Another Day in the PC Life

Thank you to Lynn Dodds for sending me the photos of the duck families!!  I haven't seen the babies yet but I just knew folks who live on the golf course would send a photo.  Thanks again!  I've had a couple people write to me and ask whatever became of the nest I photographed a while back.

More cactus photos I took as I ride along on my bike or golf cart.   They never get boring for me.  

 

 

I'm also fascinated by the different palm type plants around the resort.  They get some strange flowers and fruits.  As my Dad used to say..."Take time to look at the details."  Enjoy the wonders of Mother Nature.

 

This cactus is really a rare beauty!  Never saw one like this before with its fantastic huge yellow flowers.  Check it out at Site 1525 on Lone Star Lane.  I haven't met the residents there but I hope they'll be proud to show off their prize plant.

 

WOW!!  Check out these architectural drawings which depict what our new Bistro will be like.  These are on display up in the sales office.  There will be seating for 100 people at an outdoor Bistro area.  Nice big fire pits and a fireplace to keep us warm in the winter.  

 

Also on the construction agenda is more work at the pickleball courts.  More lighting is being installed so we'll have a total of 16 lighted courts.  They're also putting up poles along the inner walkway so shade can be provided.  There'll be over 270' of shaded walkway.  Yahoo!

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How about some clean holy humor to brighten your day:

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A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter.

Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."

When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."

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There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."

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While driving in Pennsylvania , a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust."

No Damage

It is 8:01 a.m.  Don and I just returned from a complete tour around the park to look for any wind damage from yesterday's weather.  Found a few loose shingles on a shed, a few overturned  flower pots, and some fly away rugs but nothing to be concerned about.  This stop sign just needs a little TLC.  Everyone here will be spending the morning at clean up, however, because we have LOTS of dirt, dust, mud to clean up.  Our car, golf cart....and whole patio need a bath but we rejoice for the precious rain we received.  After listening to the weather news....we were very lucky compared to the midwest!  Have a GREAT day.

From your local weather reporter............over and out.

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I received this nice note from Bobbi this morning:

Monday

I stopped by Steve's house today, and ... he was home- with his full body brace and his walker! I stopped by with the food my tenants had left in my park model, and some of the canned goods I know I will not use before I leave. Give Steve or his wife Leticia a call and drop by with any of the food left in your fridge as you head back home. Steve's wife Leticia's cell is 520-414-6705, or Steve's cell, as we all know, is 520-414-3322.  Steve is scheduled for no activity for the next 90 days and already frustrated and bored.

Bobbi Seabolt

Quite a Blustery Day Today

Hi Everybody--

We didn't blow away today but it certainly was windy!  We had gusts up to 45 mph with plenty of blowing dust and dirt.  Those of us still here will be out cleaning our patios tomorrow.  Tonight (about 8:00) we had RAIN!  It was certainly a surprise as it wasn't even in the forecast.  We always appreciate our rare rain but tonight it caught a lot of us off guard.  We had a nice turn out for Bingo because of the big jackpot but when we left to go home......we left in some pretty heavy rain and wind and COLD temperatures.  Brrrr.  It's all the way down to 58 degrees right now.  Many of us got plenty wet on the way home.

Rain or no rain, I'm betting that Bill Nagy went home happy as he single handedly won the HUGE bingo jackpot of $1,000.  Congratulations, Bill!  He is a very deserving winner as he has been on the bingo committee and has been one of the callers for many years.  It was a great way to end the season.  

Don and I will be out on patrol early tomorrow morning to look for any damage around the park.  I don't think we'll find anything but we like to cruise around and look anyway.  

This morning we came across this cute mama killdeer as she guarded her nest.  These birds lay their eggs right out in an open gravel area.  They blend in very well so are well camouflaged but it certainly doesn't look like a safe nesting spot.  She stood perfectly still as we approached so we didn't want to scare her away.

Mama Roadrunner has a nest built in one of the small trees right in the middle of a parking lot here in the park.  She is so well hidden that its hard to see her.  Can't wait to see the chicks!

Thank you to Jean Riseland for sending me these photos of the sheep as they were herded down Henness Road right past our resort.  This happens once or twice a year and we've been lucky that someone from the park gets a good photo or video.  It's rather a rare sight.

STEVE ENDSLEY UPDATE:

We're happy to report that Steve is home from the hospital.  He'll be trussed up in his body and neck braces for the next three months.  Thank you to EVERYONE for your loving and caring thoughts for Steve and his family.  It is going to be hard for Steve to sit still and behave himself while his bones mend so we wish him well.  

I've heard a number of residents say that they are putting their projects on hold until Steve recovers but I know some of you have chores that must get done soon.  We have a new handyman in the area that we're lucky to find.  You can call Dan Stroud at 520-252-7934.  

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I don't post too many items about golf since my clubs haven't been out of the bag for the last 10 years or so but I frequently receive some stuff you might enjoy viewing.  

Top 10 Hole In One Events

Golfing Goof Ups

Have a great day!

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P.S.  So who is the friendly secretive Easter bunny who left that lovely chocolate bunny on my patio??  I've questioned everyone and haven't found the secret donor yet.  It's driving me crazy!!  Fess up.  Thank you whoever you are.  It was delicious!  

Nocturnal Excursion with Wild Man Phil

I hauled Don along on another one of my adventures.  This time we hopped aboard a safari of SUVs with Wild Man Phil and his crew.  I asked Phil to pose as Tarzan of the Desert.  He's a fun KNOWLEDGEABLE entertainer and tour guide!
 
Part of the adventure is the ride itself.  About 20 of us "Creekers" piled into the vans and headed for the dusty wilderness.

 
This was our major stop where we scouted the area for petroglyphs, admired some of the cactus flowers and vegetation and waited for nightfall.

 
One of our young energetic tour drivers climbed to the summit to admire the view.

Nice zoom lens!

This rock looks like someone's doodle pad.

 

 We found some strange looking desert plants in bloom.  All the hedgehog cactus were in full bloom with their pretty purple flowers....and I can't believe I didn't take a single picture of them!!!  Sorry.

 
We enjoyed the sights as dusk enveloped us.

Nightfall arrived.  Phil and his crew handed out flashlights and black lights so we could go hunting for scorpions.  WOW!!  I was amazed at how these critters really glow under that light.  We discovered several different kinds and Phil provided an educational story about each one.

 
Rosemary was brave and volunteered to hold one of the critters.

 
This was a pretty big one.

 

 
Phil is quite the entertainer and had this guy well into his mouth !!!!!!  

 
Next speciman spotted was this long-nosed snake.  Quite a colorful guy.

 
We (some of us anyway) took turns holding the snake for a photo opportunity.

This rattlesnake was a different story though.

Another interesting stop was at an old stagecoach site with a couple old buildings and fences still in place.  We carefully entered the buildings to see who was residing there now.  There were a good number of bats so Phil and crew got out their nets and caught a specimen to examine.

This baby tarantula was another resident we found.  There were some very strange looking insects and beetles too so it was interesting to hear a full description and story of each from Phil.  Black widow spiders were quite abundant.

It wasn't just the cri77ers that made this trip so pleasant.  The night sky away from the city lights is just beautiful.  We spent lots of quiet time just admiring the stars.

You can put this adventure tour on your bucket list for next season.  If you haven't been to one of Phil's presentations here, be sure and make a point to attend.  He is a VERY entertaining and knowledgeable speaker.  He calls his talks "Edutainment".

Steve Endsley Update

I talked with Steve Endsley again this morning.  He is in a full body brace and a big neck brace but they have him sitting in a chair today and he is finally out of ICU.  At this point, they aren't doing any surgery but he will be in this huge double brace for a minimum of three months with a nice big supply of pain meds.    I feel so sorry for him!! (and his family).  This is really a tough situation for a construction worker who is sole support for his family.

Steve has many friends here in the park that he has done handyman projects for in the past few years.  Folks call me almost every day to check on his progress.  We are setting up a fund for Steve through a local organization called Seeds of Hope.  It is sponsored by all of the local churches.  Funds can be donated expressly for Steve.  (Thank you to Bobbi Seabolt for organizing the fund.)

You can send a tax deductible donation expressly for Steve.  Write the check to "Seeds of Hope" but be sure to write "for Steve Endsley" on the memo line of the check.  

Address:
          Seeds of Hope
          c/o Steve Endsley fund
          702 E. Cottonwood
          Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Steve Endsley Status

Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  Steve Endsley of Endsley Handyman Services seems to be one of those good people.  It is highly unusual to post personal information on this blog, but Steve performed many services for MANY people here in our resort.  He has been the "go to" guy for when we need help with those odd chores around the house.  He does everything from building sheds, landscaping, plumbing, moving appliances, hanging ceiling fans, etc.  The list goes on and on.  

This past Saturday, Steve took a tumble from an ATV ride.  His neck is broken plus two broken vertebrae in his back.  He is PAINFULLY recovering at the Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix where he is waiting to find out if more surgery is required.  The doctor says he's a lucky man as at this point, at least he can "wiggle his toes" and that's a good sign for the recovery road ahead.  

Steve asked me to contact some of the customers he has lined up here in the park and regretfully spread the word that he won't be back to work at least for a couple months and all those summer projects he promised are on hold.

To all of you that know Steve, I hope you'll take time to send him a friendly greeting and let him know we're thinking of him and wishing him well.  Cards and letters can be mailed to his home address as I'm sure his family (wife and three children) will make sure the cards and gifts are delivered.  

Steve Endsley

1209 East Ontario Court

Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Financial Contributions will be handled through the Seeds of Hope and are tax deductible.  Write a check to "Seeds of Hope" but be sure to put "Steve Endsley" on the memo line or in the card.

Send your donation to:

Seeds of Hope
c/o Steve Endsley
702 Cottonwood
Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Here they come

Here come the spring flowers!  Some of our desert cactus plants are starting to show their colors.  Aren't they pretty?

 
I love this deep orange color.

 

 
This plant appears to have at least a billion buds and flowers.

 

 
Some lucky photographer had his/her camera ready at just the right moment to catch this photo of John Ross and his balloon as he passed low over the course last week. 
 (Sorry I don't have a name to acknowledge credit.)