We spent half of December enjoying more of Usery Park. More and more campers from Canada are arriving. Even more lovebirds. We went through another 50 pounds of bird seed – even though the lovebirds got a bit “p*ssy” about cheap Costco food until we spiced it up with sunflower seeds.
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| This picture is in again. At our last spot in Usery - the lovebirds ignored us. On the day we packed up, they hit the feeders. Made us want to stay longer! |
We learned a lot about this unique camper being pulled by a Vespa. When we saw him at Usery, it was his first trial. Think it was successful for him! Here's a video of his first trip:
***
Dean
really missed playing RailRoad at Valle Del Oro. We were banned from the park due to COVID protocol
until we were residents so....there we went.
Not much packing involved as it is only 7 miles from Usery.
As Chief Gandy Dancer for the railroad he found a lot of projects to get involved in.
The Chief Engineer is thrilled to see so many folk back this season that he’s planned Extra Day Runs (all the trains running for show), Extra Night Runs (all trains with lights!), RR club meetings, and RR socials. Laurie has volunteered to help rebuild/reglue/paint buildings that need help. She’s on notice that 100 RR-sized plastic people are on their way for her to paint. That should be fun. Dean and I have figured out that RR people really really are serious about making the RR look real. That is probably why Dean is in charge of the Whimsical Area with lots of fun things the kids get excited about. Like SpongeBob SquarePants, Minions, and especially Thomas the Train. At RR Runs, Dean always has a fan pack at the site.
Laurie
has filled in with classes in Windows 11 and 4 weeks of American Sign Language
(definitely not an expert – but I can “say” love, please, and thank you and
where’s the bathroom?).
***
Enjoyed a Christmas potluck outside with "Boosted" friends. We went out to dinner several times with “Boosted” friends (aka Houseboaters) at safe restaurants. Out to see a movie – mid-afternoon with all the other old folks. Trip to the other side of Phoenix (1+ hours) to see another former Houseboater.
Two concerts here at the park
with safe seating.
Our friend Cyndy Munday took on an extremely detailed job of creating a High Tea for the residents of Dreamland housing development in Mesa for Dreamland’s 60th anniversary.
What a show! – almost two hours of well done skits, jokes, dancing. Fun.
Sonny and Cher, Boots made for Walking, singing waiters, Julia Child, and granny, Leader of the Pack and much more.
And it came with tea (of course) and little sandwiches and chocolate and tiramisu. I took pix for Cyndy and someone else took video. We’ve ordered a copy of the DVD. ***
January was “Sail Away” month at VDO. Lot’s of sailing themed activities. Flags, concerts, movies. Not sure how this fit in but Laurie was there for the grand ribbon-cutting of the bathrooms….
Followed
by mimosas and breakfast. How lucky we
are!!
***
Weather has been better than normal in Mesa. A few overnight freezes. A few rainy days. Gleefully listened to the rotten weather back home and so glad we aren’t there!
Expect
more activities in February and we are feeling pretty safe with the KN95s. Very thankful that the folks we have always
called close are boosted.
