.......and more

Neighbor Michael came over, so I closed off, but the sun is warm  and lovely out here on the patio, and there's another hour or so before happy hour, so I might as well bring you up to date.

Where were we?  Oh, Cardenas, grocery shopping without the flies.  And without pictures either.  I was all set to snap away - they have the store all decorated with flowers and cactus and paintings and it is really lovely - for a grocery store - but they also have a policy (I found out) that no one is allowed to take pictures - get this - for fear that someone else will copy their decorations!  That was the official story, at least.  As Mariah and I  were sitting there eating tacos and trying to puzzle it out, we finally came on what we figure is the real story.  There are so many undocumented aliens shopping there that they would be spooked by a bunch of white folks with cameras!  No?  Well, I like it better than the official version....

Well, shortly after our arrival, Art and Wally took Mariah and me out for dinner at Manhattan in the Desert, previously seen in these pages.

(You know, sometimes I hate Mariah.  I don't think she ever met a camera that didn't like her, unlike some of the rest of us....)

And, of course, the round of parties has already begun, this time, a Valentine's Day (early) feast at the club house, with the usual cast of characters and the usual great food (KFC and pot luck, what could be better?)  We started out on my deck....

Then headed down to the club house....

I tell you, we have altogether too much fun!

So, Art and I are back to playing bridge (off to Phoenix next week for a sectional tournament), and I am  back at the gym  for an hour and a half every day (I had better be, with the amount of eating and drinking going on!), the sun is shining, the top is down (no, not that one, the convertible.....) and the world is turning as it should. 

And, to close off, a very personal Hallmark moment.  I have never liked Valentine's Day - Hallmark moment and all - but this year I find myself  filled with love of friends and neighbors and family, and I wish the same for you.  And if you have a special sweety, all the better!  (And, well, if  he has a brother, you know where to find me....)

XXOO