Sunday in the park

It was pretty cool last night and I don't mean that in a 60's kind of way.  I think it got down to about 45F or about 6 or 7C.  The daytime high today was around 65 or so.  It is forecast to stay about like this for 5 or 6 days.  It felt chilly in the shade, like in the carport, but in the sunshine, it was quite pleasant.
  Went out with the bikers again this AM, with one more addition.  Gary and Linda got in on Friday and he bought a new bicycle on Saturday so was keen to join in.  It was very chilly, in fact I wore gloves to ride.  We almost always go the same basic route, but today Pat & Gary are kind of long distance guys, so we went to infinity and beyond as Buzz Light-year would say.  After a good ride, Larry asked if I felt OK, next time I will give a different answer.  Anyway we mad 9 1/2 miles, while Pat & Gary made one or two more with a bit of an extension on the trip down to Signal Butte.  Pretty tired legs by the time we got back to the park.  Rode in long pants and a hoodie today.
  Picked up the paper from Kenny's.  He & Doris have gone home for a procedure, so he asked me to pick up his paper.  We have never subscribed to the local papers, he gets two, so it was an eye opener.  Turns out that Sunday is a big coupon and sale day in the papers.  We spent quite a bit of time clipping coupons, best of all I got 2 sets for Harbour Freight.  Marg got a bunch of grocery and laundry ones, not nearly as interesting.  Lots of booze specials in the inserts as well, but not good enough to get a response from us.
  By then it was lunch time.  After lunch I started on the fence around the back patio.  We got the lattice panels and blocks from the neighbours who are moving out next month.  Got one side done, but found more stuff I needed in the process.  I had the posts, but needed a crown stapler, the one I got with the compressor only uses regular staples up to 9/16".  Went to Harbour Freight [got all those coupons you know].  Got to use one coupon for 20% off on the stapler, it was $17, so saved just over $3.  Then I got the free item, this time its a magnetic metal dish to hold nuts, bolts, screws, etc.  Great little item.  Still have 3 more discount coupons and 5 free stuff ones.  Then stopped at Ace to get some deck screws.  I was using some phillips screws, but they are frustrating, so went and got a box of the star head ones.  They go in as good as the Robertson square head ones at home.
  Stirred up some more ants on the concrete block border at the back, so gave them a good going over with the killer/barrier spray.  They really don't do well when they get hit with it.  Every time I blast a group, I hope its the last one.  What is a group of ants anyway?  A herd, a gaggle, a swarm!

 The kids singing

 The ice cream line, kids go first & they get pretty excited about it.

Got back and put up the back piece and by then it was time to clean up and have some supper.  Had a light supper today as it is ice cream social on Sunday's.  The people who put it on need our support.  Besides there was the night that the Sunshine Acres kids come to entertain with Christmas songs.  They brought a lot of kids tonight [of all ages] and they were great.  They are so positive and really enjoy being there, probably a reflection on how bad things were before.  It's a big orphanage, 7 houses that accommodate up to 10 kids each.  Its one of those things that really tugs at the heart strings.  The kids really like the ice cream and cookies and the servers are generous with them.  It's not all bad, apparently some of the kids do get back with their families, if they are still in the area and if the parents are able to get their act together.  Some of them though like living at the orphanage better than their previous home lives.  They can stay right thru high school and then are assisted with a college education if they are so inclined.
  After ice cream we went to the candle light vigil in the park.  At 7Pm on the second Sunday of the year people all over the world gather to light candles for deceased children.  They lit a large candle and then each individual went forward to light their candle from it, announcing in whose memory they were lighting it tonight.  Some very emotional moments, especially for those having recently experience a loss.  Although we have been more fortunate than most of those present, we went as a show of support for them & reflected on some of these tragedies in both of our families and with our friends in the past.