Happy Mother's Day

I was looking forward to our Mother's Day luncheon today so I cheerfully got up, showered, did my hair, put on a nice outfit with matching jewelry and made sure Don was dressed appropriately.  :)  About quarter to 11, I grabbed our tickets and we headed to the door looking forward to the event.  Then......I glanced at the tickets and realized that the event was over already as I had written the wrong time on the calendar.  DANG!!  I hate it when that stuff happens!  Oh well.......sorry I don't have any photos.  I'll bet it was very nice.    I'll call Mary Ann and get some "belated" photos for you.

Every morning as we sit on the patio with that first delicious cup of coffee, we wave at Kent and Lesley Evans as they drive by on their way to the recycle station.  Friday we followed them with camera in hand.  These two kind-hearted folks single handedly take care of all the recycle products during the hot summer months.  During season, there is a crew of "Urban Miners" who handle the load but the Evans' are here alone in summer.

Today we watched the cardboard project.

A reminder to all residents:  PLEASE take out all the styrofoam and plastic junk before you toss boxes into the container or truck.  The vendor who buys the cardboard can't have plastic or junk included in the load.  Kent and Lesley wind up sorting it instead.  

This crusher scrunches the boxes into bales.

 Money from the recycling program is donated to different charities in the community.

Oh yes....big news!  The famous donut maker....Krispy Kreme has opened a new store in Casa Grande!  They're located by the Subway and Verizon store out at the Promenade Mall.  Be prepared for some sweet treats when you return.  Lesley and I laughed when she found some Krispy Kreme boxes in the trash.  Someone obviously couldn't resist.

Pickleball still continues on a daily basis.  Folks from Mission Royale and Robson now rotate to the different locations so there are enough players for the round robbins.

It's getting quiet here now.

Mornings are pretty quiet around here now.  I had to laugh this morning when I saw a lonely piece of tumbleweed crossing the road.

Although....sometimes quiet is good because we finally see a little bunny on occasion.  They seem to have all but disappeared this year.

 We spotted some strange looking equipment coming in the front gate so had to check out what they were doing.

They've installed some HIGH fencing to secure the softball field and try to prevent foul balls from interrupting pickleball play.

Spotted these bright red flowers as we drove down Desert Willow Drive.  Looks like roses from a distance.  Roses growing in a tree???

Yup.  That sure is what it looks like.  Very pretty.  (Site 505)

Cactus flowers still surprise us on a daily basis.  Check out these beauties on such a short little stub of cactus.

And this one is just determined to grow!  The plant is all bent over and is suspended by a rope but is topped with a massive cluster of pretty yellow flowers.

These yucca plants are definitely weird too.  They look like short stubby trees but this time of year they send up these tall huge stalks that open into pretty flowers up above.  

Here's another weird beauty.  Never a dull moment when out on our rounds.  Always something new to see.

Although our numbers are dwindling, we still gathered with some friendly folks for a nice happy hour.  Weather was absolutely beautiful today.  

Sam's Club plus More

We had to make a trip out to the mall this morning.  On the way, we noticed these gals in front of the new Sam's Club flagging down the cars and pointing to white bags, waving for us to drive in....so we did and it was FUN.  Today is the grand opening of their gas station.  The store is opening May 22 and you can bet I'll be there with camera in hand for the event.

Elaine is a super friendly Sam's club sponsor who greeted us as Don gassed up the car. 

There were three different vendor carts in the parking lot.  All items are FREE compliments of Sam's club.  This one had all kinds of slushies and drinks. 

Bags of kettle corn. 

And here you can get an entire lunch of pulled pork sandwiches plus the fixings. 

My very first slushie ever.   

Here are all the goodies that were in our free grab bag.  It was a fun event.  I posted it on NextDoor for those folks still here in the park.  Wouldn't want anyone to miss out on a great offer.  

************

Thank you to Marilyn Goeken and her crew for a GREAT Cinco de Mayo lunch yesterday!  They served a yummy taco bar with ALL the trimmings and it was scrumptious.  It was a very nice event out on the fireside patio.....and another wrap up to the season.  See if you recognize any familiar faces.  

After our great meal, we headed over to the Santan room to join our poker friends.  Our numbers have diminished as folks head to their "other homes" but spirits remain high.

Oh....by the way....May 4 was our first day of triple temps.  It got pretty warm in the afternoon.

Wildlife update:  Found this dove nesting on the light fixture at 1500 (Keith and Wendy Yeo).  That's certainly not unusual.....but the bird's antics certainly were!  She hopped down from the nest and did the wing flutter thing that is typical of killdeers.  I never saw a dove do that before as she tried to lure me away from her nest.  

I tried to get a photo so folks would believe me.

And....for those of you who have been watching the blog ... mama duck is STILL on her nest over on Oasis Drive.  STILL sitting in the hot sunshine.  

That's it for today.  Must hurry off to the club house for a good card game with "the girls".  Have a GREAT day!

____________

All is Quiet

Hello again....
It is another lovely sun shiny morning here.  Truly enjoyed that first cup of coffee out on the patio.  Those of us that are still here are soaking up the lovely weather as much as we can.

Don and Suzie Nunley enjoy their morning bike ride.

Others are taking advantage of FREE golf that starts May 1.  Here's Diana and Sam Sandoval.

We congratulate Tom Williams on his third hole-in-one accomplishment this week.  Tom has landed three of these trophies.....this week was on hole 6.  In 2008 he mastered #12 and in 2010 he was successful on #18.  Way to go, Tom!!

We caught Tom out on the course with his friends again yesterday.

We say Adieu to Wendell Johnson

BIG NEWS!!  This announcement appeared in the May issue of the Palm Creek newsletter.

 

We send a personal "Thank You" to Wendell for his years of service at Palm Creek.  Under his leadership, our "home" here has grown bigger, better, and more FUN each and every year.  He should take great pride on what he has achieved for our community.

 

Remember this photo I posted in mid March regarding the flowers on Linda Balzan's potted cactus??

 

 

Well ..... look what it did last week!!!  There were 31 blossoms in that tiny planter!  Absolutely awesome!!

 

I'm hearing some rumors about upcoming remodeling plans but nothing is confirmed yet.  I'm waiting for Mr. Dawson to fill me in on what will be happening this summer.  As soon as I hear from him, I'll be anxious to post and forward the info.  In the meantime, I've seen our crews busy at some patio projects for folks along the new Granite Drive.

 

 

Of course, if digging is involved and it requires a shovel.....there's Faustino to handle the job. 

 

On a lighter note....Don Nunley and Gene Smith have an ongoing $1 bet at our weekly poker games.  Looking at this photo, can you tell who is getting the dollar and who is getting the shaft? 

 

 

On a much more somber side, I've been asked to announce the passing of a member of our community.  Darrel Brixey sent this information regarding his wife, Linda.

Linda Marie Brixey 

Linda Marie Brixey, 65, joined the Lord on Easter morning, April 20, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.  

 

Linda was born February 25, 1949 in Seattle, Washington to Bert and Murle Julian and was the oldest of three children. In 1967, she graduated from Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, and went on to work in the billing department at McKesson and Robbins. While there Linda met and fell in love with her husband of 43 years, Darrel Brixey. They were married on August 21, 1970. In 1977 they moved to Royal City, where Linda stayed home to raise their two children, Jill and April. In 1984 they moved to Mattawa, where Linda enjoyed a 26 year tenure as the secretary of Wahluke High School.   

Upon retirement in 2011, Linda and Darrel took to the road, enjoying RV adventures together to places like Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Oregon Coast, Washington Peninsula, and Canada among many more. The loving couple began spending winters in Casa Grande, Arizona, where they forged many new friendships in the sunshine. Linda especially loved watching Darrel play softball, playing poker and dominos with friends, volunteering in the mailroom, and attending church.  She always looked forward to her yearly trips to Bonneville with her close friend Susan, and above all, spending time with her family. Linda was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend.  She will be greatly missed for her wonderful spirit, unwavering faith in God, and true compassion for others. 

 

Those who wish to contact Darrel may do so at this address:

 

Darrel Brixey

PO Box 4188

West Richland, WA 99353

lulu_49@hotmail.com