Unwanted Changes

When I phoned my friend with birthday wishes, she related some sad news. Her daughter is ending a 27 year marriage due to her husband's infidelity. The devastated girl doesn't realize it now, but this is a life lesson. Sometimes the Universe deals us a blow and we are forced to make unwanted changes. To her, this is the end of the world, which it is---the end of her world as she knew it. A new cycle is beginning and she will eventually understand the necessity of the change. In the meantime, please pray for Kathy.

Surprise

You're never too old to be surprised. Don't let yourself get so bored or jaded that you can't appreciate the unexpected. At the beginning of the week, a farmer left cases of cantaloupe in our park and they were the best we've ever eaten----surprise! Another evening, 4 solar lights mysteriously appeared around our palm tree---surprise! We had no dessert planned for supper one night and a neighbor appeared with streusel cake---surprise! We actually made a few dollars on our last casino visit and that was REALLY a surprise. So, how many surprises have you had this week?

Thanksgiving 2009

Today is Thanksgiving, a special day to count our blessings. Actually, we need to give thanks every day for family, friends, health and freedom. It's easy to take these things for granted but just lose one and you'll realize it's importance to your life. The DH and I are especially blessed again this year to be spending the winter in this beautiful, sunny warm place. We're both healthy and happy and loving every minute of it! Thank you, Lord. One of the lesser blessings is that I no longer have to cook those huge holiday meals---the RV camp is providing dinner for all of us today. Thank you to the cooks!

Canine Angel

A favorite pet has gone to Doggie Heaven. She was 14 years old, a very old lady by any standard. Her poor little body shut down, forcing her owners to have her put to sleep. It's amazing how pets can become such an important part of our lives, as evidenced by the dozens of dogs wintering in our park. The furry little individuals wend their way into our hearts with their comical ways and unconditional love, leaving a huge hole when they leave. Who says animals don't have souls---they were made by God, weren't they?

A Bag of Beans

If the youth of our nation believe they have a corner on games, they are sadly mistaken. Seniors also like to play. Granted, our games aren't as exciting as those of our grandchildren, but we can't take too much excitement. Thus, our repertoire consists of Facebook games, cards, dominoes, etc. On the physical side, the men of our camp play horseshoes every week and now the DH has introduced bean bags to the mix. He's accumulated three sets and holds a tournament weekly for both men and women. Turnout has been great; it not only encourages exercise but the socialization and laughter are enjoyable. Besides, dodging errant bean bags keeps us nimble!

Fiesta Time

What better way to celebrate winter than with a fiesta? Since the AZ room is finished, we needed to throw an appreciation party for our wonderful friends and neighbors, so we gathered them up and fed them tacos, burritos, and chimichangas with all the trimmings. When you get right down to it, people are the same the world over---everybody likes to eat and laugh! The DH had misgivings about doing an outside room, but of course he loves it now. Sometimes men need to be told what's good for them...

The Old Zone

During the winter months we live in the Old Zone, as opposed to the Twilight Zone. Upon reflection, however, there ARE parallels. Retirement is a rather surreal situation---no set sleeping hours or meal times, after 70 you're allowed to speak your mind, game playing and television viewing are the two main activities. Residents of an RV park tend to disappear from one year to the next. A multitude of characters inhabit the premises, both good and evil, and good doesn't always triumph. It's comparable to a trip back in time to childhood days. Wow! Maybe we are in the Twilight Zone!

True Confessions

I must confess to having an addiction. I'm addicted to Raisin Bran Crunch! As our system ages, certain functions no longer work as well as they should, one of the down sides of attaining old age. The DH can't believe I can eat the same breakfast every day and not tire of it, so to please him, I tried different products. Fiber One is like eating petrified puffed wheat and Flax with Bran is kin to a bowl of tree bark. Thus, we were on a Raisin Bran quest this week and it wasn't easy to find; there are evidently a lot of bound up snowbirds in town. Besides, I don't care how expensive it is, it's still cheaper than dynamite!

Scorpions

Living in the desert southwest has its advantages and disadvantages. The warm temps, sunshine and beautiful flowers are advantages. Wind, dust and insects are disadvantages. I sat down on a chair on the patio this afternoon and was bitten by a scorpion. I'd reached behind me and felt a pinprick so, of course, I felt deeper to see what caused it and wham! I thought a red hot needle had punctured my finger! I plunged it into a bag of ice and got on Google to see what would stop the throbbing. As long as I had it iced, it was okay, but the minute the ice was gone, it hurt like the devil. Some friends happened to be here and one suggested putting Tea Tree Oil on it. As luck would have it, I had some on hand and it stopped the pain almost immediately. I guess those Australians know what they're doing!