Miracle Mindset

Written By: Ken Hulsey The film “Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet” may be the most interesting science fiction film to be produced in the 1960s’. Although the film in itself is very well done and features some excellent special effects shots, it’s the film's origin and two different Americanized versions that may be of most interest to fans of this genre. You see, the film was not an American product, but a film made in the former Soviet Union. Although scenes that starred Basil Rathbone and Faith Domergue, filmed by Roger Corman, were inserted into the film for American viewers, the film is still basically “Planeta Bur” (Planet of Storms – 1962) in most respects. In this version, almost all Soviet references were removed from both the film and its credits, although it was hard not to notice the Russian insignias on all the spacecraft. American International must have been very nervous about releasing a Soviet sci-fi film during the middle of the “Cold War.”

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Have you ever been leisurely driving down a remote highway when all of a sudden you spot something so unusual that you immediately stop and make a U-turn to try and figure out exactly what you thought you saw?

 Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey Back in 2012, the San Bernardino Railroad Days in San Bernardino, California, featured a true star of railroading: the ex-Santa Fe "Northern" locomotive #3751. The event attracted a lively crowd of railroad enthusiasts and photographers who eagerly lined the tracks in front of the beautifully preserved vintage passenger depot, all hoping to capture a glimpse of this remarkable piece of living history. As expected, this proud locomotive of the Santa Fe steamed down the Metrolink tracks from her home in Los Angeles, presenting an impressive sight for all to behold. 

 Written by Ken Hulsey A couple of weeks back, I decided to start posting the trailers from some of my favorite movies. Being a child of the 70s, I naturally opted to start my new series in that decade. The first film that I went with was the 1976 action/comedy Silver Streak. Today I decided to feature The Apple Dumpling Gang from 1975, which holds the distinction of being the first film that I ever saw in a movie theater. 

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Last week, I posted a very popular article about the Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad 2-6-0 Steam Locomotive #10 at Ford Park in Shreveport. Thanks to Brad Driggers of the Abandoned Louisiana group on Facebook, I learned that old Number 10 isn't the only transportation-related relic residing there. Thanks to the directions provided by Brad, I was able to go on an expedition into the remote northwest section of the park where, deep in the tree line, sits the remains of an old Shreveport Railway Trolley Bus. At this time, the old trolley is barely visible, with only the tail end sticking out of the vines. Though I wanted to explore it more thoroughly, I could only manage to climb through the flora enough to access the rear window and stick my camera inside for a few photos. I also want to give a shout-out to Rick Lewis of Abandoned Louisiana for warning me that the area is home to several venomous snakes. Thanks to Rick's warning, I made a lot o...

Photo By Ken Hulsey "Lighten Your Burdens: Practical Steps for Finding Rest in God" In this inspiring sermon, learn how to lighten your burdens through practical steps and spiritual insights. Discover the importance of rest and renewal, and how embracing God's teachings can radically change your life. Pastor James W. Greer breaks down the four key words that can transform your approach to handling life's challenges: Come, Rest, Learn, and Light. Join us as we explore how to find true rest in God and make your burdens easier to bear. Don't miss next week's sermon on the deeper meaning of the Sabbath and its blessings!

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey One of the things that I really used to love about living in the small farming town of Lecompte was the ability to take quiet walks around town every Sunday evening. I rarely ever encountered a soul on these walks, and it provided me the opportunity to meditate and have a conversation with the Lord while enjoying the beauty of his creation.

 Written By Ken Hulsey As each day passes, it becomes increasingly clear to me that the state of Louisiana is for sale. Every day, we Louisianians hear about new data centers being built, farmland being converted into solar farms, and plans for carbon capture facilities. If you spend any time reading comments on social media, you can see the frustration many residents feel right now. Many are confused about what is happening in our state.

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey I honestly should change my official title to 'Louisiana Railroad Archeologist' because I have the knack of finding all sorts of abandoned railroad equipment all over the Pelican State. Case in point, last week I was driving around Cross Lake in Shreveport looking for a place to view and photograph the water when I stumbled upon this old steam locomotive just off the road in a closed portion of Ford Park. Wanting to get a good set of photos of the locomotives I snuck in an open gate and weaved my way through twisting roads to the back of the park, dodging crews cutting down all the trees along the way. The old steam locomotive is in bad shape, as is the case with all such locomotives in the state, and it was obvious that the workers at the park had stopped taking care of it long ago.

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey When we lived in California, one of the things that my wife and I loved to do on a Saturday afternoon was to pack up a picnic lunch and travel up into the San Bernardino Mountains for a hike around Big Bear Lake. The mild temperatures were a relief from the hot temperatures down below in the Mojave Desert. The trails that follow the rim of the lake are easy to navigate, and there are plenty of scenic places to stop and enjoy that packed lunch. On this particular outing, my wife and I picked up a bucket of fried chicken on the way to eat.

Written by Ken Hulsey Over the past couple of weeks, Terri and I have been enjoying Ken Burns' series on The National Parks on Amazon. We truly love learning about our great nation's history and certainly love seeing all the vast beauty that we here in America have been blessed with. The early episodes of the series focus on the efforts of acclaimed naturalist John Muir to preserve many of our nation's most majestic locations, such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and even the Grand Canyon. Muir considered the mountains and meadows of Yosemite to be one of God's most majestic temples, a living example of his divine power of creation. From viewing scenes of this amazing natural wonder, one can do nothing but marvel at its beauty and gaze in awe at its majesty. 

 Written by Ken Hulsey This morning I was going through more of my photos from the Monster Island News archive when I stumbled across this one of the puppet used for 'Grumpy' the Tyrannosaurus who menaced the Marshall family in the 70s Saturday morning science fiction series Land of the Lost. I believe that the image originally came from a 1998 Sid & Marty Krofft memorabilia auction when it was sold to a private collector.

Rocks That Seem To Extend Endlessly Into The Pacific Ocean - Oceanside California - By Ken Hulsey  Written by Ken Hulsey "Huh! I should think that you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and... heh heh heh... wisdom." - Dexter Jettster (Star Wars) Only this Space Cowboy would start off a post about wisdom with a quote from a Star Wars movie. It may be a sign that I need some of that elusive wisdom because I chose not to quote a wise Star Wars character like Yoda or Obi-Wan Kenobi in favor of something uttered by an intergalactic fry cook in a movie that I don't particularly care for instead.

 From Visit Anaheim If you’re dreaming of your perfect summer getaway, look no further than the beautiful beaches of Orange County, California ! Whether you want to ride the waves, unwind on golden sands, or wander through charming coastal towns, there's a slice of paradise waiting for you. From the iconic Huntington Beach Pier , alive with surf culture, to the serene coves of Laguna Beach , you'll find that SoCal's beach vibes are the perfect escape this summer.  

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey In its heyday, Route 66 was a literal haven of roadside attractions and souvenir emporiums. Some of these landmarks were rather interesting, while the others truly deserved the title 'tourist trap'. Indeed, the 2,448-mile highway that spanned from Chicago to Los Angeles was a thing of wonder for anyone who pulled over from time to time as well as anyone who simply spent the hours staring out the window.

 From History.com At 9:32 a.m. EDT, Apollo 11 , the first U.S. lunar landing mission, is launched on a historic journey to the surface of the moon. After traveling 240,000 miles in 76 hours, Apollo 11 entered into a lunar orbit on July 19. The next day, at 1:46 p.m., the lunar module Eagle, manned by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, separated from the command module, where a third astronaut, Michael Collins , remained. Two hours later, the Eagle began its descent to the lunar surface, and at 4:18 p.m. the craft touched down on the southwestern edge of the Sea of Tranquility. Armstrong immediately radioed to Mission Control in Houston a famous message, “The Eagle has landed.” At 10:39 p.m., five hours ahead of the original schedule, Armstrong opened the hatch of the lunar module. Seventeen minutes later, at 10:56 p.m., Armstrong spoke the following words to millions listening at home: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” A moment later, he ...

Written By: Ken Hulsey June 24, 1947, Mount Rainier, Washington The fascinating era of UFO sightings kicked off when pilot Kenneth Arnold made a remarkable discovery over Mount Rainier in Washington State. While he was on a mission to locate a downed U.S. Marine Corps C-46 transport airplane, Arnold's attention was suddenly captured by a cluster of unusual aircraft darting through the sky. In an official report that quickly garnered worldwide attention, he described these strange flying objects as being “saucer shaped.” This catchy description resulted in the now-iconic term “flying saucer” entering the lexicon of popular culture, forever changing the way we think about unidentified flying objects. Adding to the intrigue of Arnold's sighting was his background—he was not just any pilot; he was an experienced aviator and a decorated combat pilot from World War II. His credentials lent significant credibility to his claims, suggesting that he was well-acquainted with various type...

 Written by Tina Martin Make this phase of your life your Healing Era. You either have to solve it, resolve it, or release it. Healing is a deeply personal journey and should be done quietly. Detach yourself from any energy (person, place, or critter) that doesn’t respect your journey. Be kind. Be safe. Be respectful.

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Above: A CPKC mixed freight roars across the Louisiana and North West Railroad diamond in Gibsland. Kansas City Southern Railway (Images of Rail) Paperback Edition - $21.99 @ Amazon.com   The CPKC train continues thundering eastward out of Gibsland and into open country. (Above) The same CPKC train, again, taken further away as it approaches the LNW yard. 

 Last week my travels brought me to the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Over the past few years, I have been through St. Francisville a handful of times, and I have to say that the town is one of my favorite locations here in Louisiana. The town is quiet, charming, and filled with history. From the nearby John James Audubon Bridge. Audubon State Historic Site, St. Francisville Historic District, to the preserved Illinois Central Railroad Caboose, the town provides the visitor the perfect place to spend a day just exploring. Located just over 30 minutes north of the State Capitol of Baton Rouge, St. Francisville is easy to get to and should be considered a must-see location for anyone visiting the region.

 Written By: Ken Hulsey If you're on the West Coast and looking for a fantastic fast food option, let me introduce you to a little treasure known as Flame Broiler. This delightful chain prides itself on offering a healthier alternative to the typical fast food fare of burgers and fried chicken. Their menu is refreshingly straightforward, yet incredibly satisfying, featuring wholesome bowls of either fluffy brown or white rice as a base. You can choose from tasty options like beef, chicken, or tofu, and then top your dish with a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables.

In this powerful message, we are reminded that freedom is more than just forgiveness; it represents a new identity in Christ. Through personal testimonies, biblical truths, and the story of Israel’s journey out of Egypt, we discover how the enemy often attacks our thoughts, convincing us to live as prisoners even after Christ has set us free. Though freedom was purchased by the blood of Jesus, we must learn to walk in that freedom every day. 

Back in the 1970s, the movies had it all: planes were crashing down from the heavens, towering infernos, tales of world destruction, bad-ass cops, a cowboy in a Trans Am running beer across the south, King Kong, Godzilla, intergalactic wars, car chases, car crashes, and, in the case of todays featured trailer a passenger train crashing trough the Chicago rail terminal.

"Woman... woe-man... whoooa-man. She was a thief, you gotta believe, she stole my heart and my cat. Betty, Judy, Josie and those hot Pussycats... they make me horny, Saturday morny... girls of cartoo-ins will leave me in ruins... I want to be Betty's Barney. Hey Jane... get me off this crazy thing... called love.

 Photos By Ken Hulsey Text from signage adjacent to the railcar History of ICG 199328 The St. Francisville Caboose is an important historical attraction for the town. The caboose was purchased by the town in 1995 and moved to its current location through a generous donation by Richard Holcomb. The intention was that it would serve to remind visitors and future generations of the history of the West Feliciana Railroad, the third oldest railroad in the United States. The WFRR ran from Bayou Sara to Woodville, MS from 1834 to 1978, carrying the region's valuable cotton crop to the Mississippi River where it could be easily shipped to New Orleans. It was innovative, ahead of its time and necessary.

 Written By: Ken Hulsey Do dinosaurs still walk among us? While science strongly suggests they don't, every now and then, we hear of a fascinating sighting from some isolated corner of the world that sparks our imagination. A recent intriguing discovery in Cambodia might just add a twist to the chapter of our planet's prehistoric history.  

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey This past weekend, Terri and I decided to brave the heat and humidity and spend an afternoon touring the Acadian Village (Museum) in Lafayette. I have to admit that this has been a location that I have wanted to see for some time now. When Terri woke up Saturday morning and said that she wanted to go explore the location, I was more than happy to oblige her.

 Photos and Story By: Ken Hulsey I have to share that I truly miss being just a three-hour drive from the incredible attractions of the Las Vegas Strip. There’s really nothing quite like it anywhere in the world! The beauty of the Strip is that you don’t even have to place a bet or catch a show to find entertainment. I remember spending an entire evening simply strolling along the Strip, taking in the breathtaking sights and observing the vibrant crowd. It was hours filled with joy and amusement, all without spending a single dollar!  

 Story and Photos by Ken Hulsey There is one thing you can always count on in Louisiana: a beautiful sunrise. Since I had the day off, I decided to wake up early and venture out with my camera to capture some of the stunning scenery here in Central Louisiana. I’ve been promising myself for almost a year that I would spend some time getting back into my photography, and a holiday from work provided the perfect opportunity.

 From a Sermon by Pastor Richie Thornton The first thing I want you to see in this passage this morning is that this woman struggled with this issue of blood for 12 years. 12 years is a long time! The number 12 has a significant meaning in the Bible… The number 12 typically means perfection or authority, and often the number 12 is used in a context of government… For instance, we see the 12 disciples; the 12 tribes of Israel; 12 spies who went to scout the Promised Land… In Revelation we read about the New Jerusalem; we see the number 12 repeatedly: 12 gates, 12 angels, 12 foundations…all this points to perfection, ultimately coming under God’s authority and under God’s government.

 From Pastor Steve Smothermon Think about the Pledge of Allegiance, especially where it says, One nation under God. A beacon of light: Scripture teaches in Amos 3:3 How can two walk together unless they be agreed? God brought people from every nation of the world to make and create America — a place that would be a beacon of light to the world that God is real and that He sent Jesus to save us; a light that other nations would envy; a light that when a nation honors God, He will cause it, them to prosper; a nation like no other nation; one nation under God; “one nation.”

  The Birth of a Nation: Celebrating Independence Day Every year on July 4th, Americans across the country come together to celebrate Independence Day, a day marked by fireworks, parades, and barbecues. But what many may not know is that the push for independence was solidified on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress made a historic decision to sever ties with Great Britain. This momentous occasion was not simply ritual; it was a pivotal point in the life of a fledgling nation yearning for freedom.

 Photo by Ken Hulsey Rock the Red: Celebrating Independence Day in Alexandria, Louisiana As July 4th approaches, the vibrant community of Alexandria, Louisiana, gears up for its much-anticipated annual celebration, Rock the Red. This free, family-friendly event promises an afternoon and evening filled with joy, excitement, and patriotic fervor—all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Red River.

  A Pivotal Day in American History: July 1, 1776 On July 1, 1776, the gathering of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia marked a significant turning point in the quest for American independence. The scene was tense, with delegates grappling with Richard Henry Lee's resolution to declare independence from Great Britain. The outcome of this meeting would be pivotal not just for the colonies but for the future of the United States.