Today began with me leaping out of bed and then quickly realizing that was a mistake. The ankle still hurts, so it's crutches for another day.
So we basically lay around today. I did a bunch of email and played games on the computer. Jack did a plan for Pete and Karen's steps that he's going to build, probably without my help, unless I can get this danged ankle healed.
Then we went to the grocery and got supplies to make our soup. The grocery store was a challenge for me, just getting to it, and then we got me a little electric cart, which I zoomed around in, and that was actually kind of fun. Then it was a hobble back to the car.
Jack made a beef/barley soup which was delicious. (Do you folks want recipes when we make something good?) This was for the soup supper that the church held. Thirty-eight people were in attendance, and almost everything was delicious! Jack did get a scoop of a soup which neither of us liked.
We sat with Peggy, John, Nadine and George, and Norma -- a nice amiable group. Then it was a hobble back to the car. Jack and I decided that I get more exercise from that than from my everyday walks, anyway. Yeah.. about that everyday walk ... I did have to lay off from walking yesterday and today, unless you count that hobbling in 10-minute intervals. So my 7 year, 8 month streak without missing a day now has an asterisk. I fully intend to begin walking again when I'm able. Oh well... it had to happen at some point!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Madera Canyon
Today I awoke and lept out of bed, only to be tossed right back by the searing pain shooting through my ankle! Yikes! Jack and I showered and dressed and we headed off to the ER. Just a couple of hours later, I left there with a diagnosis (it's not broken.) a wrap, and a shiny new pair of crutches. I have to stumble around like that for just a couple of days, probably. Since this is my first time with crutches (I'm one of the lucky ones!), I had a hard time getting used to them, but I did not fall, anyway.
We went to The Good Egg where we enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast feast. Then we came home, got our pie, and Jack drove us to Madera Canyon. This is a pleasant drive, about 40 minutes, down Nogales Highway. The park is beautiful, about a mile high, in the Santa Rita mountains with alligator pinions, manzanitas, and beautiful golden grasses.
This lovely setting is where the Hiking Club held its end-of-year picnic, and, even though we did miss the hike in the Santa Ritas this morning, the camaraderie and food were quite wonderful. I was able to stumble around in the rocks and dirt with my crutches, and got to tell lots of people what had happened to me. Sheesh. Again, everyone loved my pie. Jack went around and gave pieces to some of our friends. :)
Ray, I forgot to tell you that the spot where I set Michael's ashes free actually DOES have antennas right there. As the highest spot on the highest mountain, there is an antenna farm right behind where I let the ashes go!
Annette, I do so hope that Steve has a speedy and complete recovery, and that you have a good sleep tonight!
And all of the rest of you in the east and north, I hope that you're keeping warm... and dry! This winter seems like one that will never end for you. And here I am with 72° and "severe clear" weather for the umpteenth day in a row!
We went to The Good Egg where we enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast feast. Then we came home, got our pie, and Jack drove us to Madera Canyon. This is a pleasant drive, about 40 minutes, down Nogales Highway. The park is beautiful, about a mile high, in the Santa Rita mountains with alligator pinions, manzanitas, and beautiful golden grasses.
This lovely setting is where the Hiking Club held its end-of-year picnic, and, even though we did miss the hike in the Santa Ritas this morning, the camaraderie and food were quite wonderful. I was able to stumble around in the rocks and dirt with my crutches, and got to tell lots of people what had happened to me. Sheesh. Again, everyone loved my pie. Jack went around and gave pieces to some of our friends. :)
Ray, I forgot to tell you that the spot where I set Michael's ashes free actually DOES have antennas right there. As the highest spot on the highest mountain, there is an antenna farm right behind where I let the ashes go!
Annette, I do so hope that Steve has a speedy and complete recovery, and that you have a good sleep tonight!
And all of the rest of you in the east and north, I hope that you're keeping warm... and dry! This winter seems like one that will never end for you. And here I am with 72° and "severe clear" weather for the umpteenth day in a row!
Monday, March 09, 2009
Picacho Peak
Last evening was the Michigan party, and Jack and I went. I took one of the cherry pies that I'd made, and it was enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to grab a slice. All the food was great, and everyone got their bellies full. After the meal, we heard music by the Tres Amigos, and that was fun as always.
This morning, we awoke early to the sound of rain! This rare event threatened to call off our hike today, but we decided to go ahead and go. This was a special hike up Picacho Peak -- one arranged by Pete to show his daughter Jennifer a good time during her visit.
The hike was, as always, super-challenging, but it was great fun. This is the group of us in a little cave on the mountain on the way up:
Here are some shots of me (with Jack) up on the top of the higher peak:
And here are some that I took of the higher peak from the 2nd peak. The others waited for me down lower, as I explored up high. Notice, in both of these, the men on the top of the peak!
Here are some pics of hikers going up one of the steeper areas using the cables:
Some time in the hot tub and now we're feeling great. Blood was shed by 5 of us, but it was just minor scrapes. :) Now my left ankle is killing me, but just when I ... stand on it or walk!
Here is a photo from a couple of weeks ago when I was leading the hike in Saguaro East:
This morning, we awoke early to the sound of rain! This rare event threatened to call off our hike today, but we decided to go ahead and go. This was a special hike up Picacho Peak -- one arranged by Pete to show his daughter Jennifer a good time during her visit.
The hike was, as always, super-challenging, but it was great fun. This is the group of us in a little cave on the mountain on the way up:
Here are some shots of me (with Jack) up on the top of the higher peak:
And here are some that I took of the higher peak from the 2nd peak. The others waited for me down lower, as I explored up high. Notice, in both of these, the men on the top of the peak!
Here are some pics of hikers going up one of the steeper areas using the cables:
Some time in the hot tub and now we're feeling great. Blood was shed by 5 of us, but it was just minor scrapes. :) Now my left ankle is killing me, but just when I ... stand on it or walk!Here is a photo from a couple of weeks ago when I was leading the hike in Saguaro East:
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Dance Club
Last evening, we had a dance, put on by our dance club. It was lots of fun, with snacks and wine and plenty of fine music. Jack and I tried to remember our dance steps, and just basically had a fine time. While I didn't take any pictures, some of our friends did, so we may get some copies I can post.
Today we went to church and then to the grocery, so I could get supplies for my cherry pies! Yep, I'm baking 2 of them today, and the house smells wonderful!
Jack is currently cleaning floors. While I'm quite good at cleaning other parts of the house, I really dislike doing floors. I think that he finally gave up on me. LOL!
Weather is warm here today, and cloudy. It almost feels like there is some humidity in the air, too, which is very unusual. A woman we talked to at Saguaro East ydy had been stung by a scorpion in her house. This is very early for scorpions to be out of their hidey holes! (I have never seen a scorpion in the wild.)
Today we went to church and then to the grocery, so I could get supplies for my cherry pies! Yep, I'm baking 2 of them today, and the house smells wonderful!
Jack is currently cleaning floors. While I'm quite good at cleaning other parts of the house, I really dislike doing floors. I think that he finally gave up on me. LOL!
Weather is warm here today, and cloudy. It almost feels like there is some humidity in the air, too, which is very unusual. A woman we talked to at Saguaro East ydy had been stung by a scorpion in her house. This is very early for scorpions to be out of their hidey holes! (I have never seen a scorpion in the wild.)
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Wallet Slalom
Today we got up very early (for me) and got all set to go bike riding with a group of folks from our church. We aired our tires, got the bikes loaded up, put water in our bottles, and we were off!
When we were just outside the gate, Jack's phone rang... from the back of the car. Thinking that it might be from Susan, the biking organizer, we stopped so that Jack could answer it. He went back there and got the phone and was calling Susan when he realized that his wallet was gone.
Had it fallen out back in the parking lot where we'd stopped? We turned around and went back. No wallet. There was a fellow walking through there and Jack thought that maybe he'd picked it up. Jack said lots of things that I rarely hear him say.
His whole life was in that wallet, he said. What would he do if it were really gone? He had no idea. Well, while we were there, I looked around inside the car and .. there it was -- under the little flip-up console table between the front seats. :)
The bike ride was fun, though challenging for me, since it'd been months since our last ride. We went from Susan's house up her street and to Melpomene and on to Old Spanish Trail to Saguaro East. After a short rest, we rode back, for a total of just over 8 miles. We went back to talk with Susan and Kathy at Susan's, before heading out again.
So then we went to go get some supplies at Basha's. We had just gotten over to the deli and were perusing the chicken salads, when Jack was paged! He went over to Customer Service and ... they had his wallet! It had evidently fallen from his pocket when he visited the men's room! Sheesh!
Sooo... when we got home, just after a yummy lunch of chicken salad, we each took out our wallet contents, laid them out on the scanner, and printed out an image of what was in there. Then we turned everything over and did the back, too!
What would you do if you lost your wallet? Would you know everything that was in there? Go now and do what we did. And *don't* put the copy in your wallet!
When we were just outside the gate, Jack's phone rang... from the back of the car. Thinking that it might be from Susan, the biking organizer, we stopped so that Jack could answer it. He went back there and got the phone and was calling Susan when he realized that his wallet was gone.
Had it fallen out back in the parking lot where we'd stopped? We turned around and went back. No wallet. There was a fellow walking through there and Jack thought that maybe he'd picked it up. Jack said lots of things that I rarely hear him say.
His whole life was in that wallet, he said. What would he do if it were really gone? He had no idea. Well, while we were there, I looked around inside the car and .. there it was -- under the little flip-up console table between the front seats. :)
The bike ride was fun, though challenging for me, since it'd been months since our last ride. We went from Susan's house up her street and to Melpomene and on to Old Spanish Trail to Saguaro East. After a short rest, we rode back, for a total of just over 8 miles. We went back to talk with Susan and Kathy at Susan's, before heading out again.
So then we went to go get some supplies at Basha's. We had just gotten over to the deli and were perusing the chicken salads, when Jack was paged! He went over to Customer Service and ... they had his wallet! It had evidently fallen from his pocket when he visited the men's room! Sheesh!
Sooo... when we got home, just after a yummy lunch of chicken salad, we each took out our wallet contents, laid them out on the scanner, and printed out an image of what was in there. Then we turned everything over and did the back, too!
What would you do if you lost your wallet? Would you know everything that was in there? Go now and do what we did. And *don't* put the copy in your wallet!
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Chillin'
Today was fun. I got up just in time to go for our walk before breakfast and getting set for choir practice. We sounded great today and we're going to sound even better by the time the concert comes around.
After that, I went and helped Jack finish up the laundry. Then it was time for lunch and errands. We went to a new place for lunch -- Zona 78 -- and enjoyed a sumptious lunch. We got the special, which was farfalle pasta with vegetables in a wine-butter sauce. It was served with delicious bread. Yum! We will return.
It was my day to drive and I enjoyed doing that, as we did some prowling around, ending at the grocery.
When we returned to the park, we saw Pete and Janet had guests, and they invited us over. So we returned the car to our place and took the bikes down there. Marguerite and Ann and Evan were there, along with Katy and Ken -- fun group! :)
Now we're just chillin', sorting out photos of the play and watching HGTV House Hunters.
After that, I went and helped Jack finish up the laundry. Then it was time for lunch and errands. We went to a new place for lunch -- Zona 78 -- and enjoyed a sumptious lunch. We got the special, which was farfalle pasta with vegetables in a wine-butter sauce. It was served with delicious bread. Yum! We will return.
It was my day to drive and I enjoyed doing that, as we did some prowling around, ending at the grocery.
When we returned to the park, we saw Pete and Janet had guests, and they invited us over. So we returned the car to our place and took the bikes down there. Marguerite and Ann and Evan were there, along with Katy and Ken -- fun group! :)
Now we're just chillin', sorting out photos of the play and watching HGTV House Hunters.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Cast Party
The show is over now! The second night was tonight, and it went just as well as the first. Many people have told us that this was the best show that our park has put on in their memory. Several people came up to me and Bob (the little old man), and told us that our part was their favorite part of the whole show.
So afterwards, we had the reception for the audience, and then they cleared the 200+ chairs out of the Fiesta Room and set up tables and food for our cast party! The food was really good -- sandwich makings, cold vegetables (lots of great ones), and fruit and cake to dip in chocolate fondue! Jack was applauded for his splendid job as director, and he, in turn, thanked all of us for being such a fine cast.
Another important happening of today was that we went and updated our car insurance. I had to get my CRV registered in AZ, and I did that, too. Things cost much more here.
Before that, we went to La Mesa RV for their free hotdog/hamburger lunch. We also looked at some new and small RV's. We really liked the Gulfstream VistaCruiser. It has the same engine as mine (but newer), a great floorplan much like that of Michael's and my LazyDaze, and a slideout, expanding the floorspace significantly.
Oh.. and before that, I cooked breakfast: pancakes with strawberry compote! Boy was that good! :)
So afterwards, we had the reception for the audience, and then they cleared the 200+ chairs out of the Fiesta Room and set up tables and food for our cast party! The food was really good -- sandwich makings, cold vegetables (lots of great ones), and fruit and cake to dip in chocolate fondue! Jack was applauded for his splendid job as director, and he, in turn, thanked all of us for being such a fine cast.
Another important happening of today was that we went and updated our car insurance. I had to get my CRV registered in AZ, and I did that, too. Things cost much more here.
Before that, we went to La Mesa RV for their free hotdog/hamburger lunch. We also looked at some new and small RV's. We really liked the Gulfstream VistaCruiser. It has the same engine as mine (but newer), a great floorplan much like that of Michael's and my LazyDaze, and a slideout, expanding the floorspace significantly.
Oh.. and before that, I cooked breakfast: pancakes with strawberry compote! Boy was that good! :)
Showtime!
Today was a great day! We began the day with breakfast and then our hike. This one was the Wild Horse Trail in Saguaro East. It wasn't a difficult hike by any stretch of the imagination, but it was fine. I took a few photos, none of which I've looked at yet. Because our leader had a doctor's appointment and some of the others of us had a show to put on, we did a short hike, arriving back home at about 12:30.
We did a little computer work and then did some shopping, getting poster board so that Jack could put up the photos that he had taken of our dress rehearsal.
Then it was time to get ready for the show. I showered and assembled my clothes, and went to the dressing room, where everyone was getting made-up and dressing. We arrived at staggered times, so that we were not all there at the same time. I got made up for my "Gold Digger" role first. Some pacing around and then it was time to go on as the first guest on "Johnny Carson."
The audience was great! We got applause for appearing, for singing, and then for our bow! We did well, singing backup for Ken's "Memories are made of this."
Then I headed back into makeup, where Marian readied me as Gladys Orensbee from Laugh-In. Here are some shots of me from Dress Rehearsal:
It was lots of fun doing Gladys tonight, and the audience was appreciative! After the show, we all went over to the Arizona Room for cookies and punch, and members of the audience came over to this reception, too. Many people told us that this was the best production that this park has seen.. ever! Maybe they say that every year, but ... then this WAS a fun production, for all concerned!
Jack and I were relaxing with popcorn after i took off all the makeup, when Ione came over and pounded on our door, inviting us to their house for an impromptu party! :) We went and had fun talking to all the people about how cool the show was!
We did a little computer work and then did some shopping, getting poster board so that Jack could put up the photos that he had taken of our dress rehearsal.
Then it was time to get ready for the show. I showered and assembled my clothes, and went to the dressing room, where everyone was getting made-up and dressing. We arrived at staggered times, so that we were not all there at the same time. I got made up for my "Gold Digger" role first. Some pacing around and then it was time to go on as the first guest on "Johnny Carson."
The audience was great! We got applause for appearing, for singing, and then for our bow! We did well, singing backup for Ken's "Memories are made of this."
Then I headed back into makeup, where Marian readied me as Gladys Orensbee from Laugh-In. Here are some shots of me from Dress Rehearsal:
It was lots of fun doing Gladys tonight, and the audience was appreciative! After the show, we all went over to the Arizona Room for cookies and punch, and members of the audience came over to this reception, too. Many people told us that this was the best production that this park has seen.. ever! Maybe they say that every year, but ... then this WAS a fun production, for all concerned!Jack and I were relaxing with popcorn after i took off all the makeup, when Ione came over and pounded on our door, inviting us to their house for an impromptu party! :) We went and had fun talking to all the people about how cool the show was!
Monday, March 02, 2009
Goodbye Again
Today began with my complaining about all the stuff scattered around. (Seems that I do that a lot!) We took a few minutes casting things out and about, put things away, and then we were neat and tidy again.
It occurred to me that I had a cabinet in my tiny kitchen that has been dedicated to storing Michael's ashes. Well, that didn't make any sense to me today, so I decided that we would take a little trip with the ashes.
We went up the Catalina Highway, up to the very tippy top of Mt. Lemmon. Michael had wanted his ashes to be on top of one of the many peaks around Tucson, and Mt. Lemmon is the highest.
So after a fine luncheon at the Iron Door, we drove up the private (and closed) road up past the Ski Lodge to the top of the mountain and then hiked the short path to this place overlooking the whole city, smelling of tall Ponderosa pines and fresh cool air. And this is where I set Michael's ashes free at last.
After a quiet moment, we drove on to the Cookie Shack, where we shared a peanut butter cookie before driving back down to Tucson.
We got all set for our dance class ... and then got over to the clubhouse to discover that the lesson was canceled for this evening. :/ Ah well... so we are just chilling this evening. I got the food ready for tomorrow's hiking, and we're just resting.
No car incidents since we installed our camera, by the way. :)
It occurred to me that I had a cabinet in my tiny kitchen that has been dedicated to storing Michael's ashes. Well, that didn't make any sense to me today, so I decided that we would take a little trip with the ashes.
We went up the Catalina Highway, up to the very tippy top of Mt. Lemmon. Michael had wanted his ashes to be on top of one of the many peaks around Tucson, and Mt. Lemmon is the highest.
So after a fine luncheon at the Iron Door, we drove up the private (and closed) road up past the Ski Lodge to the top of the mountain and then hiked the short path to this place overlooking the whole city, smelling of tall Ponderosa pines and fresh cool air. And this is where I set Michael's ashes free at last.
After a quiet moment, we drove on to the Cookie Shack, where we shared a peanut butter cookie before driving back down to Tucson.We got all set for our dance class ... and then got over to the clubhouse to discover that the lesson was canceled for this evening. :/ Ah well... so we are just chilling this evening. I got the food ready for tomorrow's hiking, and we're just resting.
No car incidents since we installed our camera, by the way. :)
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Dress Rehearsal
Today was a fine day! We got up early and readied ourselves unhurriedly for church. There's Bible study before church and I always enjoy that. After church, we went to The Good Egg, where Jack feasted on a Skillet Breakfast and I loved my pancake with chocolate chips, strawberries, and walnuts!
We came home and changed clothes before going off in search of a better solution to the security situation. We ended up with one from Walmart which has better resolution and seems to work well. After going for a night with our car remaining unmolested, we're hopeful that just having the camera will do the trick for us.
Tonight was dress rehearsal for our play, and it went swimmingly. After that, at just after 10 pm, we went for our walk around the park. It's 70° and a beautiful starry night after a warm day. A dinner of leftover ribs from Texas Roadhouse was delish! We're going to let our food digest a bit before hitting the rack!
We came home and changed clothes before going off in search of a better solution to the security situation. We ended up with one from Walmart which has better resolution and seems to work well. After going for a night with our car remaining unmolested, we're hopeful that just having the camera will do the trick for us.
Tonight was dress rehearsal for our play, and it went swimmingly. After that, at just after 10 pm, we went for our walk around the park. It's 70° and a beautiful starry night after a warm day. A dinner of leftover ribs from Texas Roadhouse was delish! We're going to let our food digest a bit before hitting the rack!
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