Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Snowbird Journal-Dec 9, 2008




Sorry we haven't posted anything for awhile. We've been busy trying out new activities or seeing new places. Betsy and I signed up as helpers at the Tucson therapeutic riding center. We'll assist riders as substitute side-walkers. Betsy has also signed up for a desert landscape painting class through Pima Community College. I've started electric bass guitar lessons. I'm not sure where that idea came from but I'm having fun with it. The real challenge was to find a spot in the trailer for the amp. I've also found a rifle range that is less than 3 miles away and is run by Pima County. As you can imagine this is big gun country. I've taken my flintlock to the range and it's attracted quite a bit of attention. Doesn't everyone travel the country with a big ol' muzzleloader? And last but not least, we have joined the Desert Gold Diggers gold panning club. The club has several of it's own claims scattered around southern Arizona. While I pan for gold, Betsy can paint, or sketch. We have also contact the Empire Ranch Foundation asking if they have any projects we could work on. Of course, in addition to our own activities there are activities here at ye old trailer park. Activities such as aerobics (Richard Simmons on tape. Yuck!), dominoes, bookmobile, coffee & donuts, line dance, and the always exciting bingo. The local RV dealers also sponsor a coffee and donut breakfast where they give a sales pitch but also give out prizes such as hat's, mug's, t-shirts, etc. But they also have one or two pretty good prizes like an RV bath or 25% off on service work. One of our new neighbors has been here for the past three winters and says that the snowbird population in the park is way down. Probably because of the stupid economy. Last Sunday we ran up to Eloy again to drive by a couple of houses that had a couple of acres. They were nice houses but the surrounding properties were awful. I think the neighbors were the Hatfields, McCoy's, and Clampetts. We've decided to forget looking at RE until we decide what to do with the Indiana house. We've also managed to do a little shopping in the local antique and vintage clothing stores. I found a straw Campaign--Park Ranger--Smokey The Bear Hat. It doesn't look that good on me, but it was $10. It'll work out in the desert.
We have enjoyed watching Little Elizabeth grow and grow. She doesn't miss much!
Recently, Amy had knee surgery so we're helping out a little bit more until she's on her feet again.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey -
It looks and sounds like you guys are having a great time. The grandchildren are gorgeous - how lucky to be so close. We're expecting Emily & the boys on the 19th - Chris & Adrienne are flying into Charleston,WV on the 21st and bringing my mom out with them on the 22nd. Jeff arrives in KC on the 23rd. It will be wonderful chaos for several days.
Have a wonderful holiday. Everyone misses you guys - even the MO contingent.
Kay

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking the hat looks great. Maybe it's that crusty old thing under the hat that doesn't look so good?

JM

"his-self" said...

Oooh, you're making me envious! Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. The gold panning sounds very interesting. I've watched some shows on dry panning but have never done it. I've done some river panning in the Arkansas River with limited success.

Don't listen to JM on the hat, I think it's the ticket for gold panning!