December 8, 2023 - Friday
Changed things up today - stayed in North Ranch for the day. After line dancing, I went down to Joanne’s to practice Christmas Music with Bernadette on YouTube. I always learn something new when we play ukulele together - alternate fingerings for chords and what the dots on the neck of the uke indicate. Who knew?
December 9, 2023 - Saturday
Finally made plans to get together with Marilyn at the Black Rock Cafe - about an hour west of us. The ride is always fascinating for me, watching the jagged ridges against the crystal blue skyline pass by. The ground level landscape is occasionally interrupted by small towns of old rickety buildings, railroad tracks, fields of onions, nut trees, and dark greens which we cannot identify.
After miles of nothingness, I can see a glint of white dots in the foothills which turn out to be a community of RV’s boondocking out in the drylands.
If you’ve been following from the start, you may recall that we first saw Marilyn in Deming, NM at Dreamcatcher Park in 2020. That year, we were a few sites down from her in her teardrop, but never actually met her. She walked and walked and walked using two walking sticks. I was intrigued by this flying-solo white haired woman (like me) and wanted to pick her brain, but it didn’t happen until the following year in the same place. At the time, she was knitting socks and didn’t know how to “turn.” She had seen me sitting outside knitting and posed the question. I couldn’t tell you how to do it now, but at the time I YouTubed it. That bonded us and we walked together many times where we learned about each other.
In 2021, we ran into her at North Ranch (Congress) and Crazy Horse (Tucson). Last year, we didn’t manage to meet up, but today we made it happen. She looks terrific and is as brave as ever, having recently traveled to Colorado, Canada, and Alaska alone. As I said, she usually uses walking sticks, but one day went without them resulting in a hard fall which broke her wrist. She declined suggested surgery and uses tape and a brace now to protect it, but has enough mobility to knit - she has moved on from socks to mittens. She really is a delight to talk with and we vowed to see each other again in Tucson in March.
Her last vehicle was a 6 cylinder Tacoma truck. She had a really tough time climbing a hill while pulling her casita, so upgraded to this 8 cylinder beauty - 2019 Limited Toyota Sequoia. She keeps it sparkling at all times, even in the dusty desert.
December 10, 2023 - Sunday
Lu and I went for a 2 mile walk, followed by laundry for me. Just a kick-back day - playing uke, a little napping, then sitting outside drinking wine and deciding about family Christmas cards...
December 11, 2023 - Monday
After dancing, we went up to Prescott (Press-kit) to check out a 2017 Chevy Spark. Gracie (our VW) has been making new noises (rattles, vroom-vroom engine or muffler or bearing, squeaks) that make us wonder if she will make the trip back to Massachusetts. She has been so good to us over the past 3 years, but time to let go.
I love the climb over the mountain and especially the names of the towns we pass through - Yarnell, Peeples Valley, Kirkland, Skull Valley.
Top of the hill…
Yarnell
Into Skull Valley
Long gone by General Store - the cottonwoods in the background are a bright green in the Spring.
December 12, 2023 - Tuesday
Today was a TCB day - Taking Care of Business. I even skipped a walk and yoga to do so. Between Christmas decisions, purchasing a car, health insurance squabbles, and grocery shopping, we were exhausted and re-energized with a short nap before going to Dot and Harvey’s for our weekly music session. I sure needed that and the de-stressor of the laughter that followed. These two have been sounding pretty darn good together.
December 13, 2023 - Wednesday
Very chilly night last night (37 degrees) so the flannel sheets are going on the bed today. After dance, Nancy stopped over. She lives in her new home at Wickenburg Ranch, but comes over to North Ranch to line dance. Finally there was time to sit and visit. She was a great neighbor last year - in the site next to us with her van. She is an avid swimmer and sometimes I would go to accompany her. We’ll see if I get over there this year. Soon, we will be stopping by to see her new home.
We went to the post office to mail our Christmas gifts to family. Last year, I mailed a box of small token items and it cost me over $60. This year it cost $13 to mail an envelope full of cold hard cash in the form of gift cards. Also, individual (hand picked by them) gifts from Amazon have already been mailed directly to their homes. The grandkids are 12 and 14 years old, so the element of surprise isn’t as strong for them.
Tom stopped by to chat and we shared lots of memories, news on ailing friends, along with laughs.
December 14, 2023 - Thursday
Rich went in to breakfast as usual with the guys. I just learned that the 1/4 biscuit and gravy only costs $3.60. Well, he got his money’s worth today as they were VERY generous portions that he could not even finish.
I walked before yoga, but Lu bailed out this morning. We are just staying here today instead of the Elks. I will be planning my song line-up for the jam this afternoon.
All went well even though Harvey couldn’t be there today. Heather’s final song was Ed Sheeran’s Perfect. She did a superb job and I threw in a little harmony…
3 inch Christmas decoration is hung! 🎄✝️🎅
Nighty night!
