Testing Video

I've been having trouble with my Gmail account as I couldn't find some previous messages I had sent.  I researched and googled for an answer to no avail.  Then I remembered Chris Guld and her "Geeks on Tour" website so I went to her forum and asked for help.

WOW!  She introduced me to a new program called "Zoom" where we were actually like Facetime on our computers and with a click of a button she could also see my screen.  Within two minutes she solved my dilemma and showed me what I was doing wrong.

Later I scanned through her classes and stumbled on one about embedding a video on a blog.  It sounded interesting so thought I'd give it a try here.  I dislike watching a video on my blog that later takes you straight to YouTube for other videos.  This new embedding process should solve that.




Mouse probably doesn't appreciate me showing this again, but I like it.  Here's a BIG special thank you to Chris and Jim for their help.

Labor Day

Labor Day is here and we turn another calendar page to September.

With "labor" in mind, thought I'd post some pictures of the labor that occurs here daily this time of year.  Street repairs are happening all throughout the park.

And we have the wall to rebuild after the recent windy storm.

If you have one of these cactus plants in your site, it was probably in bloom for the last two weeks.

Now these shorter cactus are in bloom.

Such beautiful blossoms.  Too bad all of you aren't here to share their beauty.

We're getting ready for a big Labor Day potluck on Monday.  Barb Poole asked for volunteers to come set up the tables and chairs.  Excellent response from our residents.  They brought their muscles and got the job done quickly.  Now they're probably all home cooking their favorite dish for tomorrow.

A couple days ago, I posted a picture of a Gila Woodpecker trying to get food from our bee proof hummingbird feeder.  He has now mastered the job and is a regular visitor

Here's a short video of him in action.

Say hello to our newest member of the security team.  This is Scott who will soon be on staff during the night shift.  His 20+ years as a policeman gives credit for this position.  Welcome!!

I end this post with just a quick candid shot of your friend, Mouse.

We have a roof!!

Hallelujah!!!!  We have a patio roof again.  Thank you to Tim and Donnie from Mesa Awning.  It took them exactly 5 hours from start to finish including painting and repairing.  Awesome work team.  Tim has been with the company for 20 years!

A gila woodpecker has discovered our hummingbird feeder but he has a hard time getting to the openings on our bee guard.

Bingo!

I've been meaning to get over to the woodshop to get some pictures of the new dust collector but didn't get there yet.  I took the easy street though and copied these two photos from the Palm Creek Facebook page.

Had a great time at the American Legion Bingo hall last night.  Yahoo!!!

They had a good turn out of over 50 people so the jackpots were a little bigger.

These little acorn woodpeckers join us at the Adobe Room windows almost every afternoon.  They tap tap tap on the windows to say hello.

When not at the Adobe Room, I'm home playing Mahjong on line with friends. 

Kat keeps me company.

 Mouse is too big to crawl under the bathroom door now but there is still no privacy.

Windy night and a pool surprise!

We endured another dusty and windy haboob last night.  Remember how we were so surprised last month when a small STRONG gust of wind took off our awning but didn't damage anyone else?  Well.....last night proved the same kind of isolated winds.

Just when Fernando thought that huge outside brick wall was ready to fill with concrete, the wind did a number of damages.  

Strong wind gusts actually blew down the block wall in a couple places.

Other than the usual tipped over potted plants, we didn't see damage anywhere else around the park.

It is a busy morning for our crews as today they're replacing a leaking valve on our main water line.  We are without water from 8 till noon today.  The part being replaced is over on the corner of Mountain Mirage and Cole Circle.

Fernando Luna

 These two gents are wizards when it comes to digging with the backhoe.

Earlier this week, I posted a picture of the new building and said I didn't see much action.  Wow.  Was I ever wrong.  The area is all smoothed out and it looks like pavers will be placed all over in that area.

AND.......the swimming pool is well under way!!

We already have furniture for the future patio area.

Including a hot tub.

Little baby oleanders have been planted all along the outside wall.

We're going to need a bigger landscaping crew!

It's interesting to watch how well the new palm trees are doing.  When first planted, they just had brown stems tied in a bundle but now that the trees are getting established they are sprouting out nice fresh green fronds.