip means literally dozens of Hispanic men and women handing out cards advertising prostitution.The bright lights and glitch are interesting, but the cost is too great.

Blackjack, roulette, craps, sports betting, etc., are not as big an area of the casino floors and seemed more fun to the participants. At least they seemd to be enjoying themselves – bright eyed and alert. The odds are even stronger in the casino's favor, however. I will stick to my kitchen with some buddies.

What am I missing? Can someone please help me in my ignorance?