Coffee and donuts are an early morning weekly treat at Palm Creek. We have an opportunity to meet sponsors who represent their, and our activities office lets us know about all the upcoming events and activities.
Wednesday is the day for Lunch on the patio. We even have entertainment now.
The same Spring storm , last year prevented us from seeing some of my family, as well. We were able to see my son Robert and Jess but we were headed out of town before I got in touch with my grandchildren Barbara and Travis. I made myself a promise that we be sure to see them this trip. So Saturday we all met at Fargo's, (an old favorite when they were all kids) for pizza and salad. It was so great to be together again. It had been far too long! The Day was perfect except that we missed Tom who lives and works in Mexico, and Bell and Teddy who live in Washington.
What a wonderful surprise these beautiful flowers were. Thank you Barbara and Travis.
Last April while we were in Colorado, the weather was so bad we ere unable to get to Fort Collins to see family. But this Friday was an unbelievably beautiful day. We lunched and visited at the Downtown Street Fair while Jenny painted on her piano. Had a great day!
Palm Creek has been a very busy place this summer. New homes have been set; activity rooms have been remodeled; the Bistro has been expanded with outdoor seating (and a fireplace); Palm Park has had a face lift and the construction of a stage is in process; and in addition the workers have the normal maintenance required before all the winter visitors return for the season. The shrubs and palms have been trimmed. Soon the, the greens will be scalped and re-seeded, and even some of the streets will be re surfaced.
As a thank you to the residents, for putting up with the dust, the heavy equipment, the banging and the contractors coming and going, the Park wanted to say "Thanks for the patience and understanding", by holding a cook out. They cooked hotdogs, burgers, and bean burgers, with all the fixin's, including drinks and desserts. The residents brought side dishes and there was more food than anyone could hope for. It was great to have many of the worker join us, and there was a prime opportunity to let them know how much they are appreciated.
Peaches are in season and time to exercise Chip's Jam making skills. Regular recipe with a few favorite spices thrown in and tastes just like "peach cobbler. Ymmmmmm!
For the past several days the weather has been somewhat cooler than those 108, 109, and 110 (and over) temperatures that you hear about on TV. Every day for the past several days they have been predicting rain that never comes. So just when we take for granted that they are once again wrong, we check the clouds to the South and discover that a wall of dust known as a HABOOB is about to hit. Sometimes the dust gets so thick that you can't even see across the street. Tonight though the HABOOB only lasted about 20 minutes and then came the rains with full force.
We have a little river running in both streets by our house. We have no storm drains to speak of except for the little drainage ditch a couple of blocks from our house. The streets will dry out very quickly but tomorrow you will be able to see the "little lakes" in the desert areas and they will probably stay for several days.
Above was to the North and was taken at the same time as the one to the South.
Texas Sage is a very popular drought hardy shrub here in Casa Grande. They bloom small lavender flowers in the summer through fall. We bought six plants to add some green to our little home, but finding just the right time to plant is sometimes a problem. At 6:45 this morning the temperature was 79 degrees. By the time Chip dug the holes and planted two small plants, the temperature had climbed to 90 degrees. So we will plant in increments. In the long run it will be worth it. Just look at the beauty they will one day produce.
The freezing and below temperatures of last winter damaged many of the shrubs and palms here in the park. The landscape crew has had their hands full trimming every tree. (are hundreds.) Most of them can be reached with the "cherry picker" but these are much too tall.
Even with all the other construction going on things will be beautiful by the time winter visitors start to arrive.
What a surprise we had in today's mail. Eleven or so warm and wonderful letters from our friends at Cedar Creek Coffee in Branson, Missouri. We miss having the most amazing fresh made cinnamon rolls and coffee with them on Tuesday mornings.