Saturday, November 23, 2024

Friends Leave, A Nice Change, Hot!

Park Place RV Park

On Saturday, Nov. 23rd we had a whole different day than usual. We were up at our normal time but I didn’t head out for my walk. Today, at the Town Park on the corner of N. Plymouth and Quail Trail is a one day event. It is like a community fair, without the rides and with the addition of 3 bands for musical entertainment. There were about 5 food vendors (from candy to burgers and corn dogs), a beer vendor and approximately 20 tents for various vendors and groups around town.

Good Morning!
This is today's entertainment

We packed a drink cooler for Bill to take, since he and his flying club had a tent set up for a static display from 10 to 5 pm. It was a chilly 41F/5C at 7 and I decided to ride to the park with Bill, the cooler, his plane, and my chair. I wanted to see where their tent would be for when I returned later. 😊 When we arrived that early, the boys had already set up the tables and canopy tent so I helped Bill unload the things and then walked home.

I waved goodbye as they pulled out of the park.

I had my cereal and tea and hung with Gibbs until we went for his walk. I’ve started a new Michael Connelly book called The Black Ice and it is one with Harry Bosch as the character. You know that means a page turner so I took it out to the gazebo to read a few beginning chapters. It was around 10:30 when Elva popped down to say goodbye to Gibbs and I and they pulled out before 11 like good rv'ers.

I rode up with Bill and got these early
morning shots. The arrow shows where their
tent canopy is across the field.

At 11, I changed into a sleeveless tank top and capris and carrying a light short sleeve cover-up and my visor, I walked back to the park. I knew exactly where I was going! 😊 It sure looked a lot different than it did at 7:30! 

When I walked back after 11, our friend
Jesse was ahead of me. He is training for
a marathon, in January, I think.

The place was full! I wanted to spend as much of the day as possible with Bill and I wanted to hear the Eagles Tribute Band before I walked home. We had lunch together; typical ‘fair-type’ food, his burger was thin and overcooked and although my hot dog was good, the bun fell apart immediately. Shrug, oh well. The prices were quite good.

A lot had happened since 7:30.

I liked the way the small atv's,
Jeeps etc. were parked.

This is the first entertainer.
When I entered the park, he called out for line dancers!
Good timing........no, I didn't go up front but
I did do a few dance steps once I got close to Bill's canopy. 

We spent the next 5 hours people watching and chatting with other club members and their wives. It was nice to see Kobus and CarolAnn again, they were in our park for part of last winter and looked after Gibbs one day for us. You might remember that. Now they stay on Jim’s property for the winter. The entertainment was good and I enjoyed walking around the vendors to pick up ‘freebies’. It reminded me of the Big Tent!

A cool sculpture, should have got the artist's name.

When the Eagles band finally started at 3ish, I listened to a few songs and at 3:45, decided to head home to our little boy. I knew he’d be good for 5 or 6 hours, if not more, but didn’t want to leave him that long. It only took me 15 minutes to walk home, leaving the bulky stuff for Bill to bring home in B.B. Gibbs was happy to see me and we went for his walk around the park. I sat a lot this afternoon, nothing different than what I’d do anyway, but I felt tired from the heat of the sun.

They all love talking about their hobby.
Bottom left is Jim and Ethel. The field is named after him.
He still flies and is in his early 90's. Such a nice man!

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the feel of it on my back, every minute! We reached 77F/25C but with hardly any breeze, it felt hotter than that. Our warm nights start tonight, only dropping to 52F/11C so that is great. For how ever long it lasts, we’re happy. Nancy, you will be so proud of me! I came home with 2 big bags of caramel (kettle) corn! Bill said one bag wasn’t enough. It was expensive but it’s once a year, right? 😊

It was packed!!

I started my blog and then sat with Gibbs until Bill got home. They had to dismantle planes, tables and the canopy before they left. It was a great day; they had a lot of interest in their hobby and I enjoyed being with them all too. Including my own pilot. For some reason, neither of us were keen on a meal at supper time so we snacked with crackers, chips and cheese. Even Gibbs got in on the action and cleaned up his supper.

My walk home was short and sweet.
It was warm though so I'm glad I carried my water.

This was a fun day. Not sure what the evening will bring in the way of tv. I have a few suggestions from my readers so may try one!

Some things are hard to resist.
Tsk tsk.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by!

Friday, November 22, 2024

Visiting, Pets for Mr. Gibbs, Dinner Out

Park Place RV Park 

On Friday, Nov. 22nd it was after 7 when I dragged myself out of bed. Ha ha, dragged, only because it was a morning where I’d been dreaming ‘forever’ and I could easily have talked myself into rolling over and going back to sleep. Nope, once I start doing that, I will find it too easy to make excuses each day. 😊 So, like a good girl, I got up, made the bed, washed, dressed and went for my walk.

Good morning!

It was colder still at that time of the morning, 37F/2.6C. Brr. But, again, no wind so other than my toque and gloves, I was pleasantly warm in just a fleece jacket and wind breaker. I do wear my heavy fleece stretch pants though and that helps. I was back just in time to see Bill packing up to head for the field. I had my cereal and tea before taking Gibbs out for his walk. He was raring to go and, although he walks well with me, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to stop when we got near home.

I made my bp coffee and walked over to the puzzle for a bit before lunch. Elva popped in to visit just before noon and we chatted until it was time to head out for lunch. I was home by 12:20 and decided since Bill wasn’t home yet, I’d cook up the last 4 keto pancakes for my lunch. He would be having a sandwich anyway. He wasn’t too much after me. My pancakes were good, drowned in that maple syrup how could they not be? 😊

Pancakes and syrup for lunch.
Um, maybe I should say Syrup with pancakes. 😂

After Bill went back to Jim’s, he did finish his plane this morning except for a flight test, Gibbs and I had visitors. Elva and Jerry stopped by for about 45 minutes. Gibbs could have been better, the barking at passersby frustrates me, but he had fun playing with Jerry and visa versa. There is a young family in the park (well, more than one) and when they walk their very quiet, calm dog, Gibbs just goes crazy with his barking. They take a long time walking by which enhances his noise. Today was no different. It’s not their fault, nor Gibbs’. It is ours.

Gibbs knew who to go to to get belly rubs

When they left with ‘see ya laters’, Irma popped over and although the barking ensued again, Gibbs did calm down once we basically ignored him. We caught up on a few bits of news and I showed her the info on the event at the town park tomorrow. It should be a good day. Bill’s flying club, as well as other vendors, will have a static display, of sorts, for attendees and it is all free. I hope it turns out well for them all.

And he had to pose with Elva for a picture too!
Bill and a few of the guys were setting up later this afternoon but when he returned home at 4, we got cleaned up for a meal out with our friends. Elva and Jerry suggested Mountain Quail Café and with it being their Fish and Chips special ‘night’, we’re all in. We’ve wanted to try them for a while but find we’re never there on the right night. There may be a line up – we’ll see. 

Yummy!

We had service right at the door when Jerry’s Jeep pulled up to drive to the restaurant at 4:45. Right on time, too! 😊 There was a line-up at the door so we added our name to the list. As many people were piling out as were lined up to enter so it was maybe 10 minutes and large groups were allowed to find a seat. We ordered and were in and out by 6 pm. That’s without rushing!

Elva suggested I take a picture of the palms for
our friend, Patty.

The meals were great and topped off by our drivers footing the bill. That wasn’t planned or necessary but we accepted with grace. It was very nice. Back home, Gibbs was patiently waiting for us in the dark. Oops! We forgot to leave a light on for him. I finished my blog and we watched tv to pass the evening. This was a really nice day, with visits from friends and neighbours. We reached a lovely high of 76F/24.4C today, another bonus.

Thank you to my readers who suggested some new series for me to watch. I've been curious about Murder in a Small Town and now Landman also sounds interesting with BB Thornton. Matlock and Elspeth are both off until after Thanksgiving, returning on Dec. 5th and I found that Cross recorded all 8 episodes on Nov. 14th so I can stream them now at my leisure. PS - Nancy K, Gibbs loved all the pets you asked Elva to give him! 😍

Thank you Jerry and Elva!
The romantic lighting was perfect! 💖
Good night!

Thank you for your visit.

Thursday, November 21, 2024

A New Puzzle, Friends Arrive in the Park

Park Place RV Park

On Thursday, Nov. 21st I was up and out the door by 7:15. It was the beautiful sky that motivated me this morning! Wow, it was gorgeous. Before I was even dressed, I was at our open door snapping a picture. 😊 The air was cool today, only 39F/4C with 3 mph winds so I grabbed the toque I knitted last winter and slipped it on. As long as your head is warm, they say, your will not feel as cold.

Good morning!
We still have the view from
our door.

It sure was a pretty sky this morning.

It worked well, even though I didn’t pull it over my ears. By the time I finished my walk, 25 minutes later, I was plenty warmed and had removed my gloves. There were clouds hovering over us when we got up so Bill debated whether to switch us to solar power. Upon checking the forecast, a full sunny day presented itself by 9 am.

Yup, it was a toque morningm
but not for long!
PS, I'm not one to wear toques!

He left for the field after 8 and when I took Gibbs for his walk, I turned the inverter on and the power to the post off. By then, I had also changed to shorts. I was done my JP book so went through our book cupboard to see what choices I have. There were 6 books I’d read in there that I’m sure Bill won’t read so took them out. He is a shoe-in for the mystery authors he knows but not the Janet Evanovich or Louise Penny.

A lovely morning
and soon enough those clouds disappeared.

Around 10, I made my b p coffee and took the garbage over and the bag with those books for the library. I chose my next one from my stash, The Black Ice by Michael Connelly but rather than start it, I took my next puzzle over to the clubhouse. It looks interesting and hopefully not quite as mind wrenching! 😊  I worked away until noon hour, putting the chocolate bar puzzle on the shelf. I don’t care to see it again! Ha!

This one looks a bit easier.

Bill and I met back at home for lunch and he left for Jim’s again. He is dealing with some frustration on the plane he’s working on and wants to focus on finishing it before Monday, if possible. I waited with Gibbs, started my blog and then sat outside in the gazebo until closer to 2. We have friends coming into the park for a couple of nights so that will be nice. We’ve made plans for dinner out tomorrow before they pull out again on Saturday.

Can you see what this is?
Monkey was left up on the back of my chair
from when Gibbs was watching Daddy leave.
I do believe he's waving goodbye!

Elva and Jerry arrived around 3 and since I was in the clubhouse, I slipped out to give hugs. Jerry was in the office, Elva popped in later. 😊 Nice to see them again! I worked away at the new puzzle, yes, it is easy (ier) than the last two so I’m happy about that. When I returned before 4, Gibbs and I went for our ‘around the park’ walk. Bill had just pulled in as we returned to our site. Gibbs turned into a sled dog as soon as he saw who was home. LOL

It's coming along nicely.

For supper, Bill grilled sausages and inside it was a simple can of Van Camp brown beans. The sausages are big and we didn’t need anything else on our plates. 

Our friend Patty was asking for some palm tree pictures

Recognize anyone in this picture?
You might have to zoom in.

Well, except a few bread and butter pickles. Tonight, my tv watching is changing. There are other things moving into the slot for Matlock and Elspeth until Dec. 5th. I don’t know about Cross, but darn it all, it just started! I may have to find a movie after all.

The first paragliders since we arrived.

This has been a lovely day. The 75F/224C felt wonderful but it still felt cool in the shade. Geesh, I’m a wuss! This will be our last night of 42F/6C before we warm up to double digits again. 😊

Simple supper.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping around.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Coffee Hour, An Afternoon with a Good Book

Park Place RV Park

On Wednesday, Nov. 20th things were normal for our startup. I was up and out the door before 7:30 and once more caught the sunrise once I was on Quail Trail. It runs east to west and that’s the way I start out. That meant I could tell by the pink mountains in front of me when the sun was ready to pop behind me so I turned around to get it on camera. 😊

Good morning!
The pink mountains are a prelude
to the sunrise. 💓 I love them!

Back home, Bill was ready to leave for the field, he is happy about the low winds first thing too. He is able to get a couple of flights in before he heads to Jim’s. The Hangar there is where Jim has a shop set up for pilots to fix planes after boo-boos so it is very handy. Bill is almost finished covering his plane, which will free up his afternoons for other things here at home.

The preview and the main performance

After my tea, Gibbs and I went for his walk, around the park, although shortened by me today. For some reason, he was in the mood to bark at people and vehicles which he doesn’t usually do when walking. I admonished him and returned home quicker. He knows full well why we get upset but doesn’t seem to have the power to stop himself. Ha ha

I walk by it every day.
The back side, you can walk right through the middle,
or through each building to the other side.
The porch on the other side is wheelchair accessible.

I walked over to the clubhouse for their Wednesday morning Coffee Hour at 9. Jess was just a few steps ahead of me so I sat next to her. Today, there were 8 of us, an improvement from last week. We are regulars, so to speak, unless something else we’re interested in down town is held on the same morning. Shortly after 10, I returned home and pulled my paints, markers and rocks out from under the bed. It was time to at least get them set up in the gazebo. 😊

I've always thought of walking into this
postal mailbox building so today was the day.

I read a few chapters of my book until Bill came home for lunch. He had his sandwich and I made a quesadilla for myself. The discussion about supper ensued, we agreed on pork shoulder chops and while my boys dozed, I went out to the gazebo again. Bill went back to Jim’s this afternoon and when Gibbs had no interest in coming outside, I remained where I was, in the sunny gazebo, out of the breeze.

The pictures are not good but
as I was sitting at my laptop,
I had a visitor outside my window.
First time! And he came back twice. ♥

Irma (Erma?) from a couple of sites down is a blog follower who we met a couple of years ago when they checked into the park. I knew who they were but would not have passed a test on what her name was – until she told me. Ah yes! She and Walt were cleaning out the basement of their home and she popped over to ask if Bill could use some portable shop lights that they didn’t want any longer. We chatted for a bit and made some future plans involving thrift shops. 😊 Yay!

Monkey is hanging in there with still some
stuffing yet to come out. His body is in a bit of a mess though.
He is well loved.

I’m so close to finishing my book but when Bill got home I put it down and took Gibbs for his afternoon walk. No hesitation on his part! What a little bum he is. Who exactly is in charge here? Don’t answer that! I'll finish my book tonight. Bill hooked up the lights and liked my suggestion of using one for when he barbecues in the dark. So, thank you Irma and Walt!


There is a lot of this pork so I just had him reheat the 2 small potato halves as well and I cooked mixed veggies inside. Our appetites sure are not what they used to be. The pork grilled up nicely, still a bit pink in the centre but tender and tasty. We cleaned up the mugs and turned the dishwasher on. Tonight is Survivor night for me and Bill will find something of his own to watch upstairs.

This was after our walk.

This has been a quiet day. Tomorrow, I will start a new puzzle – hopefully an easier one! Ha! We’ll see about that. We reached 73F/23C (although it didn’t feel that warm to me) and after a couple more cool nights (42F/5C) we start to get warmer evenings for a few. If your ground is still green or brown, then your November is doing you right too!

A good supper tonight.
Good night!

Thank you for the visit and always for your comments.                                                                               

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

A Few Wispy Clouds, More Puzzling

Park Place RV Park

On Tuesday, Nov. 19th I wasn’t awake enough to rise until almost 7:30! I had gone to bed at 10 and was off to dreamland right away. I woke 2 hours later, feeling as if I’d slept a whole night, and realized that Bill still wasn’t in bed and it was only midnight. LOL, luckily, I can roll over and drop right back off. However, that short spurt of being awake kept me sleeping later this morning. 😊

Good morning!
I beat the sun up at least!

Another opportunity to see
it pop

First thing in the morning is the best time for me to walk for a couple of reasons. Number one, there is hardly any traffic at all and I get to enjoy the sunrises. Number two, if there will be winds throughout the day, they have not yet woken up by the time I return. I don’t like walking in wind unless it is warm. At that time of the day, it is seldom warm, especially when it comes from the north or northeast.

The clouds were the premiere

Back home, Bill was almost ready to leave for the field. I made my tea and had cereal while playing my Wordle games. I left the Phrazle until later, it needed some thought. 😊 M has had no serious responses for renting out his apartment so asked if I would not only post it on Marketplace (back home) but also on Kijiji. That was easy this time, just re-activating the same one with a couple of tweaks.

Well, hello there!🐇

Most interested people can’t read (sarcasm) and end up ‘replying’ directly on the ad, even if I tell them not to. I have to respond and point out M’s phone #. Duh! It’s very annoying but M isn’t on Facebook nor is Kijiji his thing. Anyway, it’s posted on both and we can only hope and pray that someone is seriously interested. LOL I then had my shower before taking the little bum for his walk.

Clouds, jet streams, and sunny rays

It was his normal long walk today, as a matter of fact he didn’t want to come home! There were still a lot of things he hadn’t sniffed yet. He did come in and I made my bp coffee, gave him his treat and went to the puzzle shortly after 10. It is getting easier now that many pieces are in place. For the duplicate pictures of the chocolate, some are complete so I know where the others of the same will go. I know that is probably confusing but I know what I mean, even if you don’t! 😊

Seems to be these communities popping up
all over the desert.
It's a good place for them, I don't see them in the park.

Back home for lunch, I made a peanut butter and green onion sandwich today. Just a switch up from the cold meat. Bill and Gibbs snoozed and I decided to make Rice Krispie squares, the ones with peanut butter. I need to come up with something other than what I’d first planned for the potluck…………..something for a main dish. Hmm, I’ll be thinking on that this week.

Peanut butter rice krispie squares

After the squares were made, they take no time at all, I went to the clubhouse to work on the puzzle again. I told Bill that when this one is done, I may take a break and get out my rocks, paints and markers for a switch-a-roo. 😊 As it turned out, at 4 o’clock when the office closed, I was so close to finishing the puzzle that I couldn’t leave it. Within 15 minutes, it was done and I was on my way home. It went pretty smooth this afternoon, sorting into colours.

We decided on a simple supper of pancakes and mini sausages tonight so I mixed up Bill’s pancake batter from Bisquick and my keto mix from a recipe. I started cooking around 5:30, using my electric frypan for the pancakes, it’s more even cooking space. With home ‘reared’ maple syrup, of course everything was very good! We cleaned up the pans, loaded the dishwasher and settled in for the evening.

Tadah!!

Today has been a bit on the cool side, only because of the ne winds. They weren’t strong, just cool. Gibbs and I went for our afternoon walk, he was so hyped up to get out and moving that I can’t help but wonder what was bothering him over the last week. Anyway, he seems back to normal now, even for Bill in the early morning, he wants to keep moving.

Neither of us could eat them all.
Pancakes are so filling.
Good night!

We reached a high of 69F/19C today with a covering of wispy clouds for most of the day. We’ve enjoyed it!

Thank you for popping by.

Monday, November 18, 2024

Starting Another Week, Winds Pick Up

Park Place RV Park

On Monday, Nov. 18th I had to check my birthday card list to make sure I wasn’t missing anyone – and I wasn’t. Just as well, since the postal service strike would delay them anyway. I was up at 7, got my puppy dog kisses before getting out of bed to start my day. I left for my walk and although the winds were light at that time, Bill said it felt cooler than yesterday.

Good morning!

I was warm with what outerwear I chose but I’m glad I remembered my gloves. It was a nice walk and when I returned, Bill was ready to head out. He told me later that he got a flight in before the winds picked up, which is good. I offered Gibbs a walk before I went to the clubhouse at 10 and the little bum took me around the whole outside perimeter, as he used to. Go figure! Ha ha, I’m glad though, he needs it as much as I do.

I love how some plants/bushes
appear to be dead and then show new growth

There is just something about barbed wire
that reminds me of my younger years on the farms

I went to work on the puzzle and wasn’t making great strides until Bill came in around 11. He thought it was later when he left Jim’s so sat and actually put a few pieces in! I guess that was lucky for me because I began to plop more in after he went home for an early lunch. We had our sandwiches and after he left again, I returned. I felt a lot better when I returned home at 4, having made great progress after eating. 😊

This bus is in the park on the corner.
It is pristine! Love it.
Look at the solar panels on the roof.

Bill wasn’t home yet so I offered another walk to Mr. Gibbs and reluctantly he accepted. We didn’t go as far but he did leave our site and walk to the corner of Coyote and Riggles before he turned back for home. He did find a hard plastic bottle so brought him home to show Daddy and chew on. I eventually took it from him but he coveted it for about half hour first.

Much improved! I'm pleased about that.


The picture on the left is the 'stop and decide' pose.
He decided after finding this bottle.
Let's get it home, Mom!

He almost didn't want to come inside because
his bottle couldn't come in.
He eventually dropped it and came in but then sat at
the door staring at it from the doorway. LOL
It's in the garbage now.

Bill grilled his bacon cheeseburgers for supper and as usual, they were filling and very good. I finished my blog and at 7 we watched NCIS. I’d forgotten to watch The Floor last night, got into a Tragically Hip special. It was 3 episodes long over 2 nights and I quite enjoyed getting to know the band better. That just makes me even sadder about losing Gord Downie though. I never knew much about the band before.

Yummy, as usual.

This has been a quiet day but a good one all the same. We’re happy to hear our traveling friends are moving along nicely and yet glad at the same time that our traveling is done for a few months. 😊 I hope you’ve had a nice day. We reached 71F/22C today. Donna sent us a video of her walking up the laneway at the Ridge while she checked things out. It’s all secure, ‘just as we left it’, she said. It was a pleasant day back home too.

Now this is a treat! Bill took these
two pictures (among 10 others).
This Roadrunner hangs out at Jim's and seems quite friendly.
Beep Beep!
Good night!

Thank you for stopping in. Always too, thank you for your comments.