Apricity West 4

December 29, 2023 - Friday

Cindy had made us Cinnamon Sweet Rolls in her compact Cuisinart toaster-oven/grill/air fryer which I checked out at her RV. I took a picture to show Rich and we decided to order one. We don’t use propane for anything so an electric fry pan, microwave and the charcoal grill have been the tools used to cook. 

 

Tonight was the Light Parade which was postponed from last week due to rain. It was a mild night and started right at 6 when first shades of night appear. John and Geri have been coordinating this event for 7 years now. They lead the way around North Ranch, including every street, for a good hour and then go to the Activity Center for hot cocoa, etc. I love the names of the streets here at North Ranch. 

 

North to South:

Burnt Sage Road

Fort Apache Drive

Sun Rider Way

Running Horse Road

Meandering Lane 

Wandering Way

Vagabond Trail 

 

East to West:

Obsidian Drive

Escapee Way

Trading Post Trail

Shalako Lane

Iron Eagle Drive

Wind Spirit Lane

Granite Ridge Road

Outlaw Drive

Westward View Road

 

It is next to impossible to get a good blur-free picture at night, but these are the lucky ones out of 20 vehicles that I will share. 

December 30, 2023 - Saturday

Happy 12th birthday to my grandson, Zachary❣️

This week we opted to have dinner at the Elks tonight (Prime Rib) instead of last night’s steak night. It was the Elk’s New Year’s Eve celebration, so I put on the sparkling top that I bought at Dee’s Yard Sale last month and my cowgirl boots with a tassel. I didn’t wear them last year because my bad hip made it impossible to get them on and off. It felt good to wear them.

December 31, 2023 - Sunday  (123123)

We walked in the early afternoon, followed by a Bloody Mary for me and a Bloody Maria (tequila) for Lu, then laundry and worked on the jigsaw puzzle. One of the cool things about RV parks is they usually have a swap table where folks leave off items they don’t need anymore and pick up items they need/want. I struck it rich today! There were 4 small crock pots in perfect condition sitting there. We have two large bowls, but nothing for small portions. Now we do. 

January 1, 2024 - Monday HAPPY NEW YEAR

Went for my first hike in the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) behind North Ranch. There is a gate in a back parking lot which opens up desert trails that have been forged over the years by residents here. 

There were 22 of us that gathered for a hike to Inspiration Point - .3 miles to the Four Corners, then .9 miles to the point. Couldn’t get everyone in the selfie! 

It was a fairly level walk with dirt roads which varied in the surface texture from hard and solid, to loose beach sand, to small rock deposits. It is evident that ATV’s also make use of these paths, much to the disdain of the hikers, who sometimes set up barriers of twigs soon to be pushed aside.  

We invited Cindy and Dee over so we could experiment with the new oven and crock pots. Rich marinated the shrimp in ginger, garlic, teriyaki sauce, and oil. He wrapped the salmon in foil and sliced lemons to top it off, while doing sticky rice in the rice cooker. It is like a jigsaw puzzle to plan for which outlets to use and when.Ha! I actually participated in the preparation by making Asian green beans in the air  fryer and individual grapenut pudding crocks for dessert. 

January 2, 2024 - Tuesday

Practiced with the Hassayampa Ukulele Group this morning. I really enjoy playing with them to get the strumming down, but not sure yet about a gig next Monday. When I left the building, I was looking for Gracie (VW) when Rich had to yell out to me. That was embarrassing. My brain hasn’t made the full transition yet.

 

Had lunch at the Elks and my first bowl of Pozole - a Mexican soup made with meat, hominy, and corn in this case. It was spicy and delicious.

 

January 3, 2024 - Wednesday

Finally got to dance again after four days off. I would love to teach a beginners group back home so I can keep dancing after I leave here. I will have to practice my instructor skills on sister Terri in Tucson since she is now retired! 🤪

Rich ordered a set of chopsticks for us and the packaging is just gorgeous. My friend, Drew, taught me how to use them back in the day when we did lunch at Chinese restaurants while traveling from store to store for our jobs.  

Morals of Chopsticks as Gifts: from product details

To couples: Live a wonderful life and have a lovely baby.

To friends: Share happiness and woe.

To spouse: Love forever and never be separated.

To children: Grow up healthily and happily.

To the elderly: Wish happy forever and in longevity.

To lover: Be together and sweet as honey.

 

January 4, 2024 - Thursday

Went to Roxie’s studio again for our final practice before the gig for the Sr. Center. I decided today that I will join the performance - it’s a great group. I never heard of a banjolele before, but that is an instrument being played in two of our songs. It sounds like a hybrid of banjo and ukulele which is played the same as the uke. Interesting...

Roxie (right) and Cindy (left) provided the nourishments of liquor and banana bread after practice. 

I tried the Screwball which tastes like peanut butter with my banana bread - it was yummy. 

There are numerous instruments in this studio and I noticed a pile of tambourines, including foot tambourines. It turns out that Dottie, my friend who passed away last summer, donated them to Roxie. 💔

After a brief rest, I played in the jam session back at the ranch. My voice was getting tired so it was hard to sing lower range songs - always looking for a higher harmony to get out of the basement.

 

With only 3 more weeks here, we are starting to wind down and are now approaching doing things for the last time here…. BooHoo! 🥹