June and hot weather 😄

Color me…content?  A warm, overcast day on the prairies.  Light breeze carrys the scent of blooming Russian Olives…birds serenading…this is the life.

Ok so income tax bill…not the first in my life.  I will and am dealing with it.  Sadly no unused body parts for sale, over nearly 71 years they’re all high mileage. 😃 No rust, most original parts (most 😅) noisy exhaust and starts first kick! Lol 

Sitting on my deck, its tanning time, at least for a bit.  My deck is wee, but works!  A new cushion on my vintage bright yellow chair, and my tiny footstool and i feel luxurious!  No room service, but a yummy breakfast with oj and coffee out here feels almost vacation-like!

The spring came early in May, lots of blossoms on the trees then Blam…cold, high winds, even snow! …petals everywhere so likely not a lot of fruit.  Which sucks for the birds! Then came heat: 30C plus…dry, T Storms, very typical Alberta spring.  Or almost summer?

The family pool is open so thats an opportunity to “get my burn on”.  Right now I am comfortably relaxing in bikini top and cutoffs…exposing a rather pale expanse of belly and cleavage.  They’ll tan quick enough. 

Neighborhood walkers don’t notice me, lurking behind a leafy tree.  Suits me fine. Speaking of walking, my goal is a quick walk each morning before coffee.  It can be done!  It’s invigorating to get out, hear the birds, observe the pond (still no frog songs) and see the other iPad addicts on their respective decks.  Dogs t scramble out to woof at me.  And I get to snoop backyards, see who’s making an effort and who is letting their petunias shrivel in the heat!  

My friends garden is small but mighty...peas, rows of yellow beats, onions and carrot - towered over by thriving tomato plants, allows me a chance to scratch my itchy green thumb. And to thin the carrots cause bunnies need to eat too! He takes meticulous care of his property…it is emerald green, except where Choppsy the Bush Bunny nibbled is rather short. 🐇 

There is no one about!  Just my AC kicking on sporadically and mellow tunes from my apartment to keep me company.  The suns out now, red winged blackbirds singing, crickets sayin “it’s gonna rain tonight” and distant traffic.  I love it.  Retirement is good.  Three years ago I wouldn’t have believed how calm, happy and healthy I am feeling!

Spring has sprung and almost nice weather!

 Ah April..grass is greening up, recent light snow are gone again, and the bunnies are active!  Crows, the odd robin, very cheery finches…yes morning seem hopeful that full on Spring approaches! 

This sunny April 1st was no joke.  I awoke in my bed, with access to the whole thing…all four pillows and a very soft fleecy blanket at 7:30.  Up I got, had a Robax to relax my potentially stiff back, then snuggled into my warm comfy nest in the bed.  No pain.  All warm, greeted by my friendly sunbeam…perfection.  My cell phone acts as my television remote, so I press a few buttons and the calm, soothing music I selected on Youtube before calling it a night came over the airwaves…bliss.  This dear readers is a new indulgence, usually ocean resort tunes, while enjoying my sun beam.  I think I might be a house cat?

There was a full moon last night, which since I’m a Cancer, I tend to bla,e for insomnia, and which I can also blame for me not able to settle.  So I did what needed to be done at 1 a.m.m, I washed my kitchen floor.  Lol.  This meant my house, filled with peaceful vibes this sunny morn, was shiny clean!  Excellent, as the days plan included a handsome tall guest at 10:30, then lunch with ‘da gang’ at noon.  

As I had my 1st coffee of the day, I reflected on my current life.  And concluded I am blessed!  Yes, 3 yrs ago it all seemed to crash down on me when I lost my hubby, but I survived.  And now thrive!  Not all those who loose a spouse do.  I had a great life with Mac, he was smart, generous, loving and it was always Go big or go home!  No complaints.  

But now, having moved to Alberta, I find myself involved in a new life.  I am so blessed to have a pleasant cozy apartment, a 26 year old Ikea bed which is soooo comfy, food in my fridge and cupboards…some very wonderful friends and a man who protects, provides, and cherishes me.  He has rekindled my love for hockey, and ice cream bars!  And. His bed isn't uncomfortable either 😘 Speaking of spring, after lunch we sat on his deck, and soaked in a warm sunny day, complete with two bush bunnies happily chomping on his newly green lawn!  

I on the other hand, appreciate his willingness to try my experimental attempts at cooking, and even dared to have a slab of fried Spam!  Ok, I think that was a one off…lol. P

mother Nature the prankster has promised cooler wetter weather tomorrow.  Oh well, tis spring on the prairies.  Tomorrow I will resume my senior citizen (did I really say that?) routine…maybe a whip through Costco, check my friends house plants again, then work on an art project.  

Life is good!  I feel good, he’s healthy….i have nothing to compain about.  Maybe splurge on a lottery ticket.  70 million samolians wouldn’t be too tough to take! A gal can dream can’t she..

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Holy Crap, I’m Old?

 Today is a new year, a new decade, 2026.  Ok I sort of slid through January, but I was busy.  Yes dear readers, at my ripe old retired age of 70, I am back in a very casual workforce.  I am now Demo Diva, doing sample tasters in a local supermarket.  And I love it! Although it requires some organizational skills, a bit of reporting and definitely food handling hygiene ,  its mostly being friendly with shoppers.  And having “the gift of gab” for me, its perfect!  And pays great.  Thus far, I work for a marketing company in Texas “Yeehaw” and depending on which company wants their product flogged determines how many weekends I work.  January was great, 7 six hr shifts, Feb 5 and so far I'm booked for 2 in March.  A shift is 6 hrs…this is where my 70 yr old ankles came into play.  Yeah.  And 70 yr old knees, back…it means really good shoes (which I have) and a mat to stand on (which I was gifted at Christmas by some much younger friends).  What do I make?  Well thus far , pogos or corndogs, little Italian appy skewers (no little Italians were harmedA) and cheeeese.  😋

Most important, it gives me a bit of financial wiggle room, come end of month.  Since I am no financial genius, it can be tight around the 22nd.  So I’m having fun, and my freezer and cupboards are well stocked.  Heck I even splurged on a prime rib  roast (on sale of course) which felt luxurious!

So speaking of aging, now I am living in fair stable health, but all those years of motorcycle adventures have caused arthritis in my feet and hands.  Why?  Cause they went thru the air at average of 65 mph sun, rain, cold, hot for 55 yrs.  😎. It was fun, it was thrilling, but now I creak getting out of my recliner, and crackle first thing in the a.m.

And what did this young at heart widow do next? I let myself be talked into Scottish Country dance.  Uhuh.  Picture a Clydesdale Horse clomping around with a room full of graceful cavorting  ponies.  The next morning my delicate, slim ankles did not work.  Nope.  Sore.  Really sore.  So again, Tylenol, Voltaren, a tensor bandage…yikes!  I tried the next week, Nope.  Because I had a couple of 6 hr shifts coming up, I’ve decided to give up Dashing White Sargeant or Strip the Willow for now.  

Currently my feet are up, coffee in hand, enjoying James May trying goofy kitchen gadgets on TV. My life however, is never dull!  I’ve returned to painting, some Diamond Dotting, and with my amazing boyfriend, we go for some pretty fun meals with friends.   Right now the Olympics have stopped regular hockey, so we watch the Canadian team play.  Not bad.  

Last night we tried a Chophouse in Taber with friends, where I had the most abysmal vodka martini ever!  I do love a dry vodka martini.  Ideally shake. With ice, strained into a chilled glass where a vermouth bottle had been placed, unopened, beside it.  With a twist of lemon peel, or 3 skewered olives.  Last nights drink had None Of That.  Warm, vodka, tasting of pickle and soap, in an old style champagne glass….I sent it back but was still charged $15 for it. Lesson learned.  

I enjoy slothing about.  I have wonderful friends, near and far, and Far Out 🤪 and really like where I live.  And tomorrow?  Being taken to dinner, “dress up” was the only clue as to where, which I can hardly wait for!  My life is better than I’d imagined it would be.  With all the bad things out there, and man there’s a lot, I thank God everyday for how blessed I am.  

Now, chuck in the laundry, empty the dishwasher and enjoy my Friday ❣️

Till next time.  “The more we count the blessings we have, the less we crave the luxuries we haven’t”  William Arthur Ward