terrific Tuesday

Sometime, Maxine just says it better. :-)

Well, I even made it to line dancing class. Kathy made it, too, for her first class. We had a lot of "babies" this morning. I adopted Sylvia (pic) from BC. Actually, Lorraine kind of drafted me to be Sylvia's "mama," but Marlene came in and rescued me. Here's Lorraine Frank, instructing. By George, Barbara's got it! On my way over to Women's Bible Study, I took this pic of some gents tossing 'shoes. Such a nice day for it. Still a smidgeon of chill in the air.After Bible study, I'm getting hungry, so I head toward the house, strolling down our street. I arrived at site #96. Notice the nice rock I painted with our site number.Don is making tuna salad. Lunch being not quite ready, he sent me to deliver plate & cake cover back to Vi. We have thoroughly enjoyed the spice cake with coconut icing she made. I found Mel & Vi in the floor... repairing their water filter. Here it is .... Mel (big TarHeel & Vols fan) working at home, documented. After the delicious lunch Don prepared, we played Farkle. I am reluctant to report that he took me to Farkle school.... FOUR times. Enough torture. I suggested we go check on George. We visited with George & Josephine for a while. Remember, they are from my home county in Texas, so we had a good time talking about things we have in common. From there we passed Robin, Neil and Bruno's place. Neil was out washing the car so we stopped and visited with them. I'll take Bruno's picture next time... really cute pugle (pug-beagle). Barbara came out and we all had a good visit. Neil paid Don a really nice compliment which he really appreciated. Thank you, Neil. Robin gave us some lemons fresh off her daddy's tree and fresh halibut from Alaska. Neil works 2 weeks on/2 off in Alaska. Notice how big these lemons are. Thanks Robin!On the walk back home, we found Dave polishing is 5th wheel. Bill Greene came out and visited with Don.. they're leaving in the morning.

We watched the OU/KU basketball game last night. The Sooners and I have something in common today. We know what it feels like to LOSE.

Tonight we watched Baylor beat OSU. Yeah! Bears! They are now 2-0 in conference play.

Monday

Mornings are Don's favorite part of the day. He has more energy and gets out and meets and greets the folks in the park. Today being Monday morning, he had Men's Bible Study. I told him he needs to start taking the camera with him when he's walking around chatting with folks. We'll see how that works out. huh?


Don found out that Rod Barger, gentleman living alone here in the park with severe chronic emphysema, has been moved to the local nursing home. Joyce in the office called us with Rod's new address, so we will be visiting him in the near future.


Don loves to check out the new and or unusual rigs that arrive in the park. This is where the camera would come in handy.


And then there's poor George Becker. He's down with a bad cold and feeling really lousy. Don came home and I mixed George up a dose of MMS for Don to take to him. And then another dose an hour later. And another dose this evening.



Check out "Your Dash" under favorite findings in the menu on the right. This was sent to Don by daughter Stephanie because she had heard him speak on this. He did indeed... at his dad's funeral. It's tremendous. Thank you, Stephanie. This is beautiful.



I spent too long on the computer this morning, so Don went to Casa Grande without me. His truck is dirty and if you know Don, he can't stand his truck being dirty. He also makes calls to his mom, daughter and others while he's out and in cell service range. Did he take the camera with him? Of course not.

In fact, I didn't even get out of the house today. Just one of those stay in days. It's rather windy outside. Was a good day for just thinking and talking to the Lord. And my mind wandered to childhood and how I never had an imaginary friend. My thought is that maybe it's spiritually healthy because you grow up being familiar with talking to and listening to someone you can't see. So when adulthood comes, it's not so unusual to talk to and listen to God. Makes sense to me. Even so, I have a wonderful time with the Lord. That's just the vein my mind took.

Don found two New York strip steaks on sale the other day so he grilled them for dinner. Oh my. They were delicious. No restaurant anywhere can grill a steak better than he can. So tender and yummy.

Now we are going to watch the OU Sooners play the KU Jayhawks .. basketball. See you tomorrow.

Sunday is here -

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! to my first grandchild. Lydia is ten years old today!! I love you, Sweetie.

Sundays are always great here at Quail Run. We get to meet new people every Sunday in worship service. Today we met Bill Greene, a retired mortician, and his wife, from Gilmer, Texas. Now Gilmer is not too far from Kaufman, Texas where I raised my girls and lived for 25 years. Bill was a delightful fellow. Too bad they on their way to Quartsite and will be leaving this week.

Today was the first Sunday the Quail Run worship team led the congregation in singing. The team consists of JoAnne Miller, Rick Fury, myself, & Jeannie Budd. Pianist is Audra Robb (picture in Friday's post). Thanks, Wendy Fury, for taking the picture. After to church we went to Duffer's out at the golf course and had brunch with Shelley & Bud Wright (Michigan), Sharon & Tom Stevenson (Oregon), & Frieda & Gary Nottingham (Oklahoma). We had a delightful time.

Today was not a good football day for Don. The Colts got beat and then the Cowboys got beat. In between games, we walked over to the Cantina for ice cream. Along the way, we stopped and chatted with Bert Case (nice hat, Bert) and his neighbors. Marlene is serving strawberries over my ice cream, of course. Tonight, David Burge gave a nice country gospel concert. David & his wife, Sally, live in Casa Grande. Here he chats with a delightful lady who introduced herself to me, but she didn't have her name tag on and I forgot her name. My apologies.

Saturday with Rick & Wendy

Audra, JoAnne, Rick, Jeanne and I met in the Carnaval Room at 9:00 a.m. to practice songs for tomorrow's worship service. That took about 45 minutes.

Afterwards, we rode with Rick & Wendy Fury to Tucson to the Big Pig celebration at Beaudry's RV Sales. Salesman Jason Soutaert spotted us right off and spent most of the day trying really hard to sell us a new 5th wheel. Rick spent most of the day harrassing salesmen. "Buy it or I'll jump!" I told you, he tried really hard. When Rick grows up, we all hope his feet will reach the floor when he sits down. He won't be able to buy this $400K rig until they do. (Of course I put it in the blog.) We enjoyed the free BBQ and live music. We saw/heard Tom Chestnut and Rusty Terry again. It's always fun to look at the new RV's. Thanks again, Rick & Wendy, for inviting us to ride with ya'll.

Prayer requests...

Daughter, LaNae, called yesterday. Her hubby's Nana (grandmother) passed away Thursday morning. She had had a massive stroke the Saturday before. Mike has experienced more than the average amount of grief in the past few years. To say the least, he's a bit overwhelmed. He and LaNae will be traveling to Missouri soon. Please pray for him at this time and them as they travel. This is the only picture of Mike & LaNae that I have on this computer. Isn't he just too handsome. I am so proud of him. He's not only a wonderful husband and father, he's also a Captain in the Air Force and serves our great country with patriotic pride. Our hearts are breaking for him. Thank you for you prayers.

[For more about life here at Quail Run, I highly suggest you visit Quinn's Awesome Journey and Hoover's Happenings... links in the menu on the right. The Quinn's, as you know, are our wonderful neighbors on the right (don't ask me what direction it is) and the Hoover's are the Activities Directors. Bob & Snookie also work in Activities, so they both post wonderfully regarding the goings-on around here.]

A skin specialist came to the park today to do free cancer skin testing. Our appointment was at 12:45. As expected, the doctor and her entourage was late. So there was a room full of us waiting at the same time. We sat at the table with Darlene, Dave & Audra Robb. Got a great picture of Audra, our pianist for Sunday worship. Jayshri Gamoth, MD from West Dermatology did the screening... very personable: "I'm not only a care taker of the skin, but a care taker of people. My favorite part of practicing mdeicine is the opportunity I have to interact with my patients on a personal level." I passed the test with "all clear." Don, on the other hand, has an area on his temple and another on his back that the doc said needed further looking into. So, immediately after we left the screening, we found the VA clinic in Casa Grande and got the ball rolling. We'll call back Monday after they've entered all of his info in the computer in Tuscon. They will check him out at the Casa Grande clinic, but if anythings needs to be removed, that will be done in Tuscon. Keep him in your prayers.

While we were out, I called our friends in Sun City again. Cheri answered the phone and seemed a little disoriented. When I asked, how she was, she said that Tom (her husband) is in the hospital waiting to be scheduled for open heart surgery. Something to do with a valve not functioning properly and possibly an infection in the heart. Cheri promised she would email us as soon as she knows time of surgery and details. We met Tom & Cheri while in Branson last summer. They were workampers at the KOA there and just terrific friends and encouragers. Prayer for them will be greatly appreciated.

Friday night... date night. We ate out and then came back to the park to play cards with Dave & Darlene.

Lots on our hearts and minds.

THANK YOU, NEIGHBORS!

I have tried four times to add this post to yesterday's post and every time I've lost it out into cyber la la land when I saved or published post, so I will just add a new post.


A great big THANK YOU, to wonderful neighbors and friends, Bob Quinn and Dave Sutton. Bob and Snookie live right next door and Dave & Darlene are parked across the street. Bob and Dave roll out our huge 24' awning yesterday to allow it to dry out after the 2 days of rain. This chore is something Don is unable to do because it requires having his arms above his head and it's very heavy and awkward. We are very grateful to Bob and Dave for doing chore for us and very grateful to God for placing us among such good, generous and helpful folks. Thanks again, guys!!



Today was a quiet one for me. Don, on the other hand, was all over the place today, visiting with park residents while I practiced singing with the worship team, did laundry and tried to line dance. It seems I have two left feet, more than usual today. So I just resorted to taking a video of the class.

Mama called and she's all packed to make her flight to Plainview and Uncle Grady's tomorrow. Prayers requested for safety, good health and a wonderful time with sister and brother.

Tonight, we walked up to the Carnaval Room while folks were gathering to play bingo. Over in the Cantina, there was a table of Pegs & Jokers going. Don got us a root beer float... because we NEED it and we visited with friends and then walked home.

I've read my round of blogs and now we're watching a Hallmark movie. Love the Hallmark channel.

Sunday's Coming

Don sent out his "Sunday's Coming" this morning. I've linked it here for you to enjoy. It's very good. Just click on "Sunday's Coming."

Mama called this morning, thank God. I had called her several times on the cell phone yesterday while we were out of the park, but didn't get her. She had gone to the doctor and got some antibiotics for whatever ails her. She never did tell me what the doc said she has, but doc did assure her that she would be able to fly on Friday. Wow! some pills, huh? More accurately stated, Mama will be able to ride in a flying airplane on Friday. She also went to see an attorney to find out if the will she had prepared in Texas is still binding in Oklahoma. The attorney said that it is. Mama has been getting all her "important" information organized so it will be easy to locate and getting everything in order. (shudder) The attorney is a friend of Don's in Noble, OK and Mama really liked her. I always appreciate professionals who are nice to my mom. This picture was taken of Mama Trudy with granddaughter Leslie (my oldest), and great-grandchildren (Leslie's prodigy) last May. Mama Trudy will be 90 on June 26.





Don and I both talked to daughters while we were outside the park today. It's always wonderful to hear their voices. Stephanie & Rick are talking about flying out to see us for a long weekend soon, so we've got our fingers crossed that this happens. Rick LOVES to play golf, so the odds are in our favor.

We went to Target today to get birthday cards for two granddaughters, Lydia and Kristina. Lydia will be 10 and Kristina will be 17. My how time flies.

While we were in Casa Grande, Don took me to a really neat restaurant, BeDillon's Cactus Garden & Museum, 800 N. Park Ave., Casa Grande, AZ just off Florence Ave to the right. There's a museum out back by the patio & garden. A dead Saguaro cactus stands by the entrance to the porch. This is part of the front lawn at BeDillon's. Don's stomach is growling so I'll take more pictures after lunch. Works for us. It also comes with broccoli cheese soup with bacon bits and was deeelicioso. Actual, the soup came first. The entire meal was very, very tasty. Taylor, our waitress. They always smile when they bring you the check. She really was a sweetie. Afterward, we asked about the museum. The owner came out back and unlocked it for us, stating that the roof had leaked and it needed airing out anyway. It was actually a couple of rooms with all kind of all things. I will just let the pictures speak for themselves. We looked around as long as we could until the musty smell forced us to go outside in the fresh air. The first thing I saw was this organ. Hardly anything in this "museum" is labeled or explained. This place would be a historians dream (or nightmare). There were two of the old indian drums hanging from the ceiling. From what tribe? Someone somewhere knows.

If these artifacts could talk... then we'd know where they came from. Stating the obvious: a really old typewriter.

Really old kitchen utensils. I would say that is a potato masher on the left. Really old barbed wire.O groovey ... a label. The label says that a hunter came upon two buck deer who had been fighting but their horns became entangled. When the hunter found them one of the buck was already dead and the hunter had to shoot the other one. Even with both animals dead, he could not unlock the horns so he had to cut the horns off. Horns are still locked. Really old rifles. One really, really old. Really old arrowheads. Hmmm... guess there are no new arrowheads. Well, I don't want to insult this wild hog and say he's really old, but I can safely say he's really ugly and mean looking. I wonder if this is a razorback hog are just a wild hog? Is there a difference? You can't tell from this picture, but this is a really small coyote. Kind of cute. He could be a fox. Has a very bushy tail. Here kitty, kitty, kitty. If I were a betting person, my money would be on the "cat"... not the "dog." I declare, this is the strangest collection of stuff I've seen in a long time. We have here a really old camera. Not that old, I guess. I think I remember camera's looking like this in my lifetime. OK, it's really old. Click on this picture and on the larger picture you can read "saw tooth shark" written in red on whatever this is. OK, we've got to get outside. Back in the garden patio area, this is a Boojoom tree. The owner spelled it this way, but the website spells it Boojum. He said it is actually a tree and is found only in Mexico. There were two in this garden. He said he had three of them but one of them died. It was over 200 years old. They grow an inch a year so this one is over 100 years old. And they have sharp thorns. Here's a close-up of the trunk and how strange the branches look growing our to the trunk. Interesting. Not being from the desert, all of the different cactii really fascinate me. "The kiss of the sun for pardon. The song of the birds for mirth. One is nearer to God's heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth." A hitching post.