Sagittarius Viking
Mindful exploring, through the eyes of a viking daughter.
Weekend Coffee Share; Red Rock Canyon, and DNA Testing
How was your week? Can I get you some coffee? This week we’re enjoying the magical brew in Red Rock Canyon. I got off work a little earlier on Tuesday, and enjoyed a marvelous, sunny afternoon in Red Rock Canyon National Preservation Area. I would love for us to have our coffee chat this week overlooking the beautiful Red Rock Canyon. Are you game?
I love walking among the scattered Joshua Trees (much smaller than in Mojave National Preserve,) while breathing the fresh mountain air. Over there is a perfect place to sit down and have some coffee!
Did you see the big herd of burros on the drive here? Actually I believe there was two different herds, just close to each other. I counted to 30+ animals. The biggest number I ever seen together. Previously I’ve only see 5-8 animals in a herd. How is your coffee?
Did you celebrate Valentine’s Day earlier this week? I spent the evening doing arts and crafts with my daughter, that was what she wanted to do. If you think too much about it, it’s kind of very depressing to be single on Valentine’s Day. Something I somehow managed to be most of my life. LOL. I choose to not overthink that, and make sure my daughter’s day was special. She put a lot of effort into making individual cards to all her friends. I unexpectedly got a beautiful, Columbia fleece jacket as a Valentine’s gift from the family I work for. I thought that was very sweet. They also got my daughter a thoughtful gift.
..and they actually got my dog a new toy for Valentine’s Day as well! (Not in the picture.)
Do you need a refill on that coffee?
I believe I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I did a DNA test? I got the results today. No big surprises. The most interesting might be that I have 264 Neanderthal variants, which is high. Being RH negative (not having the Rhesus factor in my blood,) this was actually one of the things I was most curious about.
European 100.0% ; Scandinavian 79.6%, Finnish 8.2%, Eastern European 4.0%, British & Irish 2.2%, Broadly Northwestern European 5.4%, Broadly European 0.5%.
Have you done a DNA test? Would you?
Well, I promised to take my daughter to the park, so I better get going before it gets dark. Thank you so much for having coffee with me. I hope you enjoyed the view!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Love,
Ms Zen
I recently read Noah Harari’s book Sapiens and in it he said that many of us have Neanderthal heritage.Apparently they had bigger brains than Homo Sapiens but they did not manage to survive. I have not thought too much about getting DNA testing done. I know my families history for several hundred years but nonetheless it would be interesting. Beautiful photos of a stunning part of the world.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I have not read that book, but it’s true. I think it’s very intersting. I’ll look into that book. Thank you for the tips. I’m so happy you enjoyed the photos. We actually went back today, but to another part of the valley. It’s a huge area. I hope your weekend is fabulous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I heard that they were promoting ‘Galentine’s’ Day, where you went out with a bunch of girlfriends for dinner and laughs. Sounds like you and your daughter were trendy and had a nice one. 🙂 I was a florist for a number of years and it is the worst day ever to be in that job – lol!
Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes! That’s what we did, we had a fabulous Galentines day 🙂 Thank you my friend 🙂 When I worked as a baker Valentine’s Day was a pretty obnoxious day as well.. The weekend is great so far. We went rock climbing today. It was cold, beautiful, and so much fun! I hope your weekend is equally beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos MJ! Mojave Desert love. 🌵🌞🌴
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much John! I’m starting to get hooked on Red Rock 🙂 We went hiking and climbing in Calico Hills this morning, it was absolutely fabulous! I hope you’re having a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I am. Have you drove the Loop? The fee area just past Calico Basin? Great spots for photos up there. It’s also my favorite local place. 😎
LikeLike
I have never been to Red Rock Canyon Maria – thanks for the quick and gorgeous glimpse.
About being single over Valentines Day – this sounds like a long conversation because this would be such a complex topic. But you have a wonderful daughter and clearly love her dearly and by many measures, a wonderful life. You also know that being single frees you from lots of things that come with marriage, so I’m not sure I’m ready to say it’s sad to be single on a day for lovers. Like I said, it would be a good, but long chat.
Hmmm, about the DNA test. My family is such a great bunch of mutts, I’m not sure that there is much of interest there for me. Would I be shocked or concerned or thrilled to learn for sure that I was part Danish, Irish, Somaian, Ameriican or Asian Indian? It might be entertaining for an hour or so. This far back doesn’t seem to be much of who I am I guess, but I would not avoid doing it I guess.
I hope this finds you well and loving life. Actually, I’m pretty sure I already know that second part, because that is such a large percentage of who I know you to be.
Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Gary, your comments are always so thoughtful. And yes of course you are right. I feel very blessed in many ways. I do appreciate living a rather uncomplicated life. I hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!
LikeLike
I’m enjoying tea as I read this and your photos are AMAZING!! I’m thinking about doing a DNA test, my daughter did it and has told me a lot which shouldn’t be too far from what I would test. The only reason I haven’t done it yet is figuring it all out, paying for it etc…. Haha, I’m a huge procrastinator and I only like to spend money on my horses! Lol ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awe, thank you so much Diana! I am so happy that you enjoyed the Red Rocks with me. We had such a great time earlier this week that we decided to explore another part of the area today. If possible it was even more amazing. My daughter loves rock climbing, and we did that today. So much fun! I hope your weekend is amazing my friend ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like a beautiful area. When DNA tests first came out I gave my parents tests for Christmas one year. They were through National Geographic. Of course they have gotten so much better since then. Some day I may do just me. Hope you have a wonderful week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a fantastic area. We actually went back early this morning to explore another part of the valley. We even walked through some snow up in the hills. I hope your weekend is fabulous! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous photos my friend! Sounds like you had a Galentines Day! Girls only fun!
Love seeing the Mojave desert and you capture it very well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! A Galentines Day, that’s what we had 🙂 I loved seeing your fabulous Valentine Day photos! I’m happy you enjoyed the Mojave with me today. I hope your weekend is extraordinary ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
What beautiful photos of the landscape. And I still love that picture of your dog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Colline! I’m so happy that you enjoyed them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous red rocks, Maria and great coffee, too! We needed one more day to visit that area…next time! I mentioned I had my DNA test done, with 23 & Me and Ancestry. Both were the same, mostly European with a LOT of the Neanderthal variants. While I came up mostly Irish/British, 2.3% came up Scandinavian…must have been those vikings sailing through 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Terri 🙏 we actually went back today, and explored another area, in the Calico Hills. So much fun!! You need to come back 😊 the DNA test was interesting. Did you expect to have a lot of Neanderthal variants? I sort of did because of my blood type. I hope you’re having a great weekend ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the coffee and the tour through Red Rock Canyon! I love this area with the Joshua Trees. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend Valentine’s Day! I spent mine with my family as well. Have a great week! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for having coffee with me ☕️ Red Rock is so amazing. I hope you had a fabulous weekend. Cheers to a great new week 🙏
LikeLike