TIME FLIES BY WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN...

I’ve heard from many of you that  I have been negligent in “blogging” since our arrival in AZ (at our winter home) on Oct 16th.  It’s not because of lack of activities - it’s more like lack of energy after all the fun!!!  So here we go… a photographic  journal to bring things up-to-date!!!

Our first evening out on the deck...

The next week we were busy in the yard and as I was
pruning the Palo Verde Tree, I discovered this rattlesnake
asleep 

under the "Fairy Duster" plant at the base of the tree...
Don to the rescue with shovel in hand.

More shopping to finish our decorating - Photographer Greg Libby
(a local artist) provided us with the answer to decorating
this large 12' wall with ugly storage cupboards!!!

This is a photograph on aluminum (light weight, easy to move)
and captures a winter view of the Superstition Mountains
where Don has spent hours geocaching and I hiking!!!

Greg quickly installed the 48" x 90" photo we selected from
his portfolio.  And it take on a life of it's own with the changing light.

This Javelin came into the back yard just prior to dusk to
check out my metal sculptures that looked like family members.

and friends Chic & Ingrid, from home, stopped by a couple of
days for some Pickleball and Sunsets.

A week later Susan and Breck Viley (a long term weaving
friend from Sacramento) stopped by on their way home
from a 6 week West to East Coast trip...

"Happy Hours" are held every Mon, Wed and Thur
(free beer and wine) so friends can touch base, dance to
live music and make more friends.
This is our 10th winter here.
Lots of friends to catch up with...

And don't let anyone tell you that 175 people can't keep a secret.  We all did for the
wedding reception for Liz and Karol who were married under the same sex marriage laws passed in Minnesota this past year.  They've been together for 14 years.

We owed friends Rod & Marge (Templeton CA) a sunset.

so Don and I ordered up this one

for their enjoyment.  What a back yard view...

Marge and I pose in front of the "purple" Superstition Mtns.,

while Rod and Don wave from the deck.

A fun evening was had by all at the Cowboy Poetry concert
at the resort next door.  Ron on the right is a pickleball friend of
mine and Mike Dunn has written and recorded many beautiful
poems.  Google him for more info...

A little time was left for gardening
as we transplanted "baby cactus"
that hatched next to their parents in the yard.

And I'm back in the Mosaic/Glass class, this
time making some stained glass china cabinet door replacements.

You'll see the final versions in a
later blog...one sandhill crane, another
a great white pelican and the third a bald eagle.

These beautiful pickleball trophies passed us by,
but mixed doubles partner Mike & I
managed to come in 4th in this "open age group"
event.  Our youngest competitors were 19 and 20
and Mike and I were the oldest team...

I finally received my gold from the Nevada
Senior Games - I played in 75+ category!!!

Sunsets continue to brighten  every evening...

Then brother Glen and sister-in-law Ginny arrived.

After lunch by the pool we headed for Canyon Lake

and one of our favorite vistas - Fish Creek Canyon.

It's a beautiful 45 minute drive up into the mountains...

 a miniature Grand Canyon.

And a quick dinner at the famous Tortilla Flats

gives one other things to do... The ladies room
provides dancing girl stall doors!!!

This place is open 365 days a year.

After a few more sunsets, geocaching, riding our bikes and visiting
with friends as they arrive in the park we welcomed

Pal and Fritz 's arrival (from Meadow Vista - near Colfax) and
got  in some  pickleball, visiting and enjoyed a late lunch by the pool.

At our small "tournament" the next day (44 players), Pal finished
1st in the Gold Division of the Intermediate category with Fritz
taking a close second.   I managed to get 1st in the Silver Division
and had the distinction of being the oldest player on the courts!!!
Whew - What a Life.  So that's why you haven't heard much from us.