Monday 11-29 Camping and Hiking

Gorgeous Day at Buescher State Park

We woke up to a brisk 37 degrees. Thank goodness for power so we could plug in with an electric heater. By the end of the day it got up to 66 degrees with a lot of sunshine. We had a gorgeous day.

I made mini waffles for breakfast. Afterwards we went on a  five mile hike using the hiking trail. We hadn't been here since December 2012 and they have made improvements to the trail. They added some cutoff trails, expanded the trail in places, trimmed back the undergrowth and made new trail signs. We started from the Minnie and walked to the trailhead. We hiked Winding Woodland Trail, which was 1.5 miles to the pipeline road and crossed over the road to the other side where we picked up the Pine Gulch Trail at a parking lot. It is 3.5 miles long but we hiked it to a Cutoff. The cutoff was .5 miles to the main road. We took the main road back to the campground. We took the road because Saturdays rain left parts of the trail muddy, especially the first part. The trail was very well maintained and well used. It went through trees, up and down small ravines and crossed the park road multiple places. It went by the cancer research center. When we got to the parking lot there were a few vehicles and an overview.  We said hi to a bicyclist who was leaving. According to the trail map we received the trail is  suppose to be for bicycles and hiking but the signage at the trail heads says no bicycles. So it's a little confusing for bicyclists. While there I took a picture from the overview of the surrounding area. We had a peaceful hike because we were the only ones on the trail we hiked, except when we got close to the parking lot where met a couple of ladies. We had a great hike.

 

The hiking trail terrain

A view from the overview

In the afternoon we enjoyed the campsite, Larry with a book and me doing games. I did the Solitaire and Mahjong Daily Challenges and the Event: World Tour Mini of 7 games. It took me 20 minutes and 29 second, which put me in 28th place in my group of 100. I also did some Sudoku games.

For dinner we had beef enchiladas, that I made before leaving the house. After dinner Larry and I went on a half hour walk to the tent area and the CCC Recreation Hall. While walking we saw some deer hanging around the tent area by the CCC Pavilion. We had another peaceful walk. 

After dropping Larry off at the Minnie I continued walking another half hour to get my steps in. I ended up doing 27,000 steps, which is a great start for the week.       

Sunday 11-28 Buescher State Park

Camping at Buescher State Park

The temperatures are finally dropping into the high 60s and low 70s during the day and in the 30s and 40s at night. We're so excited because it's time to go camping.

We started the day out by finishing getting the Minnie ready. 

After lunch we were on the road going to Buescher State Park. It was 92 miles from the house and took two and a half hours to get there. We took the back roads, which were two and four lane highways. We drove through small towns and cities. Before leaving Temple we stopped and filled the Minnie. The drive was very nice and not a lot of traffic until we hit bigger cities such as Taylor, Elgin and Bastrop.

We arrived at Buescher State Park around 2:00. Larry said the lady checking us in was very friendly and helpful. The lake is closed due to the dam being worked on. Because of the construction there may be some noise. We found our spot and setup the Minnie for a few nights. The site wasn't level so Larry had to get the blocks out to level the Minnie. 

A little while later we went on a half hour walk around the park. We took a .12 mile trail called the CCC Crossover to the cabins, screened shelters, playground and CCC Recreation building. We walked through trees and over a bridge that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. After using the bridge we walked a short path using some stairs built by the CCC to the CCC Recreation building. The CCC Recreation building was very nice. While walking by the playground we saw a group of kids playing and their parents watching them play. After walking around looking at the cabins and shelters we returned to the Minnie.

 

Larry walking on the CCC bridge

Going up a hill using the CCC steps

 

One of the cabins

 For dinner I barbecued hamburgers. Later on I baked Toll House Peppermint Coco Cookies. 

 

Peppermint Coco Cookies

Cozy Circle is a small loop campground. Each site has a lot of growth, a fire pit, picnic table and power and water. There was a bathroom with running water and showers. 

I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Pyramid Mini of 10 games. It took me 38 minutes and 41 seconds, which put me in 25th place in my group. I did some Sudoku games. I did 26,000 steps, which put me in 3rd place in my group with 190,031 for the week.    

 

Saturday 11-27 Rainy Day & Dancing

Playing in the rain

It was overcast all day with an occasional sprinkle. It was cold outside with the temperature in the low 50s. We spent the day indoors except when I worked on getting the Minnie ready.

Larry worked on the new computer and wrote his Seeds Program review on the Carro Smart Fan. I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Two Game Tango Mini of 10 games (5 Klondike and 5 Free Cell). It took me 1 hour, 49 minutes and 19 seconds because I got stuck on the last Free Cell games, that was an expert game. This put me in 20th place in my group. I also did some Mahjong and Sudoku games.

We attended two virtual square dances. First was Di Green's Monthly A2 dance at 2:00. I attended it by myself. This month she invited Ett McAtee and Dave Eno to come and help Terry McCann and her call the dance. The dance had two breakout rooms: A was two couples tips only and B was two couples tips and four couples within the tips. We started the dance in A breakout for a half hour with 29 participants. Dave called two tips and Terry called one tip. Then dancers either stayed there or went to the other breakout room. I went to the B breakout room. I danced six tips with 19 to 20 participants. Ett, Dave and Di called two tips a piece. Then we all went back to the A breakout room for the closing half hour with 26 participants. Ett, Terry and Di called a tip a piece. I had a great time dancing to Terry, Di, Ett and Dave and with friends.

 

Terry McCann & Di Green

Ett McAtee

Dave Eno

The Second dance was Don Moger's Saturday Night Fever A2/C1 at 6:00. Dayle Hodge helped Don call the dance. They called three tips of A2 with 32 participants and 3 C1 tips at class level with 28 participants. Larry and I had super time dancing to Dayle and Don and with friends.

After the dance we watched an episode of the 8th season of Vera. Then I finished the 8th season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 26,000 steps, which put me in 3rd place in my group.     

Friday 11-26 Black Friday & More

 

Today was Black Friday, which is traditionally the start of the Christmas shopping season in the U.S. 

Yesterday, Larry went online to check if there was a good deal on AA and AAA batteries. Most years we stock up on Black Friday. He found The Home Depot had a good deal on them but the flyer showed they actually went on sale the 14th so he wasn't sure there would be any left. We took a chance and went there this morning. He was right, they were out of them.

On the way home we stopped at Crossroads Park to go for a walk. We walked for 40 minutes. It was a little chilly. We were the only ones parked in the parking lot. We started the walk by ourselves but by the time we were halfway around the park people from the neighborhood showed up. We met a very friendly golden retriever. After saying hi to the dog we continued our walk and they went for a run. We had a great walk.

 

Welcome to Crossroads Park

Larry continues setting up the new computer. 

I did the Solitaire and Mahjong Daily Challenges and the Event: Medium Mayhem Mini of 5 games. It took me 14 minutes and 39 seconds, which put me in 21st place in my group. Then I did some Sudoku games.

After lunch Larry made reservations at Buescher State Park for four nights starting Sunday. So I started getting the Minnie ready to go. I had to clean the interior because I didn't do this when we got home from the last trip. I used the new vacuum cleaner, which worked excellent. I also loaded some clothes in it for our trip.

Larry participates in The Home Depot Seeds Program and this month he choose a Carro Smart Ceiling Fan. It arrived and has been sitting in the garage. He decided to install it in the second bedroom. At first he wasn't sure he liked it but once it was installed it looked great. The fan has five blades and a multiple speeds. It has electronic remote control that turns on and off the fan and light and works with Alexa. It came with extra hardware. Larry removed the old fan and assembled the new one. Once the fan and light was installed he played with the remote control to make sure it worked. It worked great and the fan moves a lot of air and moves very fast. You can adjust the brightness of the light using the remote control. The final step was to program the fan to work with Alexa. The light is very nice. 

 

Larry assembling the fan blades

Larry installing the smart fan

The old ceiling fan

 

The Smart Fan with the light on

 

The fan with the light off

I attended Ett McAtee's Weekly A2 dance at 6:30. She called four two couples tips of A2 with 23 participants, one four couples tip of A2 with 21 participants and one tip of class level C1 with 21 participants. I had fun dancing with friends and to Ett.

After the dance we finished watching the 7th season of Vera. I started to watch the 8th season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 27,000 steps, which put me in 1st place in my group.

  

   

Thursday 11-25 Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!! I'm very thankful for everything in my life. I've got a great life and very happy. I also have a super family and friends.

The weather today was cool with a brisk wind out of the north. 

I got up a little early to start the Thanksgiving feast preparation. Yesterday I did some preparation and I was glad because I was busy all morning. I put the turkey in the oven at 7:45. It was suppose to bake for 2.5 to 3 hours but through experience it usually takes longer. The button hadn't popped by 12:30 but the meat thermometer said it was ready so I took it out of the oven. While the turkey was cooking I made a relish tray with ham, pepper jack cheese cubes, sweet pickles and olives, celery with peanut butter, deviled eggs, mash potatoes, stuffing, egg noodles and homemade cornbread muffins. Louise brought a pecan pie and chocolate oatmeal haystack cookies. She arrived with Alice at 10:30. It's always a pleasure to have her visit and celebrate Thanksgiving with us. 

 

Ready to eat

When I woke up Larry was already awake and working on the new computer. After Louise left Larry continued working on the computer.

I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Easy Street Mini of 15 games. It took me 45 minutes and 1 second to complete, which put me in 24th place in my group. Then I did some Sudoku games.

In the evening we bought a James Bond movie off Amazon called Skyfall and watched it. We could have rented it for less but since we now own it we will probably watch it a few times. Afterward we watched YouTube videos. When Larry went to bed I finished watching the 7th season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 27,600 steps, which put me in 1st place in my group. 

Wednesday 11-24 New Computer, Dancing & Homemade Noodles

We had a wonderful day. 

Larry started the day out by going to Walmart because I forgot eggs when we last went shopping. On the way home he bought donuts for our breakfast.

I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Free Cell Mini of 10 games. It took me 39 minutes and 27 seconds, which put me in 9th place in my group. I'm excited because I haven't been in the top ten in a long time. 

Larry has been looking for a new computer. Our backup computer that he uses for crafting and experimenting is about 8 years old, it works well but is slow. He is a bit of a computer nerd and had a list of specific things he wanted, if he could not find what he wanted for a price he was willing to pay he would simply continue using the old computer. Black Friday sales are normally a great time to buy computers. On Monday he found exactly what he was looking for in Staples Black Friday online ad, it was discounted 28% putting the price where he was happy. He ordered it yesterday, it wasn't suppose to be in until Monday but it arrived today. I could not believe he didn't start working on it until late in the evening when he was done with his latest paper crafting project.. 

I attended three virtual square dances. First was Di Green and Terry McCann's Weekly Plus at 10:00. They called five tips and worked on push cast 3/4. It's hard when you do this with eight people but harder with phantoms. They did a super job calling and helping when needed. We had 19 participants.

Second was Ett McAtee's Weekly C1 at 1:00. She had 22 participants. It was a review of all calls. She helped when needed. I had a fun time.

Third was Dave Eno and Dave Hutchinson's Weekly C1/A2 at 6:30. They started the dance out by calling two C1 tips with 8 participants. Then they called five tips of A2 with 10 participants. The last A2 tip they called together. The last tip of the dance was a C1 with 7 participants. They called it together. I had a great time.

 

Get a partner and dance

After Ett's dance I made homemade egg noodles for Thanksgiving. 

After Larry went to bed I started the 7th season of Death In Paradise. I did 27,000 steps, which put me in 2nd place in my group.    

Tuesday 11-23 Happy Tuesday

 

We had a great day. It got up to 66 degrees.

We started the day by attending Di Green and Terry McCann's Weekly A2 dance at 10:00. They called five tips with 21 participants. We had a great time. Before the last tip Di said she would do a short tip so it wouldn't overlap Dayle's dance. Larry told her that Dayle wasn't calling this week because of Thanksgiving. The dancers were thanked him for reminding them about it, especially Meghan from Australia who gets up at 2:00am for these morning dances.

Larry spent the day making Christmas paper projects. 

I played computer games. I did the Daily Challenges in Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: World Tour Mini of 10 games. It took me 1 hour, 35 minutes and 25 seconds, which put me in 22nd place in my group. Then I did some Sudoku games. I worked out for a half hour using Just Dance. I vacuumed the house.

In the evening we watched two episodes of Vera. Then I finished watching the 6th season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 28,000 steps, which put me in 2nd place in my group. 

 

Monday 11-22 Dancing, Crafting and Working Out

 

Happy Monday

We started the day by attending Di Green's Weekly C1 dance at 9:00 for an hour. She had 25 participants and called five tips. She worked on Linear Action, Triple Boxes/Lines/Waves and Tally Ho. She did a super job of calling. We had a great time dancing and visiting with our virtual square dancing friends.

Larry continued working on Christmas projects. 

I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Medium Mayhem of 27 games. It took me 1 hour, 58 minutes and 17 seconds to complete, which put me in 25th place in my group. I also did some Sudoku games.

In the afternoon while Larry worked on Christmas paper projects I worked out for an hour and a half with my Wii Fit, Gold's Gym and Just Dance. I also did laundry.

 

Doing laundry

Working out

We had a relaxing evening. We finished watching the 5th season of Vera and started the 6th season. Then I started the 6th season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 28,000 steps, which put me in 2nd place in my group.

 

Sunday 11-21 Home Maintenance & Relaxing

 

Relaxing Sunday

We had a relaxing day hanging around the house.

After we got back from our trip we had a lot of ants around the house and some of them found their way inside. Larry treated the entire outside of the house and the yards and our ant problem disappeared. That was probably five weeks ago and yesterday we saw some in the kitchen. Larry looked all around the exterior of the house and found no sign of ant activity but he went ahead and treated the side of the house the kitchen is on. We think they may have come in on the bird/squirrel feeders. Every night I bring in the feeder and the bowels and store them on the kitchen counter, if I leave them outside the raccoons and other animals make a mess on the back porch. When we had pets we started not using insecticides inside the house and even now we try not to use any indoors.

Larry noticed that one of our toilets was letting a bit of water seep into the bowel so he ordered a replacement flapper ball and today he replaced it. These toilets are over 7 years old and this is the first time he has had to do anything to them. We are on the city of Temple water and we have had very little problems with hard water buildup. This is probably why we have had no plumbing issues.

Larry worked on paper crafting while I played games. I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Tri Peaks Mini of 5 games. It took me 10 minutes and 21 seconds, which put me in 15th place in my group. I did some Sudoku games. 

We attended one virtual square dance, which was Loren Smith's Weekly A2/C1 at 7:30. He changed up the dance a little bit. He called two A2 tips with 14 participants, one A2 tip with C1 moves with 13 participants, one C1 Teach tip with 13 participants and two C1 tips with 8 participants. Loren noticed that most of the dancers were C1 dancers or are learning C1 so he decided to review the C1 moves, that he already taught in the third A2 tip. During the C1 teach tip he introduced the dancers to Step and Fold. Don Moger showed up to say hi, which was a pleasant surprise. We had a great time.

After the dance I worked out with Just Dance for a half hour. After Larry went to bed I finished watching the 5th season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 26,500 steps, which put me in 2nd place in my group for the week with 188,884. I missed 1st place by 300 steps. 

 

Working out 

    

 

Saturday 11-20 Minnie Project and Dancing

 

Awesome Day

We had an awesome day. It was nice and cool with a little wind. 

Larry waited until it warmed up a bit and then he went outside to work on the Minnie. The step to get into the Minnie's is mounted toward the rear of the motor home and occasionally when you go through a dip it will drag and get bent. Sometimes so badly that it will not work and other times it still works but is a pain to slide in and out. On our last trip it drug when we went through a drainage dip in a street in Gunnison. The step still worked but was difficult to slide in and out. Larry decided to fix it today. He started by taking it apart and removing it. The step itself wasn't damaged but the frame was. He took the frame into his workroom, disassembled it and then used a vice and a sledge hammer and bend it back in place. Then he put everything back together.

 

Removing the step

Inspecting step for damage

We went to town to get our mail and made a quick stop a Walmart. Picked up a rotisserie chicken while we were there. Normally we are in Walmart early in the day and they don't have any rotisserie chickens.

I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Two Game Tango Mini of 6 games (3 Tri Peaks and 3 Pyramid). It took me 18 minutes and 48 seconds, which put me in 31st place in my group. I also did some Sudoku games.

We attended one virtual square dance, which was Don Moger's Weekly Saturday Night Fever at 6:00. Don was calling in person so  Dayle Hodge called the dance by himself. He called three tips of A2 with 27 participants, one tip of two couples C1 class level with 26 participants, one tip of four couples C1 class level with 21 participants and one tip of two couples C1 with 16 participants. Dayle did a great job of calling and we had fun.

After the dance we watched an episode of Vera. Then I started watching the 5th season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 26,500 steps, which put me in 2nd place in my group.

Friday 11-19 It's Friday!

 

 

It's Friday. I hope everyone has a great weekend doing what they enjoy.

I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Two Game Tango of 20 games (10 Klondike and 10 Spider). It took me 2 hours, 12 minutes and 54 seconds, which put me in 16th place in my group. I also did some Sudoku games.

Larry's paper crafting has now shifted into Christmas.

We attended two virtual square dances. First was Dayle Hodge's Weekly Four Couple A1/A2 at 11:00. He called two tips of A1 and two tips of A2 with 15 participants. We had a fun time dancing to Dayle and with friends.

Second was Ett McAtee's Weekly A2 at 6:30. She called four tips of A2 with 23 participants, one tip of four couple A2 with 21 participants and one tip of C1 at the class level with 20 participants. I danced by myself and had a great time.

After Ett's dance we watched an episode of Vera. Then I finished watching the 4th season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 26,500 steps, which put me in 2nd place in my group. 

Thursday 11-18 Wildlife, Crafting and Dancing

 

We had a great day. A cold front rolled in overnight. The high today was in the low 60s with a breeze out of the north.

We started the day out by going to Walmart to do our Thanksgiving grocery shopping. We wanted to beat the crowd. We have noticed lately that some items are hard to keep in stock. But today we had no problem finding what we needed. 

 

Grocery shopping

We attended two virtual square dances. First was Dayle Hodge's Weekly C1 at 11:00. He called four two couples tips with 15 participants and one four couples tip with 14. During the dance he worked on Triangles and Interlocking Diamonds. Dayle helped us out when we needed it by cueing where we should be. We had a great time.

Second was Jeremy Butler's Weekly A2/C1 at 6:00. Jeremy called three two couple A2 tips with 10 participants, one four couples A2 tip with 8 participants and one C1 tips with 6 participants. We had wonderful hour of dancing to Jeremy and with friends.

I did the Solitaire and Mahjong Daily Challenges and the Event: World Tour Mini of 10 games. It took me 1 hour, 36 minutes and 4 seconds, which put me in 29th place in my group. Then I did some Sudoku games.

In the late afternoon we saw some deer in the backyard. What caught our eye was a doe being chased by a buck. I guess it must be rutting season. At one time we saw three bucks and three does. We saw one of the bucks chase another away from a doe. I put bird seed at the base of a tree multiple times a day. Birds, squirrels, possums, raccoons, fox and even deer find there way to the base of that tree. Today I made sure the bucks were gone before I filled to bowl. Larry suggested that I should wait because you never know what behavior the deer will have during the rutting season.

 

One of the gorgeous bucks
 

After Jeremy's dance we watched two episodes of Vera, the last episode of the 5th season and started the 6th season. Then I started 4th season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 26,000 steps, which put me in 2nd place in my group.

 

 

 

Wednesday 11-17 Minnie Project Finished & Four Dances

 

Beautiful Day

We had another windy day with sunshine and a high of 78 degrees.

Larry finished waxing the passenger side of the Minnie. Then he turned the Minnie around so he could finish the overhang and cab. He polishes a side and then waxes it. It took him a few days of hard work but he is now finished. He normally waxes it at least once a year and every three years of so he polishes it. If it only needs waxing it doesn't take nearly as long.

 

The back of the Minnie all polished, waxed and clean

The Minnie all cleaned up

Polishing and waxing the overhang

 

The Minnie is about 25 years old, the toilet seat is made of plastic which became brittle and one of the hinges broke. Larry ordered a new one and when he finished polishing and waxing he replaced the seat. 

I attended four virtual square dances while Larry worked on the Minnie. First was Di Green and Terry McCann's Weekly Plus at 10:00. Di and Terry called five tips with 19 participants. They walked us through moves the dancers had problems with. I had a fun time.

Second was Dayle Hodge's Weekly A1/A2 at 11:00. Dayle called two tips of two couples A1/A2 with 22 participants and one four couples tip with 21 participants. Dayle made announcement that his four dances next week are cancelled due to Thanksgiving. I had great time dancing to Dayle and with friends.

Third was Ett McAtee's Weekly C1 at 1:00. She called four tips with 18 participants. If a dancer had a problem with a call she walked us through it. Ett did a great job of calling.

Fourth was Dave Eno and Dave Hutchinson's Weekly C1/A2 at 6:30. The format was two C1 tips, five A2 tips and one C1 tip. During the C1 tips they had 8 participants and A2 they had 10 participants. In between the tips played trivia. They both did a great job. I had fun.

In between the dances I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Two Game Tango Mini of 6 games (3 Spider and 3 Pyramid). It took me 24 minutes and 7 seconds, which put me in 35th place in my group.

After the last dance we watched an episode of Vera. Then I finished watching the third season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 27,500 steps, which put me in 2nd place in my group.    

Tuesday 11-16 Dancing, New Doctor and Continuing Minnie Project

 

Hold on tight

We had a windy day with the temperatures in the mid 70s. At the house it got to 78 degrees. The wind kept it cool. It was a pretty  with a lot of sunshine.

Larry had a doctor's appointment at 8:00 am for his annual Wellness check up. Should be annual but it was almost three years since his last one, of course Covid delayed many things. Since this was our first year with a new insurance company he also got a new doctor. He really likes the doctor but the wait time to get into see him or any GP in the Scott and White network is abysmal. The onsite lab took a blood sample and before the day was over he got an email saying the results were posted online. That was really quick. Everything looked great.

On the way home he stopped by The UPS Store and picked up a package and the mail. The package was our Christmas gifts and a couple of goodies from his Aunt Barbara. He stopped by Valvoline Oil Change to get the truck inspected. Due to Covid they have made inspections quicker and easier, it appears they only check your lights and turn signals, you don't even get out of the car. On the way back to the house he bought a couple of donuts at Top Donuts.

While he was gone I played games and vacuumed the house.

I did the Solitaire and Mahjong Daily Challenges and the Event: Tri Peaks Mini of 10 games. It took me 30 minutes and 19 seconds to complete, which put me in 11th place in my group.   

We attended three virtual square dances. First was Di Green and Terry McCann's Weekly A1/A2 at 10:00. This week Di and Terry were traveling so Di asked Ett McAtee to call for them. Ett called four tips with 16 participants. A dancer was having problems with box recycle so Ett workshopped it. I attended the dance by myself and had a great time dancing to Ett and with friends.

Second was Dayle Hodge's Weekly Plus/DBD at 11:00. Dayle called three Plus tips with 13 participants, one DBD tip with 12 participants and one four couples tip with 11. Larry joined me. Even though Dayle separates the Plus and DBD tips he calls some DBD in the Plus tips. We had fun dancing to Dayle and with friends.

Third, Dave Eno and Dave Hutchinson put on a special A2 dance at 6:30. They called 7 tips with 8 participants. They took turns calling the first 6 tips and called the last tip together. Each tip they called separately they introduced us to a move we don't and after the tip they asked if they made the move up are is it from caller lab. The dance was a lot of fun because we had to remember the moves throughout the dance. I attended the dance by myself, Larry was tired after working on the Minnie all afternoon. Dave Eno and Dave Hutchinson did a great job of calling.

Larry continued working on the Minnie. I worked on my annual book. I did some Sudoku games.

After the last dance we watched the second episode of the fifth season of Vera. Then I started watching the third season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 27,500 steps, which put me in 2nd plac in my group.

Monday 11-15 Dancing, Minnie Project and Ham Hock & Beans

Having fun with friends

We had super day.

We started the day out by attending Di Green's Weekly C1 Workshop at 9:00. Di called five tips to 26 participants. She workshopped Interlocked Diamond Formations, Finish a Move and other moves that were requested by the dancers. Larry danced with me. We had an outstanding hour of dancing with friends.

After lunch Larry went outside and continued working on polishing and waxing the Minnie. He finished polishing and waxing the driver side, then he turned it around and finished the back. He is about half way done.

 

Waxing the back of the Minnie

I did the Daily Challenges of the Solitaire and Mahjong and the Event: Hard Road Mini of 5 games. It took me 17 minutes and 44 seconds, which put me in 20th place in my group. I also did a few Sudoku games.

After playing games I worked out for a half hour on my Wii Fit.

Awhile back we bought a spiral ham. Last night I made ham hock and beans using the ham bone and navy beans. When had this for our dinner. It came out really good.

 

Ham Hock & Beans

In the evening we finished watching the Royall Flying Doctor Service and the 6th season of Grantchester on PBS. Then I finished watching the 2nd season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 28,000 steps, which put me in 3rd place in my group.    

Sunday 11-14 Pickle Day Dance & More Polishing

 

National Pickle Day

November 14th is National Pickle Day, to celebrate Ett McAtee held a Pickle Day Dance from 1:00 to 3:15. She invited Di Green from England, Tony Collingwood from England, Barry Clasper from Canada and Bill Van Melle from California to help call the dance. The dance was multi C levels, C1, C2, C3a and C3b. I attended the dance by myself and stayed in the C1 breakout room because I don't dance the other levels. Di started the dance with two C1 tips with 58 participants. During the tips she called four couples moves. Then we broke into different levels breakout rooms. I danced two tips to Di Green, Barry Clasper and Bill Van Melle. In the C1 breakroom we had between 23 to 26 participants. In between the tips Dawn a dancer from Canada did some pickle jokes they were pretty corny. We have been dancing with Dawn ever since we started virtual square dancing and she is very friendly and nice. This was the first time I ever danced to Bill Van Melle and he is a very good caller. I didn't get an opportunity to dance to Tony because he was calling the other levels of C. We have danced to him during our Sundancers Tape Group on Thursdays. He is very good but more complex and a bit harder to understand. I had a super time dancing to Di, Barry and Bill and with friends.

 

Barry Clasper

 

Di Green

 

Bill Van Melle

 

Ett McAtee

 

Tony Collingwood

 

The second dance we attended was Loren Smith's Weekly A2/C1 at 7:30. Loren called three A2 tips with 19 participants, one C1 Teach tip with 18 participants and two C1 tips with 14 participants. During the C1 teach tip Loren taught Two Thirds Recycle and One Third Recycle. He also reviewed the calls he already taught. We had a great time.

Larry was back polishing the Minnie. His pads for his polisher are about 15 years old, two of them fell apart and his other ones were disintegrating. He checked Harbor Freights website to see if they had any. They had some in stock but he could order a pack of five from Amazon for the price as two from Harbor Freight. He ordered the pack but he needed one now so off to Harbor Freight we went. Their pads were different and much harder then he normally uses but he needed one and who knows they might be better.

After lunch Larry was back polishing the Minnie. I didn't join him because I went to the Pickle Day Dance. He has one side left to polish, however, the sun was shinning on that side so he will do it early in the day or he will have to turn the motor home around. He started waxing the other side. So in the end it is partly polished and partly waxed. He thinks it will take him a couple of more days to finish. It's looking great.

I did my Solitaire and Mahjong Daily Challenges and the Event: Hard Road Mini of 5 games. It took me 35 minutes and 14 seconds, which put me in 27th place in my group. I did some Sudoku games.

After Loren's dance we watched the 6th episode of the Royall Flying Doctor Service on PBS. Then I started to watch the second season of Death In Paradise. I ended up doing 25,500 steps, which put me in 4th place in my group for the week with 189,093 steps.