Sunrise, fun with friends, and the Olympics

I've had another good week in the park, quiet for the most part and restful. I am feeling a little guilty that I can't finish up the painting on the pool walls - after some plumbing needed to be re-done the back wall needs to be repainted - but no one else seems to be fussed about it. 

However, I am seeing some progress, as I am able to walk for longer periods of time. I won't be entering any kind of race, but less pain and more stamina is encouraging. I keep reminding my friend L told me it could take up to six weeks to completely heal. 

The new header was taken on Tuesday morning. It was the best of the sunrises that I've seen thus far. I wandered around the park a bit looking for a spot where I could capture a shot without the many wires in the air. A recent resident pulled out their unit a few weeks ago and her space was just the spot I was looking for! 

The view from my unit isn't nearly as nice, though it was still gorgeous.

We have had three units removed this year. The hoarder one next door, the unit where I took the photo, and the third was a family owned unit that was in rough shape. My understanding is, when the previous owners transferred/sold it to family members the second couple never stayed in it due to the condition. When I was looking last winter, J had taken me to view it, and I don't think I stayed inside longer than a couple of minutes. It was baaadddd!

We had eight of us for Canasta on Wednesday so played two tables of four. I am starting to understand the strategy, have a basic understanding of the point counting (though that is taking longer) and really enjoy the game. The company is pretty good too.

The wordless photo was a dead cricket I found outside the door. I originally thought it was a grasshopper, but Google lens informed it was a type of cricket which brought some relief.  One of the park owners told me a few weeks ago, that where there are grasshoppers there are often scorpions. I can handle a cricket or a grasshopper but draw the line at the thought of a scorpion. I've since been told, scorpions don't come this far into the city. 

On Thursday we had our weekly coffee hour. We had a smaller crowd than normal, just 25, but the comradery was still interesting, and loud! There has been talk of re-doing the wall coverings to muffle the noise but I don't think it will ever happen. H and I had made plans to go through the rest of the books in the hall library after coffee, but I when I saw her jump up and head out early, I went with her.

We were able to reduce the number of hard cover books by about half. Only books written after 1999 were kept, most of the older books and anything that was in rough shape were moved to the recycling bin. There was about a dozen that were older but good enough shape (and generally popular authors) that we boxed up and sent to the thrift with S later in the day.

Back at home I updated our spreadsheet for the social club and then went out to get a few supplies for next week's coffee hour. Since I was at the store, I picked a few items for myself, eggs, a cucumber, a head of lettuce, and a package of ground beef. A dozen eggs was about $3, the cucumber was $0.68, the head of iceberg lettuce was $1.88, and a pound of lean ground was $8.27. I'm finding meat here very expensive compared to the prices we pay at home. On the other hand vegetables are much less. Of course, purchasing for just one is a lot less costly overall than my grocery bills at home.

Much of the week, I've been watching the Olympics. Unfortunately I can't find any coverage from Canada, so have to rely on news reports and other websites. Unless, of course, the USA is playing against the individuals or teams from Canada. Our women's hockey team had a horrid game against the USA, our mixed doubles curling team lost too. 

On Friday morning it rained! Not much and not for long, but it made the air feel very refreshing. I always open the door in the morning, leaving the screen door closed to air out the unit and it was so nice. 

Later, I had an appointment for an oil change at one of the local garages, Accurate Automotive. They were quiet that morning, and I was in and out in less than 45 minutes. From there I went to a couple of thrift stores, finding a few items. The best purchase was a roll of cork - I need it to add to the tiles I purchased, so I can use them as coasters. Perhaps I'll even make my own bulletin board to put on the side of the fridge. I have more than enough with this roll, so I'll be taking it home. For certain, D and I can find uses for it there too!

Today, we're heading to the Country Roads RV resort for their monthly garage sale. I don't know that I need anything in particular, but hanging out with the other women is a lot of fun. It's always interesting to see what is on offer. We can be fussy though, and not stop if, as we drive by, we decide that it's all guy stuff. :) Unless, of course, one of the fellows here in the park has told us what he's looking for. After our friend L, purchased a walker for her husband, another resident, F, asked us to keep an eye out for something similar. She found one, and he's been out walking every day and uses it to carry his garbage or recycling to the bin. He's looking so much more stable on his feet - it's wonderful to see.

Happy Valentine's Day, and have a great week ahead everyone!