January 31st already, that was fast.

     Our fun day at the Naked Date Farm 

Some months just zoom by, this one looking back just a blink and done, so fast. Less than two months and we'll be traveling home again. Will be a fun trip I'm sure, we'll have Polly's sister Lyn with us, be a treat for all of us traveling together ❤️ 

February now, 14th always a card, maybe a nice dinner out, I never know. Something fun for sure. I remember in San Carlos we went for a romantic dinner, was in a restaurant right by the water, was beautiful in the day time, but completely black at night, so was nice, but a bit of a let down as dark, no views lol. 

Polly is very excited for Lyn to come stay awhile with us, they are really close. Polly wants to show Lyn this, go here, go there, I'm thinking Lyn will want to sit by the pool, and enjoy the warm here. Be nice to have them both playing cards, and cursing each other lol. 

We will take a trip to San Diego, maybe Tuscon, or Phoenix for a trip to see 👀 some of the city. Maybe Tombstone,  never know, a month will go by fast I'm sure, as this one has. 

Funny how we have managed to have many plans, then as the time passes, we let go some of them, as not really as important as we thought. Today Wednesday,  we don't play poker today,  so a break. This weekend we have a tournament on Saturday,  so busy weekend. Might go to the date place again Sunday, not sure, see how the weekend goes, the Yuma Market always a draw on Sunday too. 

Relaxed weekend I'm thinking, as after the poker tournament, we'll be pokered out till Monday. 😀  

Our pickup, Rambo has been in my thoughts much lately, it's still at the shop, diagnosis is coming along, seems along time, but I hope they will know before they go into it exactly what's wrong. I talked with him "Flash" he's the owner says 36 electrical tests to do for what it's doing,  so they going to do these, and then valvebody, and his kit, will call back with final price I'm thinking on Thursday. Two weeks today, and really nothing done is how I'm seeing it, but I'm in this far, let's see what he can do. I want it fixed,  and correctly.  

We have a loaner, what can I say. We have no long trips planned. But! Lol, always a but. 

I drink my last bit of coffee ☕️,  Polly's up now,  we watch the humming birds come, feed, and go, our entertainment early,  they come at first light for their coffee ☕️ to start. 

 It's very still this morning,  tomorrow calls for a little rain, but today be very nice. Pool day I'm thinking for me.

Just got a message from Ciara wishing she could be here, spend a day by the pool with us. No genie in a lamp to rub to get here. 😢  have to wait till we get closer. That is one thing about snowbird life, you just can't bring all your family and friends with you, at least we can message, and live chat once in awhile.  

I talked with Penny this morning too, she's always got something interesting going on. 

Tomorrow we turn the calendar to February, one month into 2024. Deep freeze over, springs on the way, soon we'll be saying,  Wow,  that was a fast summer 🤣😆

Life goes on, one moment at a time. 

Love ❤️ our life!

Sunday Funday! Everyday

              Polly looking so Polly! ❤️

We always have a loose knit plan, sometimes it changes, sometimes we change it, and sometimes it's changed and we adapt. This Sunday we will go to the grocery store, early, buy what we need for the week, our truck is still in the shop, tomorrow I'm thinking I'll go there and find out what's going on? I got a call from them last Tuesday asking about what had been done to the transmission. I left all the bills with them, and he had them, so he knew what had been done. We talked for a long time, 15min, still all I got was we need 3 hours for testing. Will call back when we have the problem diagnosed,  with what needs to be done, and what it will cost. 

I called Thursday, the secretary says, "he hasn't got back to it yet". Been over a week now,  still no info yet. I wake this morning thinking about this, one thing that bothers me is no information about what's going on. I understand they're busy, but wow. I have never delt with this kind of outfit before. Usually if you get a loaner car the garage wants it back quickly, and does the work right away. Not here, they seem to have a much different way of operating. We have had the loaner for over a week now. 

Patience, not my strong suit, but I'm working on it, as I laugh to myself now, well at least we have a loaner. 

We played in a cribbage tournament yesterday, was a little stressful, but after the talking and shuffling and loud sounds finished we came out 3rd place, and $80 ahead. Was a fun time, and we played really good, only lost one game by 13 points, out of 6 we played. People only got quiet for the prize announcements.

 While playing the noise level was up, as everyone was talking getting to know each other. You see every game, a different couple was your competition, so always, "HI my name is, and where are you from? Where are you staying? I know this person from where you're from, do you know this person." Always trying for connection, as we talk and play the game. 

It's not exactly the same each time, but somewhat, and always something to learn. A couple from New Mexico told me of friend's of their's are from Vancouver Island, Crofton, so during a break I had to go over and say Hi, and get to know them a bit, I'm sure we would have much to talk about, as we did with the people from New Mexico. 

We played two guys from Saskatchewan twice, as we lost a game, and they joined us again. I only remember one couples names. Dixie was her name, the most different name I had heard that day, her husband Bill called her Dix, that's what got me looking at her name tag. We had a really good conversation with them, the are a little younger, and not completely retired yet, farmers from Wyoming, and had their son and brother in law holding the business down as they spent the winter here. 

Interesting how much you learn about people as you played the games, your automatically in each other's face, so talk comes very easy, at least it does to me. We immediately have much in common,  retired, at the same park, or across from each other, from different places, that gets really interesting, so much to yak about when we learn where people are from, immediately we try to figure where that is in relation to a place close that we have been to, or a place we know. 

Funny how we do this each time, but just a little different, always searching for connection. 

We had a really nice potluck dinner after,  so much food, really good food. We sat with another couple that we play poker with, Charlie & Carmen, we know them from poker, but not real good. Our talk over lunch/dinner was good, got to know each other a little better. We talked about spiders and snakes,🕷🐍 and our fears, always fun subjects. Oh, and of course our grandchildren. They are from New York, not the city, but the state. Was really nice to get to know them better. We have an invite to play some card games with them and others tonight, at 6:30. Be fun I'm sure.

Just starting to get light out now,  was an early getup this morning, even though we didn't get to bed till late. I thought we might join a group at karaoke 🎤 last night, but the big dinner put me to sleep once I got home, I ate really big. 😋  so a movie later, and done we were. 

We do enjoy the TV,  and the time we just sit beside each other, not doing much, just taking it easy. 

Lol I hear Polly now moving about,  7:11 and Sunday now begins. I think I'll take an early walk about,  see the sun come up this morning from a different place.  

Choices, we all have them. Polly went back to bed, still too dark for her lol. 

Love ❤️ our life.

Mondays a good day to reflect.

        Fields on the way to RV show 

Mornings always best for me, I'm usually full of ideas, and energy early and Mondays are the start of another week. Today no big plans, Poker at our sister resort Fortuna de Oro with many we have grown close to over the last few years, and everyday we play we are getting to know them better. 

One of the players, Duane came over yesterday for a vist, was nice to have a yak with him, Polly and I sat and talked with Duane. He was calm, different than at poker, he gets excited at poker, so many people, so much going on. 

When we first came to Fortuna it was Duane that kept us in the loop about tournaments, he also invited us to continue playing. Other friends Jim and Sharon, they helped introduce us to many games out and about in Yuma, we don't travel around too much though, as we are not up to playing too often, 4 afternoon's a week is really enough for us. 

Entertaining and fun, that's what we like,  as well as competitive play, even if only small bets. 😉  That's our main entertainment here, along with dances, and pool time, we are not too ambitious.

We went with friends Darcy & Pat to the RV Show in Quartzsite on Saturday, was a great day to go, as no rain, and warm out. We picked up a new TV box, has all we need for Programs, & Movies on it, that's something we like to do watch TV at night. Like I said, not too ambitious. 

Polly also got a hat for our grandson Colton,  he'll love I'm sure. ❤️

  No other big purchases. Lots of sales people, all trying to sell you everything that has to do with RVing. We have most everything we need already. Still was fun to go. 

Yesterday I went for a walk to get water, we have to buy water, as the water here from the tap has so much mineral in it. On the way home I stopped and visited with Ivo & Patti, & Patti's brother Andrew,  they were next door with friends in a tent, so I sat down for vist.  The friends were from Alberta,  but the guy Frank, grew up in Victoria, BC, born in Royal Jubilee hospital, the year after me. 

That conversation got very interesting quickly, after we realized we lived very close to each other,  and had gone to the same school. Where did you live? Did you know this person? Do you remember this? Wow,  that was so cool. The questions kept coming so fast! 

Then somewhere, some how, I started telling him about when I was young, and so much of my young life just came out. I felt surprised at what rolled outta my mouth, but I don't really know why. I'm thinking as we talked about the home I lived in, and he lived close, and knew so much of the area, I just got taken away in my thoughts.  

Well it wasn't just him there, so when I kinda collected my thoughts, and felt a little silly spilling my stories all over the place, I said sorry for saying so much, Patti said, thanks, that surprised me, she was truly happy I'd opened up. I felt a little silly,  as I was surprised at me. 

Then Ivo helped change the subject, and away we went with politics and some othe silly stuff 😜 that helped. 

Still, was an interesting time, I thanked Frank before leaving, I wanna meet again and talk about Victoria, and what he remembers, people, places, and whatever.  Was and interesting afternoon. 

This morning I'm going for a walk early,  the weather is threatening to rain soon, so I'm going before it does. Polly's up now, so off I go! 😁

Life's always interesting,  especially if you get to step back in time when you're really not expecting it! 

Love ❤️ our life.

Sunday morning quiet.

       Polly baked yesterday afternoon 

I love Sunday morning, as everywhere seems so still. I hear a few trucks now going by on the highway,  but early Sunday morning is always so still. I love to walk about town on a Sunday morning,  or drive about.  Everything just slows down, people are either not up, or busy at home. People just slow down or take the day off take on Sunday.  

That is unless you're in a busy city. Yuma today will have some busyness I'm sure as the day goes forward,  but the very beginning is quiet. I made the coffee ☕️messaged a few friends, getting Bing, bing now, people are up, even if it's Sunday, people are busy with family & friends today. 

Polly's up now, blinds go up and we see the pink in the few clouds early, going to be another nice day. Yuma seems to be paying off, good weather looking forward is "getting better all the time" 🎵  as the song says. 🎵  Funny how a song can enter your mind as you say something, and the words take on a new feel. Beatles have some of the best lyrics. 

Today all going good I'll get the hinges I need to finish alteration to one of our end tables beside the couch, put it together,  and that'll be done. We have friends here in Yuma we want to vist, hopefully take a drive over and see them, been a couple years since we've visited. Maybe the afternoon by the pool, see how the day progresses. All subject to change is how a Sunday goes today, no rush, no have to be, no appointments. 

Yes a very relaxed day Sunday is, coffee ☕️#2 now, thanks Polly. I started reading a book on poker yesterday that I'd ordered last week, I was surprised the author Barry Goldstein, was telling a story about his early life, how he got addicted to poker. It's very interesting, I'm never going to be addicted to poker, I just like it, I don't live it as he does. 

Sun's up now,  days still very quiet. I'm very content right now, I smile to myself. Yep, life's really good. No if's, no I wish, no next time. This is it, and I'm happy with this. 

Can't beat Happy on a Sunday morning.

Love ❤️ our life.

Writing is my gift to me.

I started writing many moons ago, with the idea of a journal given to me by a teacher in high-school. I call it a gift now as I find it relaxing, fun, also a way of augmenting my thinking. Today in messaging with a friend I realized I'd been writing for along time. We gave journals to 5 of our grandchildren this year, hoping they would use them moving forward in life. I realise now, writing as we learned in school is almost a thing of the past. Still I think they may use these journals if they see value in the future. 

For me now, I'm pecking on my phone, yet I do enjoy writing on paper still. Funny how you become good at what you like doing. I'm not a great looking type of writer on paper, a little messy, lots of scratch outs, nor do I value exact writing. I really like to write as I would be talking, makes me smile once in awhile as I write to have a word, or a phrase written as I would say it. 😊 

Introspective day I'm thinking, I didn't start like this, but here I am getting all about how I'm thinking. That's Journaling,  looking in at what's going on, making choices about what direction you're going, and deciding if you change direction. That's about it for me anyway.  

Today, Sunday my direction is messaging a few friends and family, plan ahead what this week will be, truck to transmission shop, still not right, finish the rebuild on the cabinet beside our couch, and of course poker at Fortuna 12_3pm 4 day's this week. This afternoon a little shopping at the market, and now I'm told Wal-Mart, dinner out tonight as Polly needs a break,  also a look at a place here at another rv park, just a look I'm saying. 

This evening im teaching 10 people here how to play poker, that'll be fun I'm sure, a request came this morning. I told a friend of my learning during covid times, when we were all winter at Arrowvale campground. I learned to say yes more, I learned how good it felt to say yes right away when asked to do something, as even if I'm not sure I can, I'll do it, and learn as I go. 

Raining hard out now,  maybe not a great day to go to the market,  see how the afternoon is. It's not like the coast, weather is quick to come, and quick to go here. Polly has a WPT poker program on as I peck here now.  We both like to watch. 

Looking like a cold week here, better next week. We will endure, likely still in shorts,  maybe a jacket today. I have to admit, the sound of rain on our trailers roof feels nice, like home. 

10am now, been at this a couple hours now,  on and off. Polly's says she doesn't feel like going out right now,  windy, cold, lol 😆 I laugh to myself. 

May, back to bed lol 😆 

Love ❤️ our life 🤗

A week just went poof

This week Polly had a cold, and of course I followed after a few day's after her with the same darn cold. In our world now "offended" has taken on a status all of its own, yet before this term became a joke,  and a "thing" as stuff like this is described now, I used this word to describe how I felt when attacked by a cold. Today I'm on the mend, feeling so much better,  yet I still feel offended at the fact that I had this darn cold. 

Maybe the wrong word, but it's how I feel when I get something that pisses me off by jumping out at me when I'm not looking for it. My sister in law says, "don't kiss when you have a cold, sleep apart" well that doesn't work here, I'm not sleeping on the couch, and Polly and I always kiss good night, 😘 always 😘 😘  That's just how it is, so we accept that if one gets it, we likely both going to share it. 

Yet I'm very offended that it comes at all, a feeking cold. Dam. Well now looking back, it feels not too bad now, the worst is over, and today I'm making plans to go out for dinner, maybe tomorrow,  see how we are feeling.  Pollys OK no, I might be another couple days,  see how it goes. 

We watched much TV, we didn't go out, except to get drinking water, to make coffee ☕️,  was nice to walk, but not much energy. I give into a cold readily,  rest, water, and medicine.  All helps to endure it, then rest just a little more, till ambition returns. That's my way, ever since retirement, nothing much can't wait! Not like when working, most went to work sick, no good sick pay alternative, so would go even if not feeling great. Some got the cold at work, so the thought was why do I take time off when others don't? Even discussed at work, yet many did come in, and companies didn't care, they needed a warm body there to man the stations regardless of their cold. 

I'm very happy to know I didn't have to make that choice this time, I did stay home when sick at work, but a few times when I was really needed, I went, but usually I'd stay home, I just hated going in feeling shitty. 

Well enough of that now,  I'm feeling better today,  and a shower is in order, that's another thing I stopped at day 2, today is day 5 so, yep, it's definitely time. 

We found out this week Polly's sister has booked her flight, she's coming to join us in February for a week, then stay March and return home with us April1st. 

Pollys very excited about his bit of news, she's planning already about when we pick Lyn up, where we'll go, lunch, the liquor store in California, something that Polly was very impressed with there. I'm thinking she wants to show Lyn all the things she's been telling her about over the last few years that she's experienced,  show her around here, and just give her a real tour around. I'm happy for both of them, will be nice to have Lyn here, will be fun I know.  We've had her come visit before, but never traveled with her while towing I'm thinking, so a new experience.  

January now, the hulabulu of Christmas and New Year's all done now, onward to the rest of winter now.  Feels like only a short time left and we'll start to return home. I'm guessing as we have future plans, that seems to make it shorter. I do notice the days seem to go just poof, weeks seem to do the same. 

Was really nice to spend time during the holidays with friends from the east, and friends that live in LA, just nice to be close, along with busy, we were on the go. Dinner at Long Beach Greek restaurant,  then a walkabout at what was like Venice canals. A Hockey game, Hollywood, Comerce Casino, football game, geezz, and we still found time to sit out by the orange 🍊 and lemon 🍋 trees, and drink a couple Margatitas and talk. Playing poker till late,  well 10pm lol. We had a very nice Christmas break thanks to friends that seem to want us around 😀 

Yes we are extremely fortunate, and we know it. Count your blessings I hear often, I know we do. 

Today's going to be slow still, but hoping tomorrow be comeback day, if not then Monday.  I'm going to take our Rambo back to the transmission shop, he's still got a hiccup,  needing some attention.  I'm going to leave it with Stan a few days,  let him drive it a bit,  see if he can figure out what's going on with it. I'm very confident in this guy, he's really on the ball. 

I have a repair slash improvement going on with our side cupboards at the ends of our couch,  that I need to finish before too long, I'll get on that this week.  

Windy today,  no real ambition yet. "Retired thoughs" Maybe tomorrow 🤔🤣

Ambition low, satisfied OK, content 💯percent 👌 

Love ❤️ our life.

Climate Crisis, Carbon Neutral, Neutral zone

World Junior Hockey 🏒,  Canada vs Czechia this morning was not as expected, or hoped for 1-0 then 2-0 Czechia. Wasn't what I wanted to see after 1st period. Then comes the commercials, and sports announcers yak yak. I notice the message being touted again and again in commercials, we are being programed with a message that we are in CRISIS! Climate change has been touted for along time now, but today I noticed they've stepped it up now to Crisis, we are being told it's a Crisis now. 

Of course I'm thinking the hockey game is in Crisis, we are loosing! As for the world Climate, I can't believe we are in Crisis. I think our weather is different from when I was young, but Crisis? Gimme a break 😫,  what a pile of crap. The people pushing this line will have us sitting our hands not wanting to move here on earth, well at least in the western world. The rest of the world still operates as we used to, with little regard for the unrealistic rules we've been pumped into accepting. 

Back to hockey now,  Canada's come to the game in period 2 scoring a goal as they realized the Crisis they had, now there dealing with it. Pollys up now,  cheering them on, "Shoot the puck!" "Come on come on now" urgency being the push here by Polly. I think the Canadian team's listening to her, they've come alive.  YEAH,  GOAL 2, Polly walks away for a minute to warm her coffee ☕️,  and they delivered.  

Now that's how to deal with Crisis, act like it's a Crisis and get too it. Our whole world is in Crisis the people pumping the Climate Crisis would have you believe,  yet only a small part of it is acting on it, the countries that have already regulated themselves out of the market, but that's not enough. We have to not turn a wheel, at least not a wheel that attached to an engine that burns fuel. 

I could go on quite a rant here, but rather than rant I'll leave it to everyone else to think. Is there a CRISIS? Should we shut the western world 🌎 down? What would that look like? Would the weather change?

Back to the commercials, and then the important stuff, game on! Neutral Zone again, more play play by the announcers between periods. The announcer says "It was and udder failure" when he comments on another game. Polly gets all like "it wasn't an udder failure" to the TV announcer. 

Another bit of media giving us their take on something, sensationalized as it's presented leaving us with an opinion in how the game was played. Just as our Climate change is being presented.  

Back to the game, and cheers all the way through 3rd till the last few seconds Czechia scores, after Canada played hard almost all period in Czechias end. Deflated,  that's how it feels, Deflated. Dam. Polly says "That's what I thought might happen" played their heart out, rewarded a loss. Sad for our team. 

Someone's always got to loose, this time was us. 

Polly goes about making her shake for the day, I'm going back to bed. 

Canucks tonight, maybe a win there. 🏆 

Life's good when your winning, still good for us even when we loose. 

Love our life 🤗❤️