Hot and Quiet

 Park Place Rv Park

On Wednesday, hump day, Mar. 18th, it was 7 when I got myself up and out of bed. Gibbs and Piggy were waiting and I eventually received hugs and kisses. Piggy is non-compliant which is fine by me. I'm going to call her Dirty Piggy!

Good morning!
Starting with a park coffee hour
& conversation.

We closed windows and turned the a/c on, set around 74F/21C. It will be determined later in the day when we heat up to 100F/34C if we drop it. Bill went out to help Fred move a storage shed from Site #1 to Site #2, for the next hosts. It didn't take long and 8 am was a good time to do it.

Okay, here is 'Miss' dirty Piggy.
She is only 6 days old and has
almost lost a tail, a fair amount of stuffing,
a partial squeaker but full of little holes,
she is so loved. 😍💕

He and Gibbs went around the park to check on everything and I went to the office before 9. I could smell Sue's yummy cake when I walked in. She is nicknamed Betty Crocker by a few residents who partake in coffee hour. 💖

White is over-rated anyway.
😂

It was a decent turn out this morning, and I had a nice chat - after the fact - with Mike and Mae. Mae and I discussed clothing exchanges and our closets that contain things we may never wear. Later, she brought me a very colourful top to try......it may go to my exchange back home!

Well! big progress made today!
Probably the hardest puzzle I've
done but it WILL get finished before
we leave.

The day went by with me at the puzzle, very few phone calls, a couple of actual business dealings and more puzzle. Bill and Gibbs did another run around the park at 4 and we returned home together. 

Sitting in the office,
the 2 owls I gave Sue
and a wind-up chickie
from Anne Marie.
I think she likes them.

Because of the a/c in the clubhouse, I was content to lay in my gravity chair outside for a snooze. The shaded patio had a nice breeze and yet, when I came in at 5, I was happy for the coolness of our Suite. 

Chicken and broccoli
Both were perfect!

For supper, we had chicken thighs in Rosy, the air fryer, with beans for Bill and broccoli for me. It took 20 minutes for the thighs to cook and everything else fell into place. It was a nice supper without heating the Suite much more than it already was.

Gibbs sits on us for a while
but eventually goes to the floor
where it is cooler.

It will be a warm evening, to say the least. Even Gibbs didn't want to go for his walk this afternoon, he's a wimp like we are! We did reach the high of 102F/35C by this afternoon.

A memory from Mar. 18th, 2017
Our first year meeting Lori, Roland,
Judy and Oscar at
Bullhead City, Az.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by.

Getting Hot Again, Took a Class! Special Birthday

The Ridge

On Wednesday, July 23rd I was awake and up early. Bill was washing after taking Gibbs out and so I did my exercises and got up about 6:15 once he was out of the bathroom. It was a lovely morning again, around 15C/60F at 7 when I was opening the door to the Mat.

Good morning!
This picture turned out better than I thought!

That's the earliest I've been so far this summer and I had to unlock the back door. 3 customers arrived, one at the same time as me, and 2 other regulars. I was out of there within the hour, leaving the place looking clean. 

Gibbs and I sat out in the screen tent 
after I got home. Perfect day!

I could feel another lazy-type day coming on and why the heck not? I was feeling a bit of achy-ness in my legs but it was more a tired feeling when I got up and down. Crawling around on the ground yesterday was not to be unheard. 😉

Sitting here, I get melancholy and
truly count my blessings. Often.
It is quiet, no pressure/stress, beautiful
and it feels like we have the world in a firm grip.
I sure hope we can continue to live here for a 
few years yet, and travel the way we are.
Life is peaceful up here.
💓

I had a quilling class of a different sort this afternoon so prepared the list of 'tools' I would need so I would be ready. Then, I took myself outside with Gibbs and we sat in the screen tent reading my book. By the end of the day, this J.A. Jance's 'A-List' would be finished. 

The grass is cooler out there, apparently.

I uncovered my vegetables when I returned from town so they would get fresh air throughout the day. They were looking dry and wilty just from the heat of the afternoon sun so they got a good watering. There definitely needs to be a better plan for placement next summer.

However, deep in the wee branches of my tomato plants, I harvested 2 lovely red Best Boys. They never get as big as I hoped but I don't want birds, bugs or the unknown to get them before me so I bring them in. Looks like a decent crop and they shouldn't all ripen at once. 

My first two and just in time.
I finished the last of the grocery store variety
the other day.

I moved into the coolness of my She-Shed around 3 and worked on my puzzle. Bill got home around 4:15 and I stayed to finish it while he had his snooze. 

With the puzzle finished and now that
I see the picture, I managed to guess 
how the victim in the story died.
Not completely, but close.

Before 5, he went to the hangar and I settled with my phone for an online quilling class with my Arizona teacher, Jess! Yay! 💗

Jess, in Flagstaff, AZ
talking to us two participants.
Love the name of the other guest.

This was a freebie, doing a familiar flower pattern, but she was testing a new online tool called Patreon. New to her anyway and the rest of us. Only one other Arizona snowbird, from somewhere out there, and I were attending. I thought Linda might have joined but didn't.

It's blurred, but here she is placing
a petal in her blue flower.
She had a follow-up survey so I gave her
a suggestion for next time.
She did great!

The class was long and although Jess was live at 2 pm Pacific, it meant 5 for me which takes it through the supper hour. Because I've become quite quick at some of the things she took time to teach, Bill was able to grill our sausages (on a bun) and we ate at the same time. 😋

No long braids anymore, but
still a cutie patootie.
Miss you, Jess and Jesse.

I may or may not join future classes, but the difference in time could make it a challenge. We'll see. It was a nice chance to 'see' Jess (it was a one-way video/voice class) and say hi to Jesse in the background while we worked. 💕 I sure hope things work out so we can get back to see them.

Her prototype on the left
Mine on the right.
I will add a couple of things on my card.

After clean up and class was done, Bill and I sat and watched the first 2 episodes of Ballard. This is a spin-off from the Harry Bosch series that we've watched from beginning to end. Taken of course from Michael Connelly's stories. 

It was a hot day but with a breeze, quite lovely. We reached 28C/84F with clear skies. More heat expected on Thursday and a possible rain storm late in the day as well. I recovered my plants after watering them at 4 and left them to bounce back overnight.

Happy Birthday Donna.
An old picture but a good one.
Clemson's little butt in the bottom corner. 💗

Last but far from least, my sister, Donna, is celebrating her 75th birthday today. She won't mind me giving her age as she is very proud to be where and who she is. She has good reason too!

Again, a couple of years ago
but one of Donna's favourite things
to do.
Good night!

Thank you for popping by!

Who Turned the Heat On?

The Ridge

On Monday, July 3^rd, it was a government holiday for many Canadians and others who did not close on Saturday, July 1^st  or who do not work weekends. Working for the school board, Bill and I always looked so forward to the long weekend as we always got the Monday off regardless of what day Canada Day fell on. We woke up today late, like at 6:45! Even Gibbs hadn’t been out but that credit goes to a late evening for all of us.

First picture is of our security Dog
I'm cutting grass on the left of the fence
Bill is in his Hangar on the right
Gibbs has perfect view of both of us 💘

Last night, I watched Rizolli and Isles and when Bill came up, we continued watching until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I think you can tell that I (we) am enjoying the whole streaming thing even if the shows are not new right now. We didn’t have to be anywhere at all today so just did our own thing. My first thing was to cut the outside corral hill grass that Bill wasn’t able to finish on Thursday.

I was in the Bunky
Bill was at the storage shed
Gibbs in the middle

It was mostly tall weeds that lay down when the mower touches them but I got it done early until the battery began to die. It looks 100% better! Even at 8:30, it was starting to heat up out there. That half hour finished me for the day – almost! 😊 Bill is working on his own project, I keep calling them that, but that’s only because it is stuff that he does without any ‘real’ help from me. The occasional “dear, can you come help with something?” He will write about this one day.

Looks like fun, EH?

I'm enjoying this one too.
Haven't met too many puzzle I don't love. 😆

I put the old puzzle away and began a new 1000-pc one. It took me forever to get the pieces all out on my small round tables and flipping them over. Getting the border done was pretty easy once I moved the pieces out of the way to get the perimeter to fit. This one is of various looking front doors and their doorknobs. It’s another nice one from cousin Joan. Gibbs wanted to be out as well, so, for the morning, at least, he found shaded spots close to both or either of us.

The perfect spot
Half sun half shade
Gibbs wasn't overjoyed but I'm sure it cooled him

After lunch, for which we just had a sandwich, we kept Gibbs inside where it was cooler for him. When I was ready to stop puzzling for a while, I got our little pool out so Gibbs and I could get our feet wet. He wasn’t keen but I’m sure it cooled him down when I set him in it. 😊 He just wanted to drink it! LOL Bill joined me before supper and then dumped our black tank. It took two half loads, easier to pull across the lot that way. Our mower is out of commission so it’s a hand job today.

He slept on the pillows for
quite a while and I read my book
beside him
He could see down to the Hangar, fyi

We had our favourite burgers for supper with a Chapman’s ice cream bar for dessert. I’d stripped the bed this morning so Bill helped me make the bed and we closed things up in the bedroom and turned the a/c on up there. We’ll turn it off before we go to bed, it’s too noisy for Bill. 😊 He went to the hangar, I wrote my blog and Gibbs slept on the floor.

Who feels like eating much on these hot days?
Not us!

We noticed things happening next door, to the east, and darned if the people who have only been there for a year + haven’t put their house up for sale! Bill saw a drone taking pictures, and I heard the stake being pounded in to the ground. It was confirmed when Gibbs and I walked down to bring the recycle bins up.  What a turnaround this little neighbourhood is having!

I filled the feeders today
and it took until now for the Grackles to notice.
I wish they hadn't. I moved both finch feeders to
the other crook with the hummer food.

This has been a very hot day and there are more on the horizon. We reached a balmy/muggy 29C/83F with the humidex higher than that and dropping to a warm low tonight of only 16C/60F. I know it is a lot hotter in Arizona but that’s why we’re here and they’re there. 😊 Sorry friends! Turn that a/c on! Tonight, I plan on watching a few more episodes of R & I OR a few more chapters in the book I started. This one is called Room on Rue Amelie by Kristen Harmel and it is starting out quite good.

I can't see it too clearly but yes,
that is definitely a For Sale sign.
Good night!

Thank you for the visit.

The Heat is On and We're Enjoying It

 Tres Rios RV Resort, Glen Rose, TX

Tuesday, Nov. 16^th I was the first one up because Gibbs sensed my movement and came up with a kiss. 😊 I slipped into lunge pants and took him out for his first piddle and poop. What a greeting when I opened the door! It was so warm! We went back upstairs but since it was 7, I got dressed. I’d thought about a walk but made my tea instead and sat downstairs for a while. Bill joined me soon after.

We started out with some clouds this morning

The clouds were quite prominent first thing but by 9 they had cleared out of the area. We agreed to try and get on track with our eating, little by little, to skip the cereal and hold out for a decent brunch instead. I sat outside with Gibbs for a while and was impressed by how he behaved while other dogs and their owners walked by. A little admonishment was all that was required.

But it didn't take long to clear out

My orange patio chair has given up the ghost so we got out our 2020 Christmas gifts, the big bear chairs. 😊 I refused Gibbs a seat on my lap, hoping the little blue stool will be his ‘go to’ chair when outdoors. He seems to like it but he’s so involved in keeping security that he is on and off a lot right now. I don’t know what we’d do without his patrolling!

Our security dog

I brought him inside with Bill after an early coffee and took myself for a walk around the park. Time to check out the clubhouse, the ‘Palace’ rooms and the Lone Star Lodge near the back of the park. I also checked out the pool, which sadly is closed for the season?? Anyway, I walked in on the 10:00 am craft session but didn’t join although I was encouraged by the 8 ladies. Maybe another day.

Inside this morning, I had longer hair
Wait a minute, that's someone's tail!

We were informed of a Thanksgiving potluck on Saturday so I wandered up to the Office to see what was expected. Bill and I don’t like potlucks at campgrounds, plain and simple, even less when we’re with people we don’t know from Adam, BUT the list left it up to us what we wanted to bring which is better than being told ‘salad’, ‘dessert’, ‘potato dish’ etc. At home with family, I don’t mind it as much. 😊

Bill trying to get the material off
At the end of the day, he decided it would go to the garbage after all

We had bacon and eggs at noon and that should get us through until supper. Bill went out to retrieve the canvas on my broken chair since there is nothing wrong with it. It may end up being garbage too but for now………we’ll keep it. 

Still watching

The day had warmed up to 79F/26C by noon hour so that pool would have been a real treat for this gal! Once the sun moves further west, it will be lovely sitting on our shaded patio with a breeze. Can you believe I’m saying that??

Walking down to the river
One of the Tres Rios

We talked about whether we wanted to gadabout, the stockyards being one thing, and we may head into Glen Rose one day for shopping and perhaps Stephenville to their Hometown Antique Mall or Cowboy Walk of Fame. The stockyards are an hour’s drive back to Fort Worth which would likely mean being away from Gibbs for at minimum 5 hours. We ruled that out this time although it would provide a lot of things to do. Another trip.

It was pretty down along the water

Tomorrow, I'll check out the end of the stream
It is definitely shallow along here

I joined the boys on the patio, watching Bill work. It’s what I’m quite good at! 😊 He finished with the chair and then worked on the barbecue getting it working like new again. Good thing, we’ll need it soon. Gibbs and I went for a walk along the river/creek and it was almost too much for our furry little guy. He was pretty happy to be back home for a good long drink. Funny, at home, he tries to get to the water of the pond. Here, he wouldn’t get close enough to get a drink from the clear water.

Good books for both of us
it was nice to chill out this afternoon

The rest of the afternoon, Bill and I sat with our books. He finished his and I got pretty close. Gibbs was out with us the whole time and although he was somewhat of a nuisance when neighbours went about their business, he wasn’t terrible. It seemed like we said ‘stop barking’ a whole lot. At 4:30, the winds had us coming indoors, it has been quite strong all day long. With the heat, it did feel pretty nice though.

nice pool, too bad about the closure

Sometimes, Mr. Security took time out for play

For supper, I heated up a pot of chili and we had it on toast. It has been thawed for a few days so I wanted to start eating it. I cooked some mixed veggies and reheated the corned beef that was leftover from a casino night. I threw the rye bread out. Gibbs had his supper and we stepped out into the light from our outdoor light so he could do his business. It is a lovely mild evening. 😊

A filling meal and some fridge items
cleaned up

This was a good day and we watched some programs on our PVR and recorded others before calling it a night. I’d snoozed in my chair when we came in from outside, but I still know I’ll sleep well tonight.

This might be my favourite picture of the day
Good night!

Thank you for the visit!

Time to Rotate Tires, Sad Farewell, Gorgeous Day, Members Park

On Tuesday, Dec. 11^th we were both awake around 6 when Clemson had to go out. He slept through the night, yay! and then decided to stay downstairs. Double yay! That means some cuddle time for his Mom and Dad without a little furball in between us. We were up by 7 to greet this bittersweet day. It was moving day for us and as much as we were anxious to get settled in a park for a month, it was sad to say goodbye to our hosts, George and Rose.

Cloudy skies first thing

It was light enough for me to go out right away so slipped on my jacket and go for my walk. I walked southeast on Kibbey and up around to Palo Verde N. right onto Inverness and then around to Daniel back on Palo Verde N. You don’t care but one day I might want to know which streets I took. It was a nice walk with some unique decorations and homes. I keep seeing the timid bunnies but can’t catch them on camera. Just their blurred fluffy white tails as they hop away from me.

I didn't hear any 'geezer' play but love the sign

cute!

such a lovely bunch of cacti

By the time I walked home, this was what the sky was doing for me
I couldn't choose just one or two to include so you get them all

Back at the ‘ranch’ I made my tea and George came out to say goodbye before he left for a doctor’s appointment. We wished him well, in case he wasn’t back before we left and busied ourselves packing up. I made us poached eggs on toast again as it was quick and filling. After dishes, we got washed up and dressed. We were parked over the sewer dump spot so pulled slides in and Bill moved to the street so Rob could pull up and dump as well.

Getting things packed up

We finished up and parked at the end of the lane
so Rob could use the dumping facilities
Just like a full service campground!

George made it back on time and Rose came out to say goodbye. We got some pictures of us at the front of their house and Rob pulled out of the laneway at 9:10 am. Such a fun visit. We’ll see George and Rose after Christmas in Quartzsite and look forward to that. Travelling with us in the lead, we stuck to I-95S and drove through the scenic area of Parker Dam. Our brains weren’t working this morning and we forgot to bring Bill’s Dashcam into the truck after charging it. Duh!

The ladies

The whole Happy Campers crew
George, Pat, Patsy, Bill & Clemson, Rob, Rose

The rest of the 3-hour drive went smoothly and with a stop at Mcdonald’s in Parker and a break at the Yuma Proving Grounds, we arrived at the California Inspection Station. After hearing about a stop our friend had here and how particular the agents were by taking 2 apples, I was a little concerned. Do I tell the truth and lose my remaining apples or do we just say nothing? In 98% of the times we passed through here, we were just waved on.

Bill Williams River which runs from Alamo Lake

Such a beautiful drive

Then a guy flashed his lights at us so we slowed down
If you look close you can see why

We were grateful for the warning because around the bend was this mishap
blocking one lane

Familiar sights along our route

The Big Tent location
We'll be back

The blimp near Yuma Proving Grounds

Today, we probably would have been fine to just wave and carry on but Bill came to a stop (as the sign says) and the fellow looked friendly as if he wanted to talk to us. He wanted to make conversation about the license plate on Black Beauty. ‘“On our way” to where?’, he asked. So, we explained briefly and the question of do we have any fruit was posed. I crossed my fingers and just said no. I had 3 apples, 2 lemons and 3 key limes. Then we proceeded to ask for more info how much was allowed etc.

this cauliflower field has been freshly picked

And the workers walk this one to see if they've missed any

I couldn't get my zoom lens on quick enough to get
a good picture of this Osprey

We would have been fine anyway as he told us just enough for a couple of days is not usually a problem. They don't always (obviously) but tend to ‘look the other way’. He advised that a good practice is to buy Washington apples and you would be fine. Good to know. We don’t usually buy a lot of apples anyway so no biggie. 

Inspection Station - friendly guys

After a bit of a mix up (us waiting for Rob and Pat and them waiting for us) we arrived at Pilot Knob RV Resort.

Home sweet Home for a while

Sue in the office was very helpful and we got the sites we wanted and were set up by 2:30 with the exception of our satellite connection. For some reason, it was being tempermental and just wanted to take its time coming in on its own. I made us each a sandwich and we planned a later supper for tonight. I’d bought a roasted chicken at Smith’s the other day. Rose and I split the deal of 2 for $10, we couldn’t pass it up. So, we invited Rob and Pat to share it with us.

Happy hour!

And we think Clemson is small

That settled for 6 pm, we heard a couple of motorcycles nearing our site. Lori and Roland came in for a visit on their way home from shopping in Yuma. Oh, and of course little Shatzi. She looked adorable in her Santa coat and pink sunglasses on the back of Lori’s bike. 

Roland waiting to hear that Lori is ready

Lori and Shatzi are good to go too

They stayed for maybe an hour and we caught up on each other’s lives. Rob and Pat joined us at our insistence. They are family too. It was about 5:45 when our company arrived and I put some tossed garden salad into a bowl.

this view is so cute, with the little head twisting and turning each way
and her ears flopping

Rob and Pat brought wine and garlic rolls. What a lovely cheap meal tonight! And no real prep time and no one had to cook. We put the dishes in the dishwasher and sat around and finished the wine. 

The guys gave us the table and they shared the raised coffee table

It was a great meal and there are leftovers for another night
I added the bones to the freezer bag for soup

What a hoot, laughing and carrying on with these two. It was probably 7:30 when they went home, we were all pretty tired. This has been a great day, with a high of 70F/22C today and no wind at all. Absolutely perfect.

All settled on Sites 79 and 80

The night is young but after downloading my pictures, I could hardly keep my eyes open. I’ll need to finish this in the morning. I hope you’ve enjoyed your visit to my post.  Tomorrow is laundry day and we both have lots.

I appreciate you stopping by.

Thank you!