February, 2004
Are we
really in Arizona???? The weather here in the Phoenix area has
been termed "unusual for this time of year." Seems like we've heard that
before in many instances. Anyway, it has been a somewhat cool month for
this part of the country. When watching the weather reports for the rest
of the country, however, we are thankful that we are not shoveling snow.
But there was a stretch of several weeks that our plants had to be brought
inside at night so that they would not freeze. The many maintenance
workers here in the park had to cover the many flower beds each night and then
remove the yards and yards of canvas each morning. Long pants and sweaters
were the dress code for many days.
The
cool weather didn't keep us from our many activities, however. Early
morning golf and tennis times found us in warm-ups, but layers were shed as the
day progressed. We made a trip to a local pecan farm one day to
see what happens before we get those delicious nuts at the store. Locally,
the pecans are harvested in the winter by shaking the trees and collecting the
nuts from the ground. Truckloads of nuts are brought to the processor
where they are dumped onto a conveyor that passes by a team of workers who
inspect them all for cracks. Then they are bagged and shipped to
distributors. Its a pretty simple but time consuming, labor intensive
process. Unfortunately, they weren't shelling any the day we were
there. But they did have samples of the many ways they process them to
sell...cinnamon, cajun, etc. Yum!
Tom
surveying the bins of pecans ready to be processed.
Workers inspecting pecans moving along the conveyer.
Our
Canadian friends, Bev and Don McGovern and Don's sister-in-law, Jean, with Tom
at the pecan farm.
At a
local Chinese restaurant on February 10, we helped celebrate our friend Peter
Nichita's birthday. The restaurant owner was excited that we would come
there to celebrate and eagerly posed for a photo. We had a good meal and a
fun celebration with Peter and his wife, Kathy, the McGoverns and Vicki and Bob
Bissillion. We are the only ones not from Kelowna, BC.
Click on "forward" above to see more of our February
adventures.
page 1
We had
a fun visit from Tom's cousin, JoAnn Blair, and her husband Don on February
6. After lunch, the guys played golf and the gals toured the park model
display and gabbed. Jo and Don live in Tucson.
Over President's Day
weekend we attended the O'Odham Tash Indian Festival in Casa
Grande. There was a field of carnival rides, an Art and Craft show, a rodeo
and a festival of music and dance. All ages were represented in
the dancing competitions and exhibitions. The costumes ranged from simple
to extravagant and all were colorful. The music at the dancing arena was
provided by several bands that took turns performing the many songs. The
most amazing part of the music was that the groups weren't just "making
noise." They obviously knew the words/sounds and the changing beat as they
performed for the dancers.
page 2
Tom
took a break from the sun and fun during the week of February 16. He flew
to Washington, D.C. to attend a training session...and he is now a "fiscal
reviewer" for the federal Head Start Program. He will be a member of an
eight person team that will go to various Head Start programs to review all the
aspects of their operation. Each review takes four or five days, and Tom
has the ability to accept assignments when and where he chooses when they are
offered to him. We have the option to also purchase an extra ticket for
Mary to go along. Its an opportunity to do some extra travel and get paid
for it! While in
Washington Tom enjoyed a dinner out with Mary's cousin Geoff Close and his wife,
Bethann, and on another night with Darin Dew, the son of our good friends in
Toledo. Meanwhile, "back at the ranch" Mary was enjoying the tennis, golf
and sunshine.
The
Palm Creek Quilters held their annual Quilt Show on February 21. Although
Mary hasn't done any of the quilting, it is always fun to see how much time,
effort and talent our neighbors have put into their work.
Our
"Happy Hours" this month occasionally had to be held inside because of
weather. But, we were happy to visit with "new arrivals", the Nichitas and
the McGraths, here in the park that we'd met last year. Sadly, other
friends, the Eichers and the Kleins both returned to Toledo. Hopefully
we'll see them again soon. One "happy hour" we attended was hosted by Tom
and Diane Connerty from the Denver area. They are Newmar salesmen and had
invited all the Newmar owners in the park as well as some other people to come
share food and drink. We were among close to 100 people at their RV
site....lots of fun!
As with any large group of people, there are many
differing opinions on any given subject. Here in Palm Creek, population
nearly 4000, it is no different. The management here at the park has been
working hard to maintain the property at the highest standards...and is
succeeding. The monthly "Forum" meeting for residents was held February 27
and as always there were residents who came to "speak their mind." The
biggest topic of concern is the fact that the rental rates have been increased
by over 25% for next year. However......most current residents will be
returning, as there is not another park that we know of that has the amenities
found here offered at this price. We have made our reservation to return
next November.
February, 2004
One of
the "Tiny Tot" dancers.
Performers in a "Community Dance."
One of
the Indian bands...members sat around the large drum, which they shared as they
sang and chanted their songs.
.....some of the quilts at the Palm Creek Quilt Show
After
Mary's usual Sunday morning round of golf with the ladies, we finished out the
month on Leap Year Day with a trip into Mesa to visit the infamous "Swap
Meet." We picked a good time to go as the crowds weren't bad. We
made our way through all the buildings in good time and Tom was doubly
pleased that Mary didn't spend too much money!
Click on "back" above to see Page 1 of our
February adventures.