Some Animals

Here is a coyote jumping into our backyard.  We were both home just reading and never even knew this happened.  Luckily the camera is working again 

This squirrel was just "standing" on these branches amongst the prickly pear cactus.  I zoomed in and this was the best shot I could get.  He stayed there for a long time.

And here is a single shot the camera took of the same coyote.  

What all 96 year olds do for fun

Here is Van working on his sister's toilet.  There has been a leak that he keeps "fixing".

He takes many trips to the hardware store for new parts, and there is still a leak.  I'm not sure why they don't call a plumber, one who is under 80, to fix it.

But at least he has no problem getting himself up and down from a small space.  A lot of older people can't get up from the floor anymore.  Obviously this is the most exciting thing I could post this week.

A Scottsdale Field Trip

The trip started out when we met our bus at 8am.  We got there at 7:45 and the bus was 80% full already.  These retirees always get to things early.  Then it was a 2 hour drive to Scottsdale to the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction at the Westworld conference center.

These auctions are only held in four states, AZ, NV, CT, and FL.  There were thousands of people checking out all these new and vintage cars, trucks, boats and vendors.

I think Hot Wheels said they were celebrating their 50th anniversary.  I picked up a commemorative Hot Wheels car.  Don't know who will play with it.

The most fun was when we got to ride along with a professional driver on a race track, really fast!  This was the mustang I rode in.  It was a little scary around the curves, but fun.

Here is Dave getting out of his race car.  He loved it.  Going home on the bus was a bit of an adventure since the bus driver forgot two people.  We had to turn back, in tons of rush hour traffic, and go retrieve the missing.  Luckily it only added 25 minutes to the drive.

Finished Kitchen Counters

So these are the new counters, changed from the previous 4" tiles.  This is my aunt Tina talking with the plumber who set up their new sink.

Remember this before photo?

This gives me a good idea about what type of counters we will get when we replace our current 4" tile with a solid surface.

Happy Hour Putting

Today was our first day joining this putting group.  Dave had to show me how to use the putter and gave me tips that all the pros use.

It only took about 45 minutes to "play" all 18 holes on this putting green.  It was really just like miniature golf, without the water hazards.

It does make for a nice late afternoon activity.  I was hoping some deer would come out and watch, but I didn't see any today.  Then everyone just walked to the clubhouse and either had dinner or drinks.  I think we will keep doing this on Mondays.

Kitchen Counters

These are photos from my aunt and uncle's house.  Today they began the first step in the kitchen remodel which was to remove the tile from the counters.  I am posting this because I have the same kitchen, except my 4" tiles are white, not beige.

Tile removal does not look fun.  We are  not going to do this part when when switch our countertops.

This is one part of the quartz countertop that was strapped to the workmen's truck.   Ready for installation.  It looks like this is going to be a two day job. 

We are planning switching from tile to a solid surface countertop within the next few months.

I'll post more photos once their job is complete.

The Fox and the Mouse

Or is is a packrat?  Seems a bit big for a mouse.  First is a nice still shot, then two videos of a fox chasing, playing with, and catching a rodent.  This all happened around 1:30 a.m. in our backyard last night.  Finally, a good animal sighting.

The Mountains are Pink

Same owls.  Same location.  It's so nice to be able to count on this pair to be where we expect them each evening before dinnertime.  They have been really active with their hooting.  I don't know if that has anything to do with breeding.  It would be nice to see some fledglings one day.

The other nightly ritual is hearing someone say - "Oh, the mountains are pink!  Time to drink!"  Everyone is Saddlebrooke must know this poem, and they are all happy to repeat it, all the time.

Deer Camp Hike and Owl in the Morning

Here in a Great Horned Owl on top of the chimney of our neighbor, two doors down.  It was hooting quite actively at 7am.  A few minutes later it joined it's mate in a tree across the street.  Then a golf cart scared them off.

Tons of cows!  We came upon these guys during our 6 mile hike to Deer Camp.  

I'd never seen so many cows on a hike before.  We also had the good luck of seeing a Coatimundi.  But once he saw us he quickly took off.  I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of him but here is a photo I found on the internet - just to get an idea of what we saw.  He was larger than a raccoon.

January Bingo

Bingo is only held once a month, so it's a big deal.  Usually close to 200 people show up.  And the ratio of women to men is about what you'd expect - 25:1.  My aunt and I still have not won a Bingo in three plus seasons of playing.

Most of the players have gray hair.  No one under 18 allowed!

My aunt and friend busily getting our cards ready for the games.

96th Birthdays Don't Come Around Too Often!

We went to Red Lobster in Oro Valley, per request by the birthday boy, for dinner with "the gang".  After much confusion figuring out the menu (with everyone who was over 75) they finally ordered and enjoyed their meals.

Going from left to right, here are everyone's ages:  86, 85, 96, 60, 85, 82, 88, 77, 82.  Only three of those people no longer drive.  Pretty impressive group!

Weaver's Needle

Our first 2018 hike with the Hiking Club proved to be an exhausting one.  We made it without anyone falling but it was a lot of elevation gain.  This is the iconic shot of Weaver's Needle which is in the Superstition mountains.

Dave taking a break with Bernie, an almost 80 year old hiker.

More views from the top.

My favorite shots always include the Saguaro cactus.

Saguaro Lake

We took a field trip up to Mesa and had a narrated "cruise" on the Desert Belle boat.  There were over 100 people on this 90 minute ride.  It's a beautiful, man made lake and full of bass.  It looked like a great place to fish.

Is it a car or a boat?  Looks like fun!

Funny things you see

If you look closely you will notice the garage door, askew.  Also, notice the duck tape on the back of the car.

It appears, based on the evidence, that the car wasn't all the way in the garage when the door came crashing down on the rear of the car.  It was funny only because it hasn't happened to us, yet!