Woke up with the rain still lightly falling on the roof. The news media was full of talk about the weather and the rain storm. The measured the rainfall in just about every area of the state it was such a big deal. In this area around Phoenix, they pretty much tracked it by neighbourhood, so it took quite a while to report. This is the 6th largest city in the U.S., so lots of neighborhood's.
I was able to drive the cart right under the canopy beside the truck, so the seat was reasonably dry. It was a first as I had just thrown a tarp on it before. It also makes it easier to put the charger on.
We got up early and made it for coffee and donuts in the hall. We had a group promoting the use of their facility for full body medical assessments. It seems they are covered by most medical plans here, but on a cash basis to Canadians [$1,000]. This happens once in a while, but we all sit there and eat our free donut. LOL. This was an important meeting in the election process for the tenants association. The 3 incumbents whose seats were being contested withdrew, so the process consisted of nominations and then a declaration they were elected. Marg was one of the nominators, so she stood to nominate Doreen for the Secretary position. I also learned that she has been recruited to the entertainment committee. I found out that Gary had caught one skunk last night, so I made a security announcement at the end of the meeting. I started out saying I was surprised there was no mention of a security issue then that the park had their best man originally from Skunk Hollow on the job, having caught one already using marshmallows. Then encouraged anyone seeing a skunk to let Gary know. The funny part was he really did grow up in a community known as Skunk Holler in Ohio. It struck the funny bone with lots of people.
After coffee we had visitors for a bit and made plans to go out with them after lunch. I started on a project, I got a string of LED rope light from Costco the other day and installed them on the carport support beam. The new porch lights are LED as well, but are more task lighting, so don't illuminate the breezeway as well. It didn't take very long and I had them installed. The electrical connection is thru the motion light on the Az room, but that is not working out, so I will need to re-wire to get a constant power source. These lights have some neat features that are more for decorative lighting and are controlled by a remote.
After lunch we went out with Kenny & Doris to the Mexican grocery store down on Stapely. It is the largest one that we are aware of. It was their first time to it so a bit of an experience and Marg picked up some stuff including Chicharoni that she took to happy hour. It was kind of amusing to see the reaction to it as many of the people at happy had never heard of it, but most seemed OK with it. By the time we got back it was happy hour. We had it over in the storage lot where the skunk trap is because Rita's sister Lorraine and her husband bought a new 5th wheel and it was stored over there for a couple of weeks. There are no available camp spaces in this park until then. Supper in the house tonight.
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Valentines Day 2018
The day started off cloudy and a bit cooler, cool enough for long pants and a sweatshirt for me. The forecast rain did not start until later in the day. Just as we got off the golf course as a matter of fact. I just have to keep reminding myself, this place is in drought conditions and needs the rain, so it is really a blessing. Even if it is raining on my parade?
I caught a ride with Allan this morning and went out with the Calloway clubs. Time to put the regular clubs in the penalty box and perhaps they will get it together. I never check the bag closely enough before going. On looking through it, I recalled Daniel had used these clubs last and that explained the few balls in the bag, I think there were about 8 or 10, mostly pretty beat up, although I did manage to find 3 or 4 good ones. I played with 3 guys from the park, one from Alberta. I have played with them before and they are fun on the course. The game started off poorly and didn't get much better for the first 3 holes, so I was really second guessing my decision on the bag. The last 3 holes were good, so they will be the ones I remember, the ones that keep a guy going back after I burn the score card. LOL
Marg washed the floor in the trailer and steamed the clothes from the laundry tis morning while I was away. Even after the floors were vacuumed, they still had quite a bit of dust clinging to them, just one of the undesirable things in the desert. I guess the swifter pads were pretty much garbage when she was done. By the time I go back it was starting to rain, up until then it had been more of a mist. A pleasant surprise when I got back she had corn bread muffins and soup ready to go. She knows I like these or biscuits with soup, so it was a very nice lunch.
When I was returning home I took note of the trap in the storage yard in our area of the park. On checking with Gary to see if he got skunked, it turns out he did catch a small one this morning. It's a catch and release trap, you really don't want to kill a skunk in a place like this if you can help it. That is never good, it means a female and they can have good sized litters. Anyway he did manage to get the animal control people here to pick it up. Somehow they got it out of the trap so he could continue trapping without anyone getting sprayed. It did eat all the marshmallow he put in the cage, so it might have been in a good mood. He has some lights shining under the building to encourage any others still in there to get out, as there is at least the mother under there.
It rained pretty much all day, although at times only sprinkling. Oh yes, the desert needs it, did I mention that already, well I have to keep reminding myself this is a good thing. Although we didn't have a lot of time on our hands we hung out at home. Our commitment was to be at the hall for 3 o'clock to help with the Spaghetti Dinner. One of the couples who are regulars on the kitchen crew were away and Marg just can't refuse some of the people here when they ask for help. My job today was Water Boiler and sauce/sauce with meatballs stirrer. Marg was a plate filler and pasta taster. With the quantities of pasta we were making [for 100 people] we wanted it to be cooked right, not al dante even if that is fashionable in some circles. As it turned out Gary does most of the cooking at this function and this was where he needed me. It was a bit of an experience. The food was good [we ate after everyone was fed] and we had lots of compliments. The I did some meals on wheels, taking a couple of dinners to people in the park. Oh during this something funny happened. Our neighbours were there for dinner and they have their 4 yr old granddaughter staying over. When Jenn pointed Marg out in the kitchen serving, she said and Dave. Olivia had given Marg and I valentines today, so when I saw her went over to the window and thanked her for the valentine. During dinner she kept looking over at Marg and they had a running thing going. Cute little thing, very chatty.
By the time we cleaned up and got out of there, we just wanted to go home and put our feet up. One of us with a nice glass of Macallan
I caught a ride with Allan this morning and went out with the Calloway clubs. Time to put the regular clubs in the penalty box and perhaps they will get it together. I never check the bag closely enough before going. On looking through it, I recalled Daniel had used these clubs last and that explained the few balls in the bag, I think there were about 8 or 10, mostly pretty beat up, although I did manage to find 3 or 4 good ones. I played with 3 guys from the park, one from Alberta. I have played with them before and they are fun on the course. The game started off poorly and didn't get much better for the first 3 holes, so I was really second guessing my decision on the bag. The last 3 holes were good, so they will be the ones I remember, the ones that keep a guy going back after I burn the score card. LOL
Marg washed the floor in the trailer and steamed the clothes from the laundry tis morning while I was away. Even after the floors were vacuumed, they still had quite a bit of dust clinging to them, just one of the undesirable things in the desert. I guess the swifter pads were pretty much garbage when she was done. By the time I go back it was starting to rain, up until then it had been more of a mist. A pleasant surprise when I got back she had corn bread muffins and soup ready to go. She knows I like these or biscuits with soup, so it was a very nice lunch.
When I was returning home I took note of the trap in the storage yard in our area of the park. On checking with Gary to see if he got skunked, it turns out he did catch a small one this morning. It's a catch and release trap, you really don't want to kill a skunk in a place like this if you can help it. That is never good, it means a female and they can have good sized litters. Anyway he did manage to get the animal control people here to pick it up. Somehow they got it out of the trap so he could continue trapping without anyone getting sprayed. It did eat all the marshmallow he put in the cage, so it might have been in a good mood. He has some lights shining under the building to encourage any others still in there to get out, as there is at least the mother under there.
It rained pretty much all day, although at times only sprinkling. Oh yes, the desert needs it, did I mention that already, well I have to keep reminding myself this is a good thing. Although we didn't have a lot of time on our hands we hung out at home. Our commitment was to be at the hall for 3 o'clock to help with the Spaghetti Dinner. One of the couples who are regulars on the kitchen crew were away and Marg just can't refuse some of the people here when they ask for help. My job today was Water Boiler and sauce/sauce with meatballs stirrer. Marg was a plate filler and pasta taster. With the quantities of pasta we were making [for 100 people] we wanted it to be cooked right, not al dante even if that is fashionable in some circles. As it turned out Gary does most of the cooking at this function and this was where he needed me. It was a bit of an experience. The food was good [we ate after everyone was fed] and we had lots of compliments. The I did some meals on wheels, taking a couple of dinners to people in the park. Oh during this something funny happened. Our neighbours were there for dinner and they have their 4 yr old granddaughter staying over. When Jenn pointed Marg out in the kitchen serving, she said and Dave. Olivia had given Marg and I valentines today, so when I saw her went over to the window and thanked her for the valentine. During dinner she kept looking over at Marg and they had a running thing going. Cute little thing, very chatty.
By the time we cleaned up and got out of there, we just wanted to go home and put our feet up. One of us with a nice glass of Macallan
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Tu8esday, Feb 13th
It rained a bit during the night and the day started out cloudy. Well they called it rain, but it barely wet the pavement, at home I don't think they would even have reported that amount of rain. Further north in the high country they got quite a bit of snow in some places, like Show Low, but lesser amounts in places like Flagstaff.
The temperatures have cooled off quite a bit, I think I saw 19C on the truck readout today. It wasn't cold enough to warrant a jacket, but I did wear long pants. Marg did about 3 loads of laundry today and although the machine is quite a bit smaller that is still a lot. She had a visitor today asking her to take on a new role with the tenants association but she declined. Then Gary stopped by to tell us about his pursuit of a skunk in the park. When we returned from dinner on Friday night a lot of us thought we smelled skunk. Anyway he is trying to live trap it to remove it from the park. I gave him a tarp I have to use in covering the cage both to make it dark and to protect against any unplanned discharge by the skunk. It's down in our end of the park in the storage yard, not far away, so anything I can do [short of pursuing it] is in my best interest.
After that we went out to Costco. I wanted gas and Marg a few other things. The gas price there is about 20 cents a gallon less than anyplace around here. Marg got some facial cream, frozen peas and some teriyaki chicken she plans to take to the block party on our street. I wasn't looking for anything but got some rope lighting for the breezeway.
We got home and had lunch, then I went to play pool for a while. Had some good games, I think I won more than lost, so a good day. Marg continued to play the laundry game.
When I got back I vacuumed the trailer. There isn't a lot to it, but that seems to be one of the worst things for Marg's back. There is a lot of dust here, even after I put caulking on some of the windows to seal them. Then I used my shop vac to clean up the house vac as the filters get too much dust/lint/hair in them. Marg had a couple of visitors again in the afternoon. I think that is how the women in this park know more about what is going on than the guys.
Supper was bbq and was very good. We had a tinfoil pan of chopped potatoes, turnip, carrot, onion and then pork chops. It was a bit of a hurried affair as there was bingo in the hall Tuesday night. We tried the bingo backdrop I made and it is a work in progress with some adjustments required. The focal length of the camera lens is the main cause of the re-work, but it should be better next week. I had the hot cards tonight and was close on most games, winning two games. Nothing in the order of the dollars Marg won, but hey a win is a win.
The temperatures have cooled off quite a bit, I think I saw 19C on the truck readout today. It wasn't cold enough to warrant a jacket, but I did wear long pants. Marg did about 3 loads of laundry today and although the machine is quite a bit smaller that is still a lot. She had a visitor today asking her to take on a new role with the tenants association but she declined. Then Gary stopped by to tell us about his pursuit of a skunk in the park. When we returned from dinner on Friday night a lot of us thought we smelled skunk. Anyway he is trying to live trap it to remove it from the park. I gave him a tarp I have to use in covering the cage both to make it dark and to protect against any unplanned discharge by the skunk. It's down in our end of the park in the storage yard, not far away, so anything I can do [short of pursuing it] is in my best interest.
After that we went out to Costco. I wanted gas and Marg a few other things. The gas price there is about 20 cents a gallon less than anyplace around here. Marg got some facial cream, frozen peas and some teriyaki chicken she plans to take to the block party on our street. I wasn't looking for anything but got some rope lighting for the breezeway.
We got home and had lunch, then I went to play pool for a while. Had some good games, I think I won more than lost, so a good day. Marg continued to play the laundry game.
When I got back I vacuumed the trailer. There isn't a lot to it, but that seems to be one of the worst things for Marg's back. There is a lot of dust here, even after I put caulking on some of the windows to seal them. Then I used my shop vac to clean up the house vac as the filters get too much dust/lint/hair in them. Marg had a couple of visitors again in the afternoon. I think that is how the women in this park know more about what is going on than the guys.
Supper was bbq and was very good. We had a tinfoil pan of chopped potatoes, turnip, carrot, onion and then pork chops. It was a bit of a hurried affair as there was bingo in the hall Tuesday night. We tried the bingo backdrop I made and it is a work in progress with some adjustments required. The focal length of the camera lens is the main cause of the re-work, but it should be better next week. I had the hot cards tonight and was close on most games, winning two games. Nothing in the order of the dollars Marg won, but hey a win is a win.
Monday, 12 February 2018
Monday, Feb 12th
The day started cloudy and windy, it seems a weather system is moving in for the next few days. We may get some rain, they are expecting up to 4 inches of snow in the high country [over 6,000 ft]. With the area in a 20 year long drought, people in the area are really looking forward to the moisture as well as the desert plants.
Marg went to the Fort with the gals, I think there were 4 of them today. It was a good day for her as she had some coupons to $10 off her bingo, then the cashier she always goes to gave her extra coupons, then best of all she won at bingo and was very close on several others. Her net result financially was very good and she always has a great time when she wins. She had to split this one so it was $150 in her pocket.
I had some breakfast and then went to the Food Bank. No we are not in desperate straits here, I donate my aluminum cans to them. They really appreciate it even though they primarily deal in food, as the cans help them financially. Then I went to the hardware where I bought some glue traps. I use them mainly to catch spiders, crickets and similar critters. I needed to replace the one in the shed after the snake got all wound up in it with the other critters.
When I got back I made a sign for the bingo machine and did some posts on the tenants association FB page. To support the sign I made a wood bracket to sit in front of the camera and hold it. Then I cleaned up some emails.
By then I had to make lunch, yes you are hearing correctly. It was leftovers, yes again. I warmed them up in a frying pan and it was pretty darn good. It was the pasta and shrimp Marg made the other night. Well after that I was left with a sink of dishes. So another domestic chore for yours truly I rolled up the sleeves and did dishes, even put them away after. I must be in the running for husband of the year award with a performance like that. Marg was so impressed she even mentioned it.
I read a bit and then it was time to go pick up Marg at the front gate. When they get here, she gives Lynett a ride home while I stand on the back, but I get a seat the rest of the way home.
A bunch from here went out in the desert today and were just getting back around that time, so we invited them to our place for happy. It was chilly, so I put out our gas fire pit and it made for a very comfy place to sit out. Even though I bought it last year, it was the first time we have used it and were happy with it. The guys all wanted to see the snake I found in the glue trap, the girls not so much. Anyway I dug it out the trash to show them the fierce 4 or 5 cm snake all dried up.
Supper tonight was Ihop and Marg had a salad while I went back to my old regular 2x2x2. The traffic in restaurants is noticeably lighter this winter. I'm not sure whether there are fewer people eating out or fewer snowbirds period.
Marg went to the Fort with the gals, I think there were 4 of them today. It was a good day for her as she had some coupons to $10 off her bingo, then the cashier she always goes to gave her extra coupons, then best of all she won at bingo and was very close on several others. Her net result financially was very good and she always has a great time when she wins. She had to split this one so it was $150 in her pocket.
I had some breakfast and then went to the Food Bank. No we are not in desperate straits here, I donate my aluminum cans to them. They really appreciate it even though they primarily deal in food, as the cans help them financially. Then I went to the hardware where I bought some glue traps. I use them mainly to catch spiders, crickets and similar critters. I needed to replace the one in the shed after the snake got all wound up in it with the other critters.
When I got back I made a sign for the bingo machine and did some posts on the tenants association FB page. To support the sign I made a wood bracket to sit in front of the camera and hold it. Then I cleaned up some emails.
By then I had to make lunch, yes you are hearing correctly. It was leftovers, yes again. I warmed them up in a frying pan and it was pretty darn good. It was the pasta and shrimp Marg made the other night. Well after that I was left with a sink of dishes. So another domestic chore for yours truly I rolled up the sleeves and did dishes, even put them away after. I must be in the running for husband of the year award with a performance like that. Marg was so impressed she even mentioned it.
I read a bit and then it was time to go pick up Marg at the front gate. When they get here, she gives Lynett a ride home while I stand on the back, but I get a seat the rest of the way home.
A bunch from here went out in the desert today and were just getting back around that time, so we invited them to our place for happy. It was chilly, so I put out our gas fire pit and it made for a very comfy place to sit out. Even though I bought it last year, it was the first time we have used it and were happy with it. The guys all wanted to see the snake I found in the glue trap, the girls not so much. Anyway I dug it out the trash to show them the fierce 4 or 5 cm snake all dried up.
Supper tonight was Ihop and Marg had a salad while I went back to my old regular 2x2x2. The traffic in restaurants is noticeably lighter this winter. I'm not sure whether there are fewer people eating out or fewer snowbirds period.
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Sunday, Feb 11th
The day started out a bit cool & windy so I wore long pants & a jacket to the church service. The Mexicans and me are not accustomed to this cold weather. LOL. We joke about the workers at the golf course in their heavy coats & toques while we are in golf shirts and shorts, but maybe the joke is on me now?
The service was good and the music was good, well what I stayed for. I left after the sermon as we had a scheduled facetime with Charlene, Phil and all the family. As a result of a mechanical failure at Anna & Craig's everyone went to Char & Phil's for supper and then baths for the kids. It was great to have the opportunity to talk to everyone this morning, wouldn't have missed it for the world. What a wonderful start to our day, even if it was supper time for them.
After we went out to the Mesa market so I could exchange my pocket books. It was nice to see the old gal I get them from still in business. She always explains why some are worth more and others less. When she paid me out on the books I turned in, as always I tell her as soon as I get replacements she'll get it and more back. It generally amounts to about half or less of what I owe her. I needed a new golf glove, the kind suited to hot weather that are only in golf shops. While there I got a head cover to replace the one that disappeared on the course a week ago. I don't think Marg got anything.
Then we went to Popeye's for lunch. A new one opened on Crismon and it was close to where we were. Their specialty is chicken and it had been quite a while since we ate at one. It is chicken on the bone, so I had shrimp and coleslaw. She said her chicken was very good, my dish was OK, the shrimp was Creole, so a bit spicy.
After lunch we went up to a flea market out neighbour Mark told us about. He had a few tables at it as he deals in old stuff. When he introduced us to his son and grandson yesterday he mentioned it and Marg committed to going to see it. There were about 40 or more vendors and only a few things of interest. I ended up buying some silver half dollars from a friend of Marks and a couple of coins from another vendor. It was funny the other vendor had a bunch of knives. One filleting knife priced at $55 that is exactly like one I own. That really made me suspect as I would gladly sell mine for that much. He said he had a bunch of foreign coins but didn't bring them because they are slow movers, but would bring the Canadian ones next week if I was interested. He said he would be prepared to make a deal on all of them, so we will probably go back to take a look at them. He had a few English coins, but they were not priced well. He had his grandson price them and they were not realistic, he had a 10 pence coin dated 1970 for $10 and I told him it was worth at most 25 cents.
After we came home and put our feet up for a bit. Shortly after Kenny came by to tell us that happy was at his place, so we packed up our chairs and went down there. It was a pretty good sized crowd, but it turned in to a fun event. Back home for a supper of salad and some fresh made biscuits. Didn't want to eat too much as I was saving room for dessert. Dessert was the ice cream social and I had a banana split while Marg had sherbet.
When we got home we had a nice facetime with Brennan and Jess. Nice of them to think of us and we had a nice visit with them.
The service was good and the music was good, well what I stayed for. I left after the sermon as we had a scheduled facetime with Charlene, Phil and all the family. As a result of a mechanical failure at Anna & Craig's everyone went to Char & Phil's for supper and then baths for the kids. It was great to have the opportunity to talk to everyone this morning, wouldn't have missed it for the world. What a wonderful start to our day, even if it was supper time for them.
After we went out to the Mesa market so I could exchange my pocket books. It was nice to see the old gal I get them from still in business. She always explains why some are worth more and others less. When she paid me out on the books I turned in, as always I tell her as soon as I get replacements she'll get it and more back. It generally amounts to about half or less of what I owe her. I needed a new golf glove, the kind suited to hot weather that are only in golf shops. While there I got a head cover to replace the one that disappeared on the course a week ago. I don't think Marg got anything.
Then we went to Popeye's for lunch. A new one opened on Crismon and it was close to where we were. Their specialty is chicken and it had been quite a while since we ate at one. It is chicken on the bone, so I had shrimp and coleslaw. She said her chicken was very good, my dish was OK, the shrimp was Creole, so a bit spicy.
After lunch we went up to a flea market out neighbour Mark told us about. He had a few tables at it as he deals in old stuff. When he introduced us to his son and grandson yesterday he mentioned it and Marg committed to going to see it. There were about 40 or more vendors and only a few things of interest. I ended up buying some silver half dollars from a friend of Marks and a couple of coins from another vendor. It was funny the other vendor had a bunch of knives. One filleting knife priced at $55 that is exactly like one I own. That really made me suspect as I would gladly sell mine for that much. He said he had a bunch of foreign coins but didn't bring them because they are slow movers, but would bring the Canadian ones next week if I was interested. He said he would be prepared to make a deal on all of them, so we will probably go back to take a look at them. He had a few English coins, but they were not priced well. He had his grandson price them and they were not realistic, he had a 10 pence coin dated 1970 for $10 and I told him it was worth at most 25 cents.
After we came home and put our feet up for a bit. Shortly after Kenny came by to tell us that happy was at his place, so we packed up our chairs and went down there. It was a pretty good sized crowd, but it turned in to a fun event. Back home for a supper of salad and some fresh made biscuits. Didn't want to eat too much as I was saving room for dessert. Dessert was the ice cream social and I had a banana split while Marg had sherbet.
When we got home we had a nice facetime with Brennan and Jess. Nice of them to think of us and we had a nice visit with them.
Saturday, 10 February 2018
Saturday, Feb 10th.
Not sure why but I woke up at 5:30 and was up and about by 6 or so. It was in time to see the sun rise to greet a beautiful day.
I went to breakfast in the hall this morning and had the usual. The group I usually sit with were long gone as I never got there until 8:30. I do that intentionally sometimes so I can sit with different people. There are so many good folks in this park that you never get to know if you fall into the habit of always doing the same things with the same people day after day. I ended sitting with Stan who had a visitor from S Carolina and then a couple other guys in the park joined us. A very interesting guy and we had a good conversation on a number of topics as he was in forestry and his employer had a mill in Hinton that he had been to. Marg was up well before I left but in spite of my encouraging her, she opted out of a big breakfast. No surprise there! Then she started brats in the slow cooker with some purple cabbage and small potatoes.
She had a couple of conversations with the other ladies organizing the celebration of life this afternoon on some of the details and got them up to date on what she had done. When got back I fixed the light switch on the door of the freezer compartment as the light wouldn't come on. When I went to the tool shed out back, I looked one of the glue traps and there was a tiny snake in it. It was only about 3 inches long, so very young and looked to be an Arizona gopher snake. I had found one of these a couple of years ago. Crickets sometimes get in there, so I suspect it went in looking for lunch and got stuck and died. It did bring to mind that with this warm weather the snakes are becoming more active. Anyway after laying there looking up I had a bout of vertigo, so stayed quiet for a while.
Marg went to Safeway and got some things both for the house and the celebration. We elected to provide bottled water during the event and she also got: ice cream, coffee cream, ice and whip cream in spray cans. It seems there was a lot of pie left from the park sale and they offered it to use at the event. It seems she was out of the ultimate breakfast food, so picked up some yogurt as well. She just got back and one of her co-organizers was here waiting.
At 2 PM we went down to the hall to get things set up. The crib players have a 1 pm game time, so were still playing when we got there, that was the reason the celebration was not held until 3 pm today. We had coffee to make and pies to cut, all kinds of chores to get ready. When the appointed hour came, the hall was pretty full and we were fortunate to have the pastor from the Sunday services here with us and available to pay an important role. Richard's son delivered the eulogy that was written by our resident author in the park. There were also several people who spoke in glowing terms about how Richard impacted their lives and what he meant to them. It went very well and was a fitting farewell to a great fellow.
It took a while to clean up and then we went back to our place to try and catch our breath. Kenny & Doris stopped by for what turned out to be the smallest happy hour get together in the park. Then it was supper at home tonight.
I went to breakfast in the hall this morning and had the usual. The group I usually sit with were long gone as I never got there until 8:30. I do that intentionally sometimes so I can sit with different people. There are so many good folks in this park that you never get to know if you fall into the habit of always doing the same things with the same people day after day. I ended sitting with Stan who had a visitor from S Carolina and then a couple other guys in the park joined us. A very interesting guy and we had a good conversation on a number of topics as he was in forestry and his employer had a mill in Hinton that he had been to. Marg was up well before I left but in spite of my encouraging her, she opted out of a big breakfast. No surprise there! Then she started brats in the slow cooker with some purple cabbage and small potatoes.
She had a couple of conversations with the other ladies organizing the celebration of life this afternoon on some of the details and got them up to date on what she had done. When got back I fixed the light switch on the door of the freezer compartment as the light wouldn't come on. When I went to the tool shed out back, I looked one of the glue traps and there was a tiny snake in it. It was only about 3 inches long, so very young and looked to be an Arizona gopher snake. I had found one of these a couple of years ago. Crickets sometimes get in there, so I suspect it went in looking for lunch and got stuck and died. It did bring to mind that with this warm weather the snakes are becoming more active. Anyway after laying there looking up I had a bout of vertigo, so stayed quiet for a while.
Marg went to Safeway and got some things both for the house and the celebration. We elected to provide bottled water during the event and she also got: ice cream, coffee cream, ice and whip cream in spray cans. It seems there was a lot of pie left from the park sale and they offered it to use at the event. It seems she was out of the ultimate breakfast food, so picked up some yogurt as well. She just got back and one of her co-organizers was here waiting.
At 2 PM we went down to the hall to get things set up. The crib players have a 1 pm game time, so were still playing when we got there, that was the reason the celebration was not held until 3 pm today. We had coffee to make and pies to cut, all kinds of chores to get ready. When the appointed hour came, the hall was pretty full and we were fortunate to have the pastor from the Sunday services here with us and available to pay an important role. Richard's son delivered the eulogy that was written by our resident author in the park. There were also several people who spoke in glowing terms about how Richard impacted their lives and what he meant to them. It went very well and was a fitting farewell to a great fellow.
It took a while to clean up and then we went back to our place to try and catch our breath. Kenny & Doris stopped by for what turned out to be the smallest happy hour get together in the park. Then it was supper at home tonight.
Friday, 9 February 2018
Friday, Feb 9th.
Another early start to the day for us. We were up at approx. 6:30 as I had to be at the hall by 7AM to help put the Sloppy Joe trays into the oven. You remember, the job Marg volunteered for me. Well she got up at the time as well, so it was all good.
Marg got up and put the pull-apart buns in the oven to take with her to the hall for the workers. She also made a smaller pan that was for home, that would be only me today! They all turned out great, it certainly made a nice start to my day. I was only needed at the hall for about 5 minutes, but couldn't go back to bed.
The park sale didn't seem as busy as last year, although there were still lots of people going through and checking out the vendors. The gals sold lots of Sloppy Joes and pieces of pie today. Most of the people volunteering to work in the hall had done it before so it seemed to go very smoothly today. They were in the hall from 7 AM until about 2 PM, so a pretty long day when you are on your feet.
I went out to get a cable from the hardware. Nice salesman as he took my cable and ends into the back room and crimped them on to make loops at each end. When I got home, I put one end on a screw eye and fastened it under the front step. This was so I could lock up the battery charger for the cart as that is what is most frequently stolen. Then I put some caulking down on the wall at the back where we had been having water coming in. I hope this fixes it. Then I fabricated a hinge piece for the electrical box weather cover. It has a lid that flips up except one hinge had tore out and it was just hanging from the other.
While I was working out back, I checked on the status of the greens Marg had laid out. Forgot to add this in the last blog. Yesterday after cutting the celery to put in the Sloppy Joe mix, she brought home the trimmings and laid them out on a paper plate. There has been a small rabbit hanging around the back and eating weeds and stuff, so she wanted to help it out. As we all know rabbits don't eat carrots, but this one loved the celery and cleaned it all up except for the base of the stalks.
By the time I finished, I went to the hall for lunch and was lucky to be joined by Marg. It was busy in there, but steady so they were not rushed off their feet when you have people who know what to do. After lunch I went to get my camera, I was so pre-occupied that I forgot to get photos earlier. I was just in time to catch the raffle draws. The ladies who organized it did an amazing job of gathering lots of good prizes. Marg was drawn for a nice throw and in fact drawn a second time, but told them to draw again so others would have a chance. She was the only one to do that, other multiple winners just took their prizes home. After the draws were all done, I stayed to help put the hall back in order so the people who were there all day could get away at a decent time.
After we got back we took quick showers, no not together. It was very hot today so after being so busy, needed to freshen up. Marg had a visitor to discuss the celebration tomorrow and then it was off to happy hour. The gals having worked in the kitchen all day I knew we would be eating out tonight. They decided to go to the Chinese buffet on Power road. We had been there in the past, but this was our first time this year. There were 11 of us went and the food was very good. A bit different from the other Chinese, but still very good, in fact some parts were better. It was kind of funny was the other vehicle insisted on taking a local road there, but I just went on the freeway. When they still weren't there quite a while after we were seated, I called Kenny to ask if Jerry's Kia had broke down. It turns out Kenny had drove, so I just said to try and get there before we were done with desert. As I sit here still feeling full, I think we are done with buffet dining for a while.
Marg got up and put the pull-apart buns in the oven to take with her to the hall for the workers. She also made a smaller pan that was for home, that would be only me today! They all turned out great, it certainly made a nice start to my day. I was only needed at the hall for about 5 minutes, but couldn't go back to bed.
The park sale didn't seem as busy as last year, although there were still lots of people going through and checking out the vendors. The gals sold lots of Sloppy Joes and pieces of pie today. Most of the people volunteering to work in the hall had done it before so it seemed to go very smoothly today. They were in the hall from 7 AM until about 2 PM, so a pretty long day when you are on your feet.
I went out to get a cable from the hardware. Nice salesman as he took my cable and ends into the back room and crimped them on to make loops at each end. When I got home, I put one end on a screw eye and fastened it under the front step. This was so I could lock up the battery charger for the cart as that is what is most frequently stolen. Then I put some caulking down on the wall at the back where we had been having water coming in. I hope this fixes it. Then I fabricated a hinge piece for the electrical box weather cover. It has a lid that flips up except one hinge had tore out and it was just hanging from the other.
While I was working out back, I checked on the status of the greens Marg had laid out. Forgot to add this in the last blog. Yesterday after cutting the celery to put in the Sloppy Joe mix, she brought home the trimmings and laid them out on a paper plate. There has been a small rabbit hanging around the back and eating weeds and stuff, so she wanted to help it out. As we all know rabbits don't eat carrots, but this one loved the celery and cleaned it all up except for the base of the stalks.
By the time I finished, I went to the hall for lunch and was lucky to be joined by Marg. It was busy in there, but steady so they were not rushed off their feet when you have people who know what to do. After lunch I went to get my camera, I was so pre-occupied that I forgot to get photos earlier. I was just in time to catch the raffle draws. The ladies who organized it did an amazing job of gathering lots of good prizes. Marg was drawn for a nice throw and in fact drawn a second time, but told them to draw again so others would have a chance. She was the only one to do that, other multiple winners just took their prizes home. After the draws were all done, I stayed to help put the hall back in order so the people who were there all day could get away at a decent time.
After we got back we took quick showers, no not together. It was very hot today so after being so busy, needed to freshen up. Marg had a visitor to discuss the celebration tomorrow and then it was off to happy hour. The gals having worked in the kitchen all day I knew we would be eating out tonight. They decided to go to the Chinese buffet on Power road. We had been there in the past, but this was our first time this year. There were 11 of us went and the food was very good. A bit different from the other Chinese, but still very good, in fact some parts were better. It was kind of funny was the other vehicle insisted on taking a local road there, but I just went on the freeway. When they still weren't there quite a while after we were seated, I called Kenny to ask if Jerry's Kia had broke down. It turns out Kenny had drove, so I just said to try and get there before we were done with desert. As I sit here still feeling full, I think we are done with buffet dining for a while.
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