Carrizo Canyon

December 31 Friday 2010 Indio the last day of the year.

I have 18 people hiking with me to Carrizo Canyon as this trail is closed for the season as Big horn sheep give birth in this area. A perfect day for a hike. We see some flowers in bloom, a pack rats condo and a native morter hole. Nothing special was planned at the park for New Years so 6 of us played pokino. Bill was in bed by 10pm me by 11:30

REMEMBER- the most valuable antiques are dear old friends.

someone calles a deck of cards and you put pennies on somewhat like bingo plus bonus pots

December 30 Thursday 2010 Indio

Today is Brian's computer class. In the morning. Food shopping in the afternoon. And Pokino at night nothing exciting today

REMEMBER-learn to not let compliments go through your head nor criticism to your heart

murals in Indio

December 29 Wednesday 2010 Indio

today is tag along day. I lead them to old town Indio to see the murals. We checkout 3 thrift stores on the way . We also check out the Collectors corner. The library for a bathroom break then the China Bristo for lunch. We tried to go to the seniors center but it was closed due to the Christmas holidays.

REMEMBER-a treasured memory lives on forever.

hiking moon country

December 28 Tuesday 2010 Indio

Hiking day today. We go to the Coachella Valley preserve to hike both the McCallam trail and moon country. Weather was perfect for hiking I had 10 people.

REMEMBER- make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present .

December 27 Monday 2010 Indio

I have a computer class. I bring musical cd's from the libruary and we download them onto our computer. Then we make a play list of our favorite songs from different Cd's and burn them onto a blank Cd. Everyone was amazed how all the information even the disc cover shows on our computer when we are on line. I show them how to listen to their music when browsing on line.

REMEMBER -cry with someone it is more healing than crying alone.

my Christmas snowflakes all around my windows

December 26 Sunday 2010 Indio

We sleep in. I work on notes for my classes. I loose miserably at pokino tonight

REMEMBER -one cannot recover the person after they die.

yes that large ball is a lemon

December 25 Saturday 2010 Indio Merry Christmas everyone.

Our neighbour across the way has a large gathering, 30-40 people. We were invited too but had a commitment. A lot of people from BC. Christmas dinner is at Ken and Lindas.Ken took the time to round up citrus fruit from his neighbourhood. How thoughtful. We begin with sushi brought by Bob and Arlene. Dinner ended with cherry flaming jubilee. Yum

REMEMBER -those who look only to the present or past are certain to miss the future.

Bill's christmas decorations outside

December 24 Friday 2010 Indio

Today the park has it's Christmas dinner so staff can be with family Christmas day. We do not go. Bill does laundry I get class lessons ready for next week. I want to teach people how to make backup cd's for files, music and photos. We will learn about ripping and burning. I went to the library and got music CD's so we can make our own private Cd with a mixed variety and many more songs the a bought CD.

REMEMBER -One can never recover the stone once thrown

December 23 Thursday 2010 Indio

I go to Brian's computer class on free software. I also get some issues fixed. Brian is very knowledgeable on the high techniques of computers. Weather is back to normal sunshine sunshine. Pokino at night . I have a couple come all the way from Thousand Palms to play.

REMEMBER-the trouble with life is there is no background music.

December 22 Wednesday 2010 Indio

Today was a tag along to El Paso .but the rain again has played havoc. First many roads are closed and El Paseo had a power outage. So we meet and I give out maps and shopping areas information. I make notes for next weeks Plans of computer help ,hiking and a tag along. Bill goes to Fantasy Alaska tours. The forecast for next week is favorable.

REMEMBER If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it

December 21 Tuesday 2010 Indio

Tuesday are hiking days but the treat of rain stops us as I planned Carrizo canyon and we hike a wash , not a good idea if it is going to rain. Palm Springs is having major problems with the rain . Indio is not too bad. My hikers meet at 9:30 and I give them maps of some of my favorite hike in the Coachella Valley area and tell them the highlights with notes.

REMEMBER-take a deep breath it calms the mind

December 20 Monday 2010

Today I give a computer fun class. I introduce people to Picasa a free photo editing program. They are really excited about what I show them and are impressed in how user friendly the program is. www.picasa.com I also show them Photo story 3 another free program where one can make a cd with your photos, add music and voice and titles. www.photostory3.com I also introduce them to Smile Box a photo card from Hallmarks also free. www.smilebox.com It is trying to rain. I loose miserably at Pokino tonight
REMEMBER-whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger

December 19 Sunday 2010 Indio

we have dinner for Hudson and Dina and Ken and Linda. We catch up on the Latest. Weather still iffie. Warm but no real sun . Still better than home. I decorate for Christmas – snowflakes .Bill puts up Xmas lights outside .Now It feels more like Christmas.

REMEMBER-over prepare, then go with the flow.

Oasia date farm lots of samples . we also have a date shake yum.

bat caves

December 18 Saturday 2010 Indio

Bill drives me to the bat caves near the Salton Sea . I am scouting this out for a hike in January. Bill hikes with me. We stop at the visitors center too. Yes they are still giving free kayaking on Sunday and birding Saturday mornings at 8am. We stop in at the Oasis date farm for lunch. Weather is a little cooler than normal. Hudson and Dina are due to arrive today. We have not heard from them yet.

REMEMBER-be eccentric now don't wait for old age to wear purple.

El paseo

December 17 Friday 2010 Indio

today I scout El Paseo drive by myself before my tag along on Wednesday. I check out new stores and find many others closed. I particularly liked a Tapestry gallery and work by Stephen Knutson. I also found a new children's store- The lumpy bunny. The Coda gallery does not have the inlaid motorbike but has a couple of ordinary bikes made with inlaid wood , a typewriter and clothes. I win again at pokino tonight.

REMEMBER-the most important sex organ is the brain.

December 16 Thursday 2010 Indio

Today we hike Carrizo Canyon in the Santa Rosa preserve. It tries to rain but never really materializes. I have a couple from Edmonton who were great photographers. Here are some of his pictures.

REMEMBER- no one is in charge of your happiness but you.

December 15 Wednesday 2010 Indio

Moving day arrive in Indian Waters and pick our spot for 3 months. The activity director remembered to post my hikes for the week. And every thing I planned to do is OK. ( 2 hikes a week ,a computer class and a tag along once a week and pokino at night. All is well with the world.

REMEMBER-growing old beats the alternative----dying young

December 14 Tuesday 2010 Yuma

It is farmers market in old town Yuma today so off we go. Some good venders but I do not really need anything. We go to Mad Chef for lunch, always a good lunch we both end up taking some home. I go to Fantasy tours Africian tour presentation and it brought back good memories. I break even at pokino tonight.

REMEMBER-everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

December 13 Monday 2010 Yuma

Today we get ready to move to Indian Waters Indio. Bill does the laundry and I decide to clean the day night shades and vacuum. We go to Larry and Jackies for happy hour. I play pokino . They will be glad to get rid of me as I win a lot of pots again.

REMEMBER-all work and no play can make you a basket case.

Gold Rock Ranch an interesting place. Alot of information on the ghost town Tumco. no admission fee we gave a donation as there was alot to see. one turned right on Hwy 8 left went to Tumco. a good dirt road.

Tumco ghost town