Apricity West 5

February 21, 2025 - Friday

Weighed in pre-weekend and lost .2 pounds. Yes, that counts considering our Tucson eating habits. Then the usual chain of events - walk, no swim, go to T&J’s for patio time, including cocktails and pizza. 

February 22, 2025 - Saturday

Walked at about 9am - then to T&J’s for a visit to the local Farmers’ Market. Today is more about arts and crafts, Sunday is more about food, but don’t worry, we found Heirloom and Black Garlic, Sour Dough Bread, a Ginger cookie and finally, pot stickers to share to keep it light. Here is a tour of the market for your pleasure...

Picked out a couple of butterfly stickers here. The vendor, Marissa, said that she has a bush in her front yard and noticed butterfly wings on the ground. Turns out, there is a praying mantis eating the bodies and leaving the wings behind in perfect condition. She laminates them and makes light earrings and necklaces. They don’t lose color and are beautiful as nature itself. Stickers are not the real deal, but... 

Sandra (forgot to get her picture) does water color art and also sells blank-inside cards. She does all of it - painting, framing, printing, etc. Her husband is her roadie for the shows which she very much appreciates. 

We talked with Todd about his art and the cost of a booth. Turns out he also draws medical images for hospitals and doctors' offices showing all of the body parts, organs, blood vessels, etc. WOW - talk about detailed work.

I was immediately drawn to a bright colorful booth of De La Cruz Mexican Art. The pieces are made from a very light weight wood and painted with bold and vibrant colors of lead-free acrylic paint. They are created by the Nahua People in the Mexican state of Guerrero - the styles can be traced back to Pre-Columbian era. Zoom-in to see the intricate details - many have moving parts that are so light they move in a breeze.  

There was a spinning class outside of a restaurant in the parking lot. It's in the email - see if you can find us... 

Rich and I took over the Parsons’ kitchen to give them a break from feeding us. Rich roasted a pork loin with carrots and baby potatoes in the pan. I made a batch of Johan’s red cabbage with vinegar, apple, onion and cloves. Jim grilled pineapple spears and Terri cleaned up afterwards. Team work.

February 23, 2025 - Sunday

We met them at 8am at First Watch for a “light” breakfast - HA! Of course, it was delicious.

 

Then we went our separate ways for the rest of the day until patio time after our ukulele session. While on my walk back at the RV park, Suzie came by with her mountain dogs - each weighing 125 pounds. I said I bet she doesn’t weigh as much as one of them. She weighs 105 lbs! Good thing they are so well behaved and don’t drag her around on their walk. When asked where the dogs sleep, she said, “In our bed!” Not surprised that they just ordered a bigger rig to be delivered in a couple of weeks. 

She told me that there was a birthday recently and they planned an outdoor gathering. It was too cold in the evening, so they took it inside with the two dogs and 8 adult partiers - she just pushed everything aside. I can’t imagine how they all fit in there...

We were sitting outside when Amy came by in her golf cart. She has been working here since we have been coming out and has always connected with us being from Vermont and knowing NY state very well. She asked if we knew of a TeePee on Route 9 in NY as someone had just made a reservation and said they owned it. To be continued - they arrive on Tuesday. She went on to say that she has quit drinking and smoking since we saw her last. Kudos to her.👍 Also that her husband was just diagnosed with stage-3 rectal cancer and is undergoing treatments. Prayers for him.🙏 

We drove over to the Rio Vista Park for another TUKU2 meetup. Today it got up to 77 degrees - grateful for the shade sails. Well Rich keeps getting more harmonica solos - 3 intros and/or outros that will be performed on March 19 at an elder housing unit. He hardly touches the ukulele - he’s more comfortable with the harmonica. Who knew!

Another no lunch Sunday so as to enjoy blue cheese burgers and turmeric cauliflower dinner with T&J. Followed by a combo of my WW flourless, sugarless chocolate chip cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of cherry syrup. Yum.

 

February 24, 2025 - Monday

Lazy day in the 80’s - did the usual stuff, including walking. Rich and I practiced our music. Hit some new milestones today...

Streaks:

Duolingo 71 days

WW 150 days

Walking 150 days

 

February 25, 2025 - Tuesday

Slept good last night - 7 hours. Walked earlier than usual to beat the heat. Played music. Crocheted on the pink baby blanket for Rich’s expectant great-grand daughter. Terri came over for a visit - sat outside in the shade. Beautiful!

 

February 26, 2025 - Wednesday

Slept even better last night - 9 hours. Same pattern for walking today. Working on the baby blanket little by little. Rich is really taking this solo stuff seriously, since he has practiced every day this week - YAY...

 

February 27, 2025 - Thursday

Another good night of sleep! Yahoo! Up at 7 and walked at 8:30 while still cool and refreshing. I decided to do a swim on this glorious bright, sunny day.

 

We are a mile away from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and they are starting to prepare for the Air Show. They are actually being re-certified - the show is March 22/23. It is thrilling to hear and see their magnificent power overhead.  

We are trying very hard to be “good” during the week with a big party weekend coming up - Terri’s birthday! Jim always plans something super special and we tag along.

 

Stay tuned...