Family, Fun & Frolic - Part 1

Daughter Kristine and son-in-law Richard chauffeured us to

San Jose (about 2 1/2 hours from Citrus Heights) for 

my brother's 85th birthday celebration.

Thirty-eight family members turned up to celebrate.

L-R  Richard, myself with brother Glen and 1st cousin Gary

Brother Roy, 1st cousin Kathy and hubby Peter

Don center with 1st cousins (L) Bronwyn and (R) Kathy.

The event was catered and boy did we eat well.

I really enjoyed my lengthy visit with Roy's wife Anna.

We have known each other for 66 years.

Son-in-law Richard (L), Roy and Son Eric.

Front Row:  Hostess Chris (Roy's daughter-in-law), Joan,

Kathy, Kristine, Susan (our daughter-in-law) and cousin Bronwyn.

Just for fun, let's go back row from right to left.  Rich, (Bronwyn's husband), 

son Eric, Jim (Roy's son), Richard, John, Lisa ad Lawrence.

Looks like a big fish story going on between our son Eric and

Roy's son (and host) Jim...  We had a beautiful day with a few

high clouds and lots of sun.

That night, tucked in bed in Citrus Heights, a torrential downpour

took over for the next 30 hours.  We received 6.9" and there

were flash flood warnings for sunny CA.  That use to be a common

occurrence in AZ... but the average rainfall in Citrus Heights is

only 21.3 inches.

The following day Eric, Susan, Kristine and I headed

to the courts...  Kristine and I took 

on Eric & Susan...

Then Susan & Kristine challenged

Eric and I.  Eric is 6'3" and Kristine is 5'10"  so this

was in my favor...

Susan makes a great back hand shot and another game is over.

Richard showed up a little later & "Mom" rotated out so the

"young kids" could have a few games together....

Eric "smarted" off when Don took the family photo,

which brought on Kristine's famous "chicken laugh". 

 

Susan is a fabulous cook and they brought dinner with them,  

so we headed back to our house to pig out.  BBQ steak, 

warm German potato salad, (her Mom's recipe), plus a big tossed salad 

& Costco Cookies!!!

Part 2 will cover Granddaughter Cassie's wedding activities,

which start tomorrow, Oct 27 and conclude on the

wedding day, Oct 29, 2021.

 

Birds of a Feather...

I didn't know if I should call this blog 

"the early bird gets the worm" because all this

picture taking took place on my early morning walk.

However I opted for the "fluffier" version!!!

No fluff or feathers for this Bird of Paradise,  but my camera couldn't resist

the spectacular  colors in the early morning light.

Three wild turkeys preferred not to take a dip, but they

can swim and even fly but don't do it very often.  They

prefer to trot away when you get too close.

A Mallard and his mate.  Their ducklings are fully capable

of swimming as soon as they are hatched, but I didn't see any

this morning.

This guy was still napping in shallow water, but

woke itself up when it it bumped into the rocky shore.

Another pair drifted gracefully sway away trying not to "quackle" to

loudly.  That's duck talk for a chicken's cackle!!!

 

And last but not least, these preening geese let their young ones continue

their morning swim, which sounded good to me,

 but humans are not allowed in this lake..  It's for the birds.

 

CA - Where it all Started - Part 2

Citrus Heights is not new to us.  Don and I moved into our

first home  here when we got married 52 years ago...

A few years later we moved up the street and around the

corner to a new development of very contemporary homes built 

by Streng Brothers. Today while 

making another run to Lowe's,  we encountered a detour

 that took us right by both of those prior residences, so of course,

I snapped a couple of photos. 

We were pretty excited on  Oct 8 when American Furniture Warehouse

delivered and assembled our new queen bed...

which was way more comfortable than that air mattress.

And xfinity also came to install our internet package.

Other things began to shape up as well.  The spare bedroom which

houses  my computer setup and sewing equipment was almost organized.

And he laundry was being done  in our very spacious

laundry room while

 I showed off my flexibility by partially sitting in cupboards as

I installed contact paper on  shelves.

It really started to look like home when decorations were

added to some of the walls.

The dining room set we ordered will arrive in 2 more weeks

and will go on the area rug in the dining room.  

(Remember, click on any photo for a larger view.)

We cleaned us some old patio furniture and placed it

near Don's BBQ.

The area behind the house  creates a patio with a view,

with it's towering redwood trees and green grass

which is often a favorite place for the resident wild turkeys.

This is where we live.  And as you can see there are many

streets and green areas where one can wander.  Don and I

enjoyed a short walk around the small lake,  indicated in blue,  

a nice respite from opening boxes and unpacking.

  We weren't alone...  In addition to wild Turkeys there are lots of geese 

on the grounds and we were delighted to 

see this flock of ducks fly over, first one way

and then turning around for their lake landing.

With the park map in hand we continued our lazy stroll and

were amazed by the size of the oak trees along the street.

Our yard was looking pretty good until we had a hugh wind storm,

with winds gusting to 45 mph.  Everything was a mess, the yard, the driveway,

sidewalks & garden areas.  What to do... hire the neighbor who

has a handy man business-sounds good to me.

After 2 hours of blowing, raking and hauling leaves and branches, 

things were back to normal.

This morning Thur Oct 14, I grabbed my park map and headed

out.  The pen points to my starting point at our home.   Then I

followed the yellow highlighter "route" and walked the perimeter

of the park.  It was a brisk 47 degrees with lots of blue sky

and the Liquid Ambers were putting on a beautiful fall display.

This was only 1.8 miles, but I will be using that folded up map above

for future morning walks which will include many cu-de-sacs

so I can do a 3 mile morning walk like I did in AZ.   No pickleball

in this resort community but friends I knew from before play at

a community park about 4 miles away and I joined them yesterday

at the 12 court facility located in Rusch Park.  They will see me again...

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