Bill was actually up first on
Thursday, Dec. 28th. Not by much but still, it is rare nowadays. He
used to always be the first to rise out of bed and I slept in until 7:30 if I
could. Today we were both up by 7:30, drinking our brews. It was another warm
start to the day registering 51F on the outside temperature. When I finished my
tea, I prepared to go for a walk.
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| Good morning, Mr. Sunshine! |
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| Bridgette and I from Summer of '16 |
Bill was in the middle of reading my
daughter, Bridgette’s, latest blog post. Now she is the writer of the family.
We get a kick out of her independence, humour and dedication to things she
loves. If you are interested, check it out at Two Cents. If not, the title is
Inked and here is what she is writing about.
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| Her first tattoo! It is gorgeous and perfect for my bookworm The names are her two boys, my grandsons Five books and eleven birds She was born on May 11th |
When he finished reading, he joined
me for our walk around the park. It is always a treat for me when he wants to
walk with me but I don’t put pressure on him and I know not to expect it on a
daily basis. After getting back, I hopped in the shower and Bill had some
cereal before getting his toy out again. Today it was fully charged.
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| This little beauty got pictures of our site here and some of the office and clubhouse |
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| Pretty nails and walnuts for a snack before lunch |
I didn’t want a big breakfast today
either, since we are going out for lunch at 1 pm with friends. I figured an
orange and some yogourt would be enough since it was already 9:30. We are being
overrun with fruit flies here and I’m wondering if it is because of the ficus
tree on our doorstep. They aren’t just inside but outside the windows as well.
Suzie has them in their coach too and it seems a ‘fruitless’ battle to get rid
of them. Ha ha how is that for a play on words? LOL
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| This is sitting in the corner on the floor and seems to be working pretty good. |
We’ve got a dish of apple cider
vinegar off in a corner with saran wrap over it. The teensy holes will allow
them in but not out. It works to some degree but not 100%. There are
just too many. They are so annoying all around our faces and sink. It is always
something, isn’t it? Sorry to be griping about something so minor!
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| I took this blurred photo from the bottom of the container Yeuch! they gave their life and for what purpose? |
Bill and Clemson moved outside to
read so before I went out to join them, I got out our Black Flag fly, ant, bee
and ‘other annoying bugs’ killer. Making sure there was no food out and
covering our coffee mugs, I sprayed generously throughout the Suite. Bedroom,
bathroom, living room and kitchen areas all got a good dose. Then I closed the
door and went outside.
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| A row of ficus trees are our neighbours the trees have caused a few discussions in the park They have lovely white trunks and the bright green branches form wonderful shade in the shape of an umbrella |
We were outside for a while before
deciding to have our second brew of the day. We noticed a few of the teensy
flies but a whole lot less than before I sprayed. Bill doesn’t like to sit in
the sun so he moved around a couple of times and eventually went inside. He is
reading another of Lee Child’s books, Never Go Back, with Jack Reacher. It must
be good.
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| My boys sitting in the shade |
I finished a chapter and took my
camera for a walk. It was 12 noon.
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| I walked through the gate, out into the area beside the park |
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| Looking back this way is the blm camping area My sister, Gayle and John, camped here for a few nights last year so we could spend Christmas Day together |
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| Still a kid at heart, I had to write my name in the sand |
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| Looking back at the park |
We cleaned up and walked over to hitch a
ride with George and Suzie to Yuma. They had invited us to join them one day to
go to Lin’s for their Chinese buffet.
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| George was driving so took the time to clean his car up for us It even got a vacuuming! |
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| That's when I noticed this park staff painting the lane signs They are doing a lot of prep for the January crowd |
Heading in for 1 o’clock guarantees that
it isn’t as busy as it would be at noon but also guarantees a great buffet for
only $8.81. Wow, that is fantastic!
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| spring rolls, shrimp, ribs, mushrooms, chow mein, wings, zucchini and pot stickers, oh my! |
There is always such a feeling of
obligation to eat as much as you can when really it doesn’t take more than one
plate full and you’re already looking at the cost of your full meal. I used to
like Chinese buffets so I could sample things but learned early on that I would
waste food.
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| Only one of the many rows of main dishes |
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| One row of desserts and condiments |
Now, I stick to what I know I like. I still ate a lot, probably
more than was necessary, but it was all very good and I savoured every morsel. Even
the chicken wing I took although it had a kick to it.
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| And then dessert They could keep the chocolate pudding but everything else was yummy |
We shared a table with Sue and Roger
as well who accepted the invitation as well. It was good food and a good time.
This is our 3rd visit since last November but definitely not our
last. I’m not generally a tease, but George challenged me to take a photo of
the bananas coated in a strawberry sauce for our friend, Pat.
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| Love you Patricia! |
Pat and Rob
couldn’t make it south this year so you guys back home need to know that we ate
enough for everyone!
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| Suzie, Bill, Sue, Roger and George |
Back home, I soon decided that even
though it was time for the tradition of Happy Hour, I wasn’t participating
today. I felt tired and just wanted to get my lounge chair out and rest,
possibly with a snooze in there. Bill readily agreed and he moved inside. He
dropped off almost immediately, I could hear the firewood stacking up indoors.
I’m not innocent, I did drop off for a cat nap as well.
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| The view from my lounge chair at 3 pm |
With the temperature
sitting in the high 70’s (sorry, Lorne) the sun was too hot (can’t believe I’m saying
that!) so my feet were in the glow and the rest of me in the shade.
When I came inside after probably an
hour, Bill asked me to check his forehead. He felt very hot, close to feverish.
Hmm, that’s not good. He’s had a bit of an annoying cough today from a ‘tickle’
in his throat so I hope he isn’t coming down with something. I made him a tea
with honey, since he refused an offer of mullien tea (Donna, I tried!).
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| Something about the sunsets through the trees captures my attention |
It was just 5 so I went for a walk to
the clubhouse and made a contribution to the puzzle. It looks like I’m the only
one working on it and that is fine but I need to stay longer. Tomorrow, I will
make a commitment to spend more time there. I do enjoy it. That is one thing I
miss in this lifestyle. Having room to work on a puzzle anytime of day or
evening. Oh well, I’ll take advantage of the parks that offer them.
Back home, I noticed George and Suzie
sitting outside with their media devices. Suzie reading and George, no doubt, finishing
his blog post for today. I captured a few (too many) pictures of the sunset
over the fence and wasn’t surprised to see another lady out doing the same
thing tonight. The sunsets are just stunning!
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| This farm house next to the park makes a nice silhouette against the clear sky |
This has been another wonderful day
in the desert of California. I hope you’ve had a great day and if you are back
home, snowed in, please take care when you are clearing the white stuff and
especially driving and walking in it.
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| I wanted to close with this stunning picture of a beautiful new family this is my little brother's oldest son, Nick, holding his very first child. Victoria, his girlfriend and her son Drayden and they make a special family unit Therefore, my brother's first grandchild to carry on the family name *Sigh* |
Thank you for stopping in! I love to
hear from you!