California's Got Snow

NPS Photo by Brad Sutton
While we're still waiting for the white stuff here in Central Texas, my friends in California are covered in it!    (And I don't just mean on the mountains...there is snow DOWN THE HILL!).  Well, I guess it's California's turn.  Enjoy it while you can Californians! Stay safe, dress warn, drive slow, etc. etc.!



Shared on Throwback Thursday

Charity Auction to Fight Human Trafficking (Modern Slavery)

I've done some research on Love146, and it is a wonderful organization.  You may notice there's some Texas item from Texas in the mix too, like this pillowcase embroidered with Nacogdoches, TX...

and this t-shirt...

I hope everyone will visit this auction and consider buying a gift for Christmas that will help fight human trafficking (modern slavery). If you are looking for another way to help fight slavery, please consider participating in the Hearts Should Be Free event next month at my other blog.  Bidding starts at 7 PM December 4th.

Sky Watch Friday

Sky Watch Friday
Throwback Thursday

WHEREVER WEDNESDAY - 2 YEAR ANNIVERARY!!

Welcome to This is Wherever Wednesday!   At Wherever Wednesday we share those little moments that show the character of the places we live:  those "This is California, this is Cambridge, Costa Rica moments."  Wherever you are, or wherever you've been...you can share your posts about those places here.

This month is the TWO YEAR anniversary of Wherever Wednesday being at Texifornia!  So, if you have been "traveling" with us for a while, I invite you to share  one of your favorite OLD Wherever Wednesday posts so we can take a look back (and maybe a new post too!).  (And so sorry folks that this post was a little late...if you've been traveling for a while with us you know that happens sometimes)

As always, I want to share a few posts from last week, in case you missed them...and there were so many good ones.  

• A fascinating snapshot of Johanasburg from Living in Africa
• A slice of life from San Ignacio, Belize, from Los Gringos Locos
• A hike through the wood to explore the ruins of a 19th century sugar mill on Vieques Island, from Vagrants of the World

I promised to share some of my favorite posts from old Wherever Wednesday's too..  So hard to choose,    If you haven't seen them before, I hope you'll check out at least one of these wonderful posts.  

This is Grenada - Budget Blond

One of the first "Wherever Wednesday" posts I read, back on Budget Blond, who started this whole things.  It was short and sweet and nearly all text, but the cultural snippets were so fascinating I was hooked immediately.

Bum Jeep (This is Grenada) - Whitticisms

Another "This is Grenada" story that had me laughing so hard I was crying.

This is Up North Minnesota - Nanas Notes

One of the first posts after TIWW moved

to Texifornia, and exactly what TIWW is about.

This is North Carolina - Make it Count

Real lighthouses and Lawn Lighthouses...just the sort of 

regional quirk that I love hearing about.

This is Guatamala/This is the USA/This is Normal?  - Simply Complicated

This was the most moving, most worldview changing post that ever graced This is Wherever Wednesday.  

This is Crawfordville - Bohemian Babushka

I just had to share one of Babushka's wonderful, humor filled posts.  Hard to pick which one,

but I settled on this one about her home town, which gets better and better the further down you get.

This is the Colorado River - Grace, Grits and Gardening

The combination of her beautiful photos and exquisite wording made me feel like I was there,

feet sinking in the muddy water, hand on the paddle.  

If you're new to Wherever Wednesday and are wondering what's this all about...every month we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live:  your "this is North Dakota, Denmark, Delaware, Dubai"  WHEREVER" moments.     If you're still a little uncertain what that means, this post over at Budget Blond will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  

An InLinkz Link-up

Where is Wherever Wednesday?

Yep, on the 2 year anniversary of This is Wherever Wednesday...I forgot to post it.  So sorry.  I have decided to postpone this this month to the 2nd Wednesday.  (November 12)

Texas Elections: Last Minute Research

There's still time to research your vote Texans!  I'd like to share some resources with you.  Sorry that this is a no frills list.  Still doing research myself and will add to this list as I get more resources.  On debates and articles, if I know of a fact check on any of the issues, I will include it underneath that link.

If you're in that spot where you haven't done any research, you still have time, even on the last day, to research one race.  Don't feel bad if you don't vote in all the races.  If you make an informed vote in ONE race you've done something good.

List of All Candidates
Get a Sample Ballot at Vote 411
(There's a form on the side where you can enter your info
 and get a listing of all the elected offices that will be on your local ballot) 

DEBATES

Govenor Debate
-FACT CHECK on accusation that Abbot ruled that "Payday Lenders" (who supported his campaign) could charge unlimited fees (Rated True by Politifact)
-Note:  I have not finished watching this debate, so have not completed listing fact checks for it either.

Lt. Govenor Debate
-FACT CHECK on accusation of Patrick voting against testing Rape kits (Rated "Pants on Fire" or Completely False by Politifact)
-FACT CHECK on accusation that Van de Putte voted to give illegal immigrants "totally free healthcare"  (Rated False by Politifact)
-FACT CHECK on accusation that Patrick said women not getting equal pay is "not a problem" (Rated Half True by Politifact)
-FACT Check on Van de Putte's statement that the company that evaluates student exams ""goes on Craigslist to get examiners to read our students’ essays." (RATED Mostly False)
-FACT CHECK on whether Patrick "put back" education spending he had taken away during downturn  (This is a check on something he said outside the debates, but he said something similar here as well, so I'm including it).

Comptroller Debates 

Railroad Commissioner Forum 
(Railroad Commissioner has nothing to do with railroads anymore, but regulates oil, gas and other natural resources in TX)  Sadly the Republican candidate did not show for this.

Texas Agricultural Commissioner Forum  
Sadly only the Libertarian candidate showed for this.

Attorney General (Sort of...see note below)
I could not find a debate between the Attorney General's candidate...but I was interested enough that I went back and looked at the Primary debate including the Republican Paxton, and have outlined in the link above where you can find his responses in the video.  You can also find the Libertarian Primary debate here.  I could not locate any Democratic primary debates.

Fact Check Sites
These fact check sites below, especially the first one, have checks on these and more candidates,
including things they have said in speeches and political ads.  

Politifact Texas

Fact Check.org

Voters Guides

Texas League of Women's Voters Guide

Has candidate answers to various questions, and also good explanations of

the duties/requirements of each of the offices.  Also has information on the Texas Constitutional
Amendments up for a vote this year.

Christian Voter Guides

This has links to several voter guides, many of which could be used by 

non-Christian voters as well to see how candidates stand on various issues.

Some of the linked guides portray objective information like voting records, 

while others use more subjective measurements.

Attorney General

I looked for dates between the Attorney General candidates and could find none, however, I did find some debates in the primary and thought what they said in those debates might be telling.  Actually, didn't find any debates including the Democrat (Sam Houstan), but did find one with Paxton. I only watched one part of it (it was four parts...Part 1 was all introduction, and Paxton came in half way into Part 2.  Below you can see what time on the video you can see his answers...




11.49 - Question: How have you reduced the size and scope of State Government.

Paxton's answer followes immediately.

14:35 Question: (Paraphrased)  If you were Attorney General today, describe what you would be doing about an investigation into 1: UT Law School Foundation payola to UT Law Professors 2) UT preference shown to unqualified students of politicans and donors.

17:17 Paxton's Answer

20:50 Question: (paraphrased) The court has ruled that property Owners do not have a Constitutionally Protected Vest Right in Property Uses.  What is your view of this rulign?

23:24 Paxton's Answer

27:30  Question: (paraphrased) Define the terrm "Activist Attorney".  Would you be one?

Paxton's answer followes immediately.

34:09 Question: (paraphrased) Define Cancer Research Institute Secret Scandal and how it could have been avoided.

26:45 Paxton's Answer

40:49 Question: (paraphrased) If elected Attorney General would you then "trade up" for higher offic?  What is your position on the Emerging Tech Fund, the Texas Enterprize Fun and the Special Events Fund aka Forumula 1 Racing.

My Heart's Home

Someone did some beautiful time-lapse videos in the mountains where I grew up...I've stood in many of the places where these were shot.  I'd like to share this with you...

Mountain Skies Time-Lapse from Jason Bates on Vimeo. 
Click here to view larger (Larger is way better)

31 Days...Postponed Until Next Year...

THIS SERIES IS BEING POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT YEAR

I was very excited to do this, but after the posting this and then mulling over ideas today,  I just didn't feel at peace about going forward with the  "31 Days of Blogging" challenge right now.   But I love the idea of this topic, so, provided we are still in Texas this time next year, I will give it another shot.






MY ORIGINAL POST:


I believe it is so important to vote, but more than that, it's important to be a GOOD VOTER.  What does that mean?  Well, primarily, I believe that means researching your vote.   It means learning about the issues and learning about the candidates.  And, it's scary how many people vote without doing this.

• I first learned about this problem when I was still a teen.  Our high school English teacher assigned us to research and defend ballot measures (which in California, where I grew up, all voters get to vote on).  After we gave our presentations, my teacher surprized me by saying "You all are probably know more about these bills than most of the people who will be voting on them."  

• In college I read a study of voters in local elections.  In the Texas town they studied only 4% of people voted in local elections, and when they polled people on why they voted for who they voted for, a large number knew very little about voters, but voted based on things like "I like their name better" or "I like the way he looks better."   Unfortunately, I've met enough people along the way that have told me they voted based on things like that, or just as trivial.

So, that's why I wanted to focus on "getting ready to vote" for the 31 day blogging challenge.  I AM NOT going to push my political views on you (save the view that no one should "take a wild guess for their country").  What I plan to do in daily posts this October is show you how to research your vote, so that you can vote in a way that truly supports YOUR views.   As you notice from the graphic above, I'm going to focus on voting in TEXAS, but some of the information I'll cover over the first few days will be helpful in preparing anyone to vote.  

But that doesn't mean I don't want to hear YOUR political views.  I'm hoping the comments section will be a place to share thoughtful, well researched opinions on the candidates.  Also, later this month I will posting up a linky encouraging Texas bloggers to share what their opinions on the TX candidates and measure this year.    That will be posted some time in the next week.

I hope you'll join me for this journey.    

'Gale

  

This is Wherever Wednesday (#23)

Welcome to This is Wherever Wednesday!   At Wherever Wednesday we share those little moments that show the character of the places we live:  those "This is Kansas, this is Des Moines, This is the Phillipines, or  Morocco  moments."  Wherever you are, or wherever you've been...you can share your posts about those places here.

And I have some news.  Next month is our TWO YEAR anniversary of Wherever Wednesday being at Texifornia!  So, to celebrate  NEXT MONTH I'd like to have people share, in addition to any new posts they want to share, an OLD Wherever Wednesday post.  And I'll be featuring some of my favorites through the past two years too.    Thought I'd give you a little advanced warning!

Now, usually I share a couple of hightlights from last month... but, you may notice if you look below that last month's links are still there.  That's because I couldn't get the new linky to work (some problem at inlinx where the "submit" button wasn't showing up...I'm writing them about it).  So, I just extended the date of last month's linky and included it here, since it's code was still working right.   

If you're new to Wherever Wednesday and are wondering what's this all about...every month we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live:  your "this is North Dakota, Denmark, Delaware, Dubai"  WHEREVER" moments.     If you're still a little uncertain what that means, this post over at Budget Blond will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  

An InLinkz Link-up

40% Off Texifornia Pillows

Check out these fun pillows with my photos and designs. You can use coupon code ZPILLOWFIGHT for 40% off pillows at my Texifornia Zazzle Shop or any of my other Zazzle shops through Oct. 1...AND the same coupon code gets you get 20% off NEARLY everything else in my shops (everything save stamps and a few of my posters--which have a lesser discount).



Can't be combined with other offers, including bulk discounts.

This is Wherever Wednesday (#22)

Welcome to This is Wherever Wednesday!   At Wherever Wednesday we share those little moments that show the character of the places we live:  those "This is Alabama, this is Detroit, This is Bolivia, or This is Finland  moments."  Wherever you are, or wherever you've been...you can share your posts about those places here.

Every week I like to share a few highlights from the previous week...
So, if you missed any of those last week I hope you'll take the time to check them out now.

• All That Glitters shared a peek at a wedding in Chicago..
• Art Sea Chick shared a 12 things to do in Texas in winter.

And, if you're new to Wherever Wednesday and are wondering what's this all about...every month we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live:  your "this is Carthage, Canada, California"  WHEREVER" moments.     If you're still a little uncertain what that means, this post over at Budget Blond will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  

An InLinkz Link-up

A Mild Texas Summer

"This is, after all, Texas, and it's only by the grace of some current climatic weirdness that we're not slow-cooking in our own juices already."
~Owl farmer on a recent  post about Texas Summer

THIS was a mild summer.  A WEIRD summer for Texas.  But I can totally deal with weird.

Sure, it got into the hundreds a lot last month, but it actually got into the eighties too!  THE EIGHTIES, in AUGUST!  And so much rain.  I've been so thankful for that, not just for the cool it brought, but also because Texas needs it so much.  I have hardly had to water my lawn.  It's been LOVELY.

And gardening this summer has been great.  My one remaining swiss chard took over the back part of my raised bed, and made the basil turn into little trees climbing above it, taller than my 6 year old.  We collected onions all summer, and they didn't turn bitter and baked like they have in past, hotter summers when I've left them in the ground too long.  And, I had a couple firsts:  My first successful cucumber, and, right now, cultivating my first PUMPKIN...

Check THAT out.  Also, got to try cooking Stuffed Pumpkin Flowers, which are delicious!

Anyways, hope you thoroughly enjoyed this mild Texas summer, as I did.

Linking up with...

 

and

5 RAINBOWS!

I saw FIVE rainbows on my drive this morning.  FIVE!  I couldn't stop to catch most of them but are three of the ones I did catch (the first pic has two if you can catch it...you might need to click on the pic to see it larger)..

And even without the rainbows the skies were gorgeous...

Sky Watch Friday
Throwback Thursday

This is Wherever Wednesday

Welcome to This is Wherever Wednesday!   At Wherever Wednesday we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live:  your "This is Los Angelos, this is London, This is New Hampshire, or This is Brazil moments."  Wherever you are, or wherever you've been...you can share your posts about those places here.

Every week I like to share a few highlights from the previous week...
So, if you missed any of those last week I hope you'll take the time to check them out now.

• From Life in Random Bits, there was some lovely pictures of Ohio.
• From A Bit of Whimsy there was another great post about Nicaragua.
• From Waco Mom there was an explosion of Texas Wildflowers.

And, if you're new to Wherever Wednesday and are wondering what's this all about...every month we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live:  your "this is  Indianapolis, Iowa, India, Ireland"  WHEREVER" moments.     If you're still a little uncertain what that means, this post over at Budget Blond will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks to everyone who shares the graphic below on their post or sidebar! It's not required, but it sure is appreciated!

<a href="http://texifornia.blogspot.com/search/label/This%20is%20Wherever%20Linky"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw67B1sJyOs4YeBDWa4qqEJ1tu-XY3Xc8GmOUkP2wMhaUX7LSt4FCbcTfDG1rwyv3Ed5L0G0_D1eQ-EDcUN_yh9IhVf70odUAyagid4Zuj6ccp3YPva18E4t6TmTvivBHIzfOTaw/s1600/WhereverWORLD300.jpg" width="150" /></a>

New Postcard! (And 50% off ALL Postcards TODAY)

All postcards at my Zazzle Shop are 50% off TODAY with coupon code POSTCARDDEAL. And, I have a two new postcard designs to share--one with the Waco Suspension Bridge and Texas Longhorn Sculpture, and another of the cowboy sculpture (both part of the "Branding the Brazos" series by Robert Summers).  This coupon above good at my other Zazzle shops too.

Waco Suspension Bridge by Texifornia

This is Wherever Wednesday

Welcome to This is Wherever Wednesday!   At Wherever Wednesday we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live:  your "This is Michigan, Miami,  Malawi WHEREVER" moments. 

Every week I like to share a few highlights from the previous week...

• Drink Life Deeply shared several "T.I.N. (This is Nicaragua) moments, a refreshing perspective on a place I've heard about often but know so little about.  
• Side Street Style shared about their trip to Brussles (loved the fun photos!) 
• Crazy Running Girl shared her hiking adventure in Pedernales State Park.

So, if you missed any of those last week I hope you'll take the time to check them out now.

And, if you're new to Wherever Wednesday and are wondering what's this all about...every month we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live:  your "This is Wisconsin,  Boston,  India,  WHEREVER" moments.     If you're still a little uncertain what that means, this post over at Budget Blond will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks to everyone who shares the graphic below on their post or sidebar! It's not required, but it sure is appreciated!

<a href="http://texifornia.blogspot.com/search/label/This%20is%20Wherever%20Linky"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw67B1sJyOs4YeBDWa4qqEJ1tu-XY3Xc8GmOUkP2wMhaUX7LSt4FCbcTfDG1rwyv3Ed5L0G0_D1eQ-EDcUN_yh9IhVf70odUAyagid4Zuj6ccp3YPva18E4t6TmTvivBHIzfOTaw/s1600/WhereverWORLD300.jpg" width="150" /></a>

TX and CA Giveaways

Found the following giveaways that I thought might be of  interest to Texifornians.

Orange County Fair Tickets (7/2) Orange County, CA

Mt. Playmore Annual Pass (7/7) Austin, TX

Texas Metal Star (7/11)

Mockingbird Chick

About a month ago I went out to water my potted plants, and as I went to get the hose this grey bird started going CRAZY chirping and ruffling it's feathers and doing everything it could to get my attention.  It even swooped at me.  "Hmm...I thought.  Must be a nest nearby.  Good mama"

But as it turns out, it wasn't the nest she was concerned about.  When I went to water my flowers I almost watered this little guy...

"How on earth did he get there?" I thought.  These planters weren't under any trees, or anywhere else there might be a nest.  I wondered what I should do...but in the meantime brought my children out to take a look.

"Do you see the baby bird?  Don't get too close.  You don't want to scare it.   Just look...don't touch."

Afterwards I went online to identify it's mom, and see what I should do.   Our mother and baby were  Mockingbirds--the Texas State Bird.   I can't believe I've lived here all this time and never knew what our state bird looked like.  I've seen these birds all around but just never tried to find out what they were.  I didn't get a good picture of the mom, but here's one from Wikimedia Commons...

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

Photo by DickDaniels - http://carolinabirds.org

Not only is this bird the Texas State Bird, it's also the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee  (and used to be the state bird of South Carolina).  On Florida's site about this bird I learn this...

  When the chicks are about 12 days old, they will venture from the nest and hop around on the ground or in low shrubs. During this transitional period (after leaving the nest and before they can fly), the young birds are still in the care of the parents, who feed them up to five times per hour. If found hopping around on the ground, they should be placed low in a tree or in a shrub and left alone. The parents will continue to care for them for several days until they learn to forage for themselves.
- The Florida Gardener

My mom, who always kept birdfeeders out and full, once commented on this bird.  "I used to like those birds," she said, "...until I saw how they bullied the other birds.  They chase away any other birds that come around."  I wish I could have shared with her what I learned (she passed away last summer).  She would have loved seeing the baby bird we found, and I think knowing that these birds acted the way they did to protect their fledglings would have warmed her heart towards them.  She was fierce like that as a mother too.

Throwback Thursday

This is Wherever Wednesday

Welcome to This is Wherever Wednesday (um...Friday)!  SORRY I'M LATE.    Here's why:

1. May was CRAZY!  A good kind of crazy, yes.  My birthday, our anniversary, Mother's Day, and all sorts of end of the school year activities all happen this month.
2. For the last two weeks I've been sick as a dog.  
3. This was the last week of school and I've been going to school stuff with my kids nearly every day of it.  

So anyways, THANK YOU to everyone who posted last week.  I enjoyed every single post.  Here are a few of my faves:  

• Crazy Running Girl shared a post about her first six months in Austin, Texas.  She moved there from Brooklyn, NY.  I always say that when people move to a new place they notice things about it that long time locals just take in stride, and this post is a perfect example of that.  Loved seeing Austin through a New Yorkers' eyes.  (You might also enjoy her 10 Things about NYC post, and for the same reason.)
• Bailey from Let Birds Fly shared a lot of great posts...but my favorite was a post about Lost Maples State Park, TX.  I loved all the beautiful pictures, and wished I had known about this place while my mom was still here.  She was from New England and would have loved the reminder of home--I wish I could have taken her there.  
• Tayla of Grits, Grace and Gardening shared a beautiful comparison of Spring and Fall in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

So, if you missed any of those last week I hope you'll take the time to check them out now.

And, if you're new to Wherever Wednesday and are wondering what's this all about...every month we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live:  your "This is Wisconsin,  Boston,  India,  WHEREVER" moments.     If you're still a little uncertain what that means, this post over at Budget Blond will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  

The linky is open all month!  Thanks for participating!

An InLinkz Link-up

Dear Texas Drivers,

Thanks to Bill Abbot for use of the picture above. 

OK, Texans (well, some of you...you'll know who you are)...I want to share with you about a useful communication tool in your car.  It's called a BLINKER.   You use it to let other people know that you are turning into their lane  (really, that's what it's for).  When you see someone using their blinker, you are supposed to slow down to let that car into your lane.   If ya'll can't manage that, at least have the courtesy to maintain your speed in stead of speeding up to block the person from getting in.

Cause Texans, I know you all pride yourself in your Southern hospitality.  And honestly, it's true--ya'll are nice people, by and large.  That is, until you get into the car, and then all that hospitality gets thrown out the window.

Really, California has you beat on that.  And it's not just my own idealized memory.   My friend and her husband from New England were telling me about how they noticed that on their last trip to California:  "When people there put on their blinkers, they do it well ahead of when they are going to merge, and everyone, universally, just slows down to let them in."  My friend thought it was so polite.

And politeness is a good thing, right?  If we rewarded people by letting them in when they use their blinker, maybe more people would use them, and we'd have safer, friendlier roads.  Wouldn't that be great?

So, Texans, DRIVE FRIENDLY and PLEASE use your blinker or at least be nicer to those who do.  Thanks.

Sincerely,
A Texifornia Girl

(OK, rant finished).

This is Wherever Wednesday is a Little Late...

So sorry...may is my crazy busy month.  It will be up soon.

This is Wherever Wednesday

Welcome to This is Wherever Wednesday!   At Wherever Wednesday we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live:  your "This is Wisconsin, Boston,  Zambi, the Carribian, WHEREVER" moments. 

Every week I like to share a few highlights from the previous week.  Last week was all Texas:

• Life, Lemons and Lemonade shared beautiful pictures in the Texas Bluebonnets.
• Waco Mom shared a day at the farm, in, you guessed it, Waco, TX.

Please leave your "This is Wherever" posts on the linky below (whether your wherever is "Canada, Camaroon or the Cambridge").    If you're still a little uncertain what that means, this post over at Budget Blond will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  Thanks for participating! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Garden Bloom Day: A Natural Beauty

They're back!  Those beautiful wild pink evening primroses have come up again!   

They even manage to make my messy yard look beautiful.

I can take no credit for planting or cultivating these lovelies.
They were a gift from nature and come up faithfully every year.
I just be careful to mow around them.

See more lovelies at
Garden Bloom Day and Wildflower Wednesday

This is Wherever Wednesday

Welcome to This is Wherever Wednesday!   At Wherever Wednesday we share those little moments that really show the character of the places we live.  Those times that just make you think "This is Texas"  (or New Jersey, Omaha,  Afghanistan, Berlin or WHEREVER.)

As always, I want to share a couple of the highlights from last month.   

• At Hi Lovely we got to a taste of the Texas Independence Day festival.
• On Nepal: A Tourist's Manual we got to experience house hunting in Nepal.

Please leave your "This is Wherever" posts on the linky below (whether your wherever is "Alaska, Amsterdam or the Ivory Coast").    If you're still a little uncertain what that means, this post over at Budget Blond will help you out.  And, though it's not required, I'd love if you would grab the This is Wherever button on the sidebar and share it in your post or somewhere else on your blog!  Thanks for participating! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Local Giveaways and More

Local giveaways for Californians and Texans, and giveaways with Texifornian interest.

(4/20) California Love Necklace
(4/21)  Texas Timber Baby Baseball Bat

(4/21)  Art Garage Austin Gift Certificates - Austin, TX

If you know of a Texas or California giveaway I don't have here, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.

Spring Sale at My Texifornia Zazzle Shop!

Use coupon code SPRINGSFLING for...

65% off Cards, Postcards, and Invitations

50% off Posters and Canvas Prints

40% Off Mugs and Pillows

30% Off Sandals, Shirts, and Bags

15% Off Everything Else*

Good at  my other Zazzle shops too!  
Scribbleprints and Photos by Gale

Sale Ends 3/25/214

Only good at Zazzle shops, not my CafePress shops.  For Custom Stamps, the 15% discount is only on  the difference between the price of the Zazzle Custom Stamps (excluding shipping and taxes) and the face value of the postage.    Can not be combined with other discounts.  

Sky Watch Friday

The sky behind my neighbor's tree.  Just rediscovered these pictures and had to share them.  

Sky Watch Friday

Giveaways 4 Texifornians

The following giveaways have California and/or Texas appeal, for my Californian and Texan readers!  Lots of local stuff.  These are usually low entry too.

FOR CALIFORNIANS, TEXANS, and EVERYONE:


(3/8) Unexpected Texas Book, Journal, and Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine
        Various giveaways...see links underneath.

(3/9) Texas Grapefruit Gift Basket


JUST FOR CALIFORNIANS

(3/13)  Wiggles and Giggles Consignment Pre-Sale Pass and $25 GC (Glendora, CA)

(3/21) Easter Extravaganza Tickets (Irving, CA)

(3/28) DinosourAmazed Tickets (Pomona, CA)



JUST FOR TEXANS

(3/9)  Zooma Run Entry (Austin, TX)

(3/15) Hawaiian Falls Week of Splash Camp  (Pflugerville, Waco, The Colony, Garland, Mansfield, White Settlement and Roanoke, TX)

(?)  Lake Travis Zip Line Passes (Volente, TX)

(?) Texas Frog Fest Tickets (Crystal Beach, TX)




Oh, and I found a blog with a whole section just for California Giveaways Here.  Cool huh?  You might want to buzz over there to see if there's any new CA giveaways I missed.