Monthly Archives: June 2023

Jun30

Friday June 30

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Friday June 30

In another lifetime I’d be taking my kids to pick up report cards and then we’d be off to Chuck E Cheese. Why does it seem like just yesterday when it was decades ago?

I had a Bible study on Zoom this morning. Then I edited the piece for my next writers group meeting. A productive morning. One more thing on the agenda and I need to stop procrastinating. I’ve been looking at flights to Winnipeg and the times and connections are awful. It’s easy to get to Mexico from Sea-Tac but not to Canada, especially not Winnipeg.

It’s a holiday weekend. Canada Day tomorrow. July 4th here on Tuesday so sadly no Tai Chi. It’s hard keeping track of what’s open and what’s closed. But fireworks are definitely on for Tuesday, as long as there are no more fires close by again. There have been a few already although it’s early in the season.

Yesterday I did my recertification as a SAIL instructor. Hard to believe I’m in my seventh year teaching. I subbed again in Leavenworth for two weeks. Although it’s not a big class it’s still my favorite class. Three of the ladies have been in my class for six years. They live in Mountain Meadows now but are still very active.

I was just outside with the munchkins and it is hot out there. They weren’t interested in staying out there very long. They were quite content to come back in and crash on their doggie beds in the air-conditioned house.

Who’s going to see the new Indiana Jones movie? I plan on doing that.

Happy Holiday Weekend! Stay hydrated and stay safe!

Jun24

Saturday Sentiments

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Saturday Sentiments

I just spent the morning taking photos off my phone and backing them up to two of my three external hard drives. The third one I left in Washington when I returned to Mexico last fall and it hasn’t resurfaced yet. While I enjoy taking photos, I despise the tedious task of organizing them into folders afterwards and backing them up. Alexa, why can’t I train you to do that?

It’s been quite a week. The main headline this week was all about the implosion of the Titan. A horrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with people who lost loved ones this week. Another terrible accident claimed the lives of sixteen seniors in Manitoba and nine still remain in hospital in serious condition.

Yay Washington State! It’s official. We have the highest gas prices in the nation!

I had a busy week. Two trips to Leavenworth to teach SAIL. Tai Chi classes and writers’ group. My characters have been quite animated so I’ve been doing a fair amount of writing this week as well. I’ve also had to do some medical research related to my book.

I’m halfway to my 180 so I’m starting to think about traveling. Canada is on my mind once again this summer before I return to Mexico in the fall.

Happy Birthday Kelsey. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow.

Jun19

A Tough Week

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A Tough Week

“And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.” James Russell Lowell.

June stopped being my favorite month of the year decades ago. And this week is one of my least favorite of all.

June 17th. Ten years ago on that date I had my second knee surgery.

June 18th. Eleven years ago on that date I had my first knee surgery.

Of course Sunday was also Father’s Day. My dad died back in 1977 so it hasn’t been a day to celebrate for me in a long time.

Today is June 19th. On this day back in 1996 my mom died. And on June 21st we buried her.

Nope. Definitely not a great week. But I do try to look at more positive things, like going to Tai Chi classes and going to writers group. Those will be my highlights this week.

Last night Linda told me she’d reserved tickets for us for Leavenworth Summer Theater. That’s also a positive for this week. Joyce and I went for a lovely walk on the Apple Loop Trail again over the weekend, so that was another positive.

There’s always a silver lining in every cloud. You just have to look for it, although sometimes it’s harder to find than other times.

Have a great week out there!

Jun15

Why Did I Do That

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Why Did I Do That

I was sitting at the mall the other day and had a few minutes before my ride arrived. Why not? I’ll scroll through Facebook. I haven’t done that in a while. It didn’t take long before I remembered why I seldom do this. There are only twenty-four hours in a day and scrolling through Facebook is just too much of a timewaster. I prefer to interact with people in person, a far better option that merely reading post after post of mostly useless information.

Don’t people have anything better to do than to share a gazillion posts a day? Or to throw pity parties? Or to tell the world what they ate for lunch or dinner? And then there are the pics they post! Sometimes I honestly hope they get photoshopped and shared with the world on porn sites. And stop whining about politics, religion or how crazy our world is.

Instead of hiding away and living your life on social media, get with the program. There are real people out there who you could be talking to and spending time with. Go for a walk together. Go out for coffee. Go shopping. Do something worthwhile with that valuable time in your life.

What’s the best place in the house to hide from ghosts? The living room. Thank you Alexa. Even that corny joke is more intelligent than what some people post on Facebook.

Jun12

Apple Loop and Gladsong

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Apple Loop and Gladsong

I am not a hiker. I do not own a pair of hiking boots or poles. I prefer to do my walking on paved surfaces rather than on trails of unstable terrain. I was absolutely delighted to discover the Apple Loop right here in East Wenatchee where the surface is paved. Of course there are still other creatures to watch out for, such as rattlesnakes, but this is a 10 mile trail that is on both sides of the Columbia River near Wenatchee.

The day was partially cloudy and a cooler one as Joyce and I arrived on Saturday. Truthfully we hoped it wasn’t going to rain. The trail is well marked, including caution advisories about getting stranded on the gravel bars should the water suddenly surge. No. We did not do the full ten miles. But we are determined to return and explore more of this trail.

Last night the venue was Christ Center in Cashmere. My friend Charlene invited me to a concert by Gladsong. The name chosen for this choir is most appropriate. All members were definitely glad to be up there singing. And could they ever sing! I had expected to hear mainly Christian hymns and was quite surprised to hear their renditions of other tunes popularized by Queen and Chicago.

This is only the second year that Gladsong have been performing and they are spectacular. The funds they raise at their concert go towards charitable organizations. They recently performed in support of Ukrainian refugees and their next upcoming concert is at Ohme gardens. Last night the proceeds went to ministries at the church.

Those were two of the highlights of my weekend. How was yours?

Jun7

I Highly Recommend

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I Highly Recommend

One of my favorite things to do when I’m up here in the summer is to go to the theater and watch movies in English. When I’m in Mexico my focus is on improving my Spanish, so I don’t tend to watch movies in English.

Last weekend we went to see Book Club The Next Chapter. I loved it! This movie was hilarious and even better than the first one. Three days later and I’m still laughing. Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen were in their prime in this movie. All the other characters were very well-cast too. The music was fabulous and the scenery was spectacular. This is a must see for this summer.

Another movie we saw was Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. Author Judy Blume even had a cameo in this movie. Blume has been writing children’s’ books since 1959 and the adaptation of this one to film was exceptionally well done. This is a great movie for children and adults alike. Be sure to check out this one.

The Little Mermaid is another movie I’d like to take in this summer. I’ve heard a great deal of controversy about this one so I’m curious to see what all the fuss is about. The storyline and the music were amazing in the original film back in 1989.

I highly recommend taking in a movie, especially if you live in a climate like East Wenatchee where temperatures are soaring into the high 80s and low 90s. The air-conditioned theaters are more than welcoming.