Tuesday

It was chilly last night, not freezing water chilly, but the cool air carried through the morning with a good stiff breeze off the mountains.  I was surprised as 5 guys showed up for our morning bike ride, so with me that made a 6 pack, LOL.  We headed out and Larry said it was going to be too much for him, so headed down Ironwood for an alternate route.  Four of them went out to Idaho, while I stayed with Larry riding about 3 miles today.
  When I got back I finished the report I was writing on the financial affairs of the tenants association in the park.  These guys call it their audit, but for many reasons, it is simply a look at the books and a resulting commentary.  Anyway I delivered it to the president and treasurer for their use in dealing with the board.  Took me long enough, but I had trouble getting to it, just too busy.  I had a couple of distractions like the visitor I had wanting to put a picture on FB with Gary and a pink bike helmet.  That kind of boomeranged on me, in spite of denying responsibility for it, while Aaron got off with it.
  By that time, Marg had some lunch on and we took a moment to ourselves.  After lunch Marg had to go for some groceries, mainly to make the salad she committed to for the pot luck tonight.  It was the same one she took to the turkey deep fry, where it received many compliments.  It turned out a little more complicated and she had to make a couple of stops to get everything she needed.  Then there was the time at home to chop it up and mix it up to go out.
  Me I played some pool this afternoon.  It started out just 2 of us, but we ended up with 4 playing.  One guy was new to this group and it turns out Dale has played before, in fact it was quickly apparent he played very well.  After a couple of lessons in humility, I left to get ready for the party.  It was Jim's birthday and Beth had invited a bunch, combining it with a pot luck, ergo the salad.  It was a fun event and Jim was genuinely touched that so many came to wish him well.  He's a good sort, so no surprise to anyone but him.  I got a bit of a hard time about the pictures on FB with the pink helmet.  I was at the end of the food line & it served as a refresher on why we don't usually do pot lucks, but made an exception to be there for Jim.  If you have to ask why we don't do them, it's hard to explain.  The good stuff gets picked over very quickly, by people who heap their plates, after bringing a minimal contribution:  e.g.:  potato chips [crisps] or crackers & cheese, etc.  It that sounds like so much sour grapes, that is because it is.  LOL  It was still a nice event and a good sub for happy hour.
  Then it was off to bingo. 

It was nice because Gerry & Deb came from Phoenix to play, their first time this winter.  We always sit with the same people, so it was enjoyable.  The caller is Richard & he is quite popular in the park.  Marg & he go out for a smoke during intermission and as a result she knew it was his birthday on Thursday.  Knowing this, she bought a decorated cupcake and a card for him that she had our hostess announce and present.  Then everyone in the room sang happy birthday, pretty cool.  Almost forgot, Marg won twice and Deb won one, but she had to split it.  We always split with Gerry & Deb when they come, so even with that we came out OK.  Had a few laughs and that is why we are all here.
  After Gerry & Deb stopped in for coffee and a cookie, then off for home.