Wiggling Watermelon

Butch and I made our weekly run to Alpena Thursday and as we pulled into the Walmart parking lot there were the usual produce vendors hawking their wares. Traverse City cherries and watermelon. Butch said, "Look Barb, that guy is wiggling his watermelon at you." He was!  For some reason that really tickled my funny bone. Still does. I can still see him standing there wiggling his watermelon in my direction.

I have learned a new to me technique for making jewelry. Now I am not much for wearing jewelry. I just never think to adorn myself. But I am having great fun making it. I am now working on my third bracelet. This picture is the first bracelet I made and it is only partially done in this view. When I finish this third one I will take a picture of all three and post them.
It has cooled down this morning. Only in the 50's. Butch is out mowing greens. I have had computer work to catch up on.
We were confronted with renewing our workamper subscription the other day and I thought of passing it by but then I asked Butch about it. After all it is fun to see what is available even if you do not want to take the positions. His reaction surprised me a bit. He said, "Well it has provided us with some good adventures." That it has. So we renewed. Workamper News

Hurry, Hurry

These kinds of days are few and far between for me...Thank goodness. I didn't get any blogging done yesterday so I am feeling the pressure. Butch and I took on a more regular job of keeping the outside areas around the villas, suites and chalets cleaned. And until we establish a routine and get the first run through done it will take a bit more time than it will later on. At least I think that is the way it will work.
Butch played in the senior men's league yesterday AM and I cleaned the MoHo. Then we worked on our new job and then we played in couples golf. So for all you who wonder, Butch does get a bunch of golf in. He is playing now as a matter of fact...in the rain.
Do we get anything else done? Not yet. But keep checking in. I haven't pushed very hard yet but I will.

Elise on the 4th

I love the "Church lady" look on that cute little face.

It is Tuesday

I did get my walk in this morning while Butch was golfing. Then I made my way up to the barn to help finish up the sewing on the acoustical curtains. I really wasn't in on much of the work of it but everyone was glad to have this project done.
Oh yes, Butch did get me out to play nine holes yesterday using the par 3 tee blocks. Did I enjoy it? hmmm- neutral. I seem to really need much advanced notice if I am going to play golf. That has pretty much always been true. Golf is not something I can be spontaneous about. Don't know why and not sure I care why. It just is.

This afternoon Butch is learning how to be a ranger. Not sure it needs much instruction but it is nice that Butch and Tom have each others company while they have to be on the course in this hot and humid weather.
Some pictures from yesterday on the course:

Hole #1

Butch on #9. He does not like #9.

After the 4th and My Kindle

It is so hard to believe the 4th has come and gone. I received my Kindle a few days ago and I quickly became accustomed to it. Not at all difficult to do. I am loving it. An Apple fan asked me why I did not choose an iPad and to be honest I had not considered it so I went on an investigative tour to find out why I did not choose an iPad. 
I am still happy with my choice of a Kindle. We are blessed with two computers and to me the iPad more closely resembles a computer as opposed to a book. The number one reason I would not have considered an iPad even if it had occurred to me is price. $499 plus as opposed to $189. Another reason is hidden costs with the iPad. It is my understanding that the $499 is just the starting price and then there are fees for this and fees for that. Book selection would have been another factor. It is very frustrating to have a book in mind and find that it is not available in ebook format. Yes, I am aware that all of Amazon.coms books would also be available to iPad users if you pay a $14.99 Internet fee. (one of those hidden fees)
And then there is battery life. As little as 10 hours with an iPad and up to two weeks with a Kindle. After reading all about both I am still at peace with my selection of a Kindle.


We enjoyed a calm and quiet 4th. Went for our walk and usually it is unusual to see anyone but there were lots of people out and about due to the holiday. The golf course was busy. There are most likely lots of lost balls out there waiting to be found today.
The RV park residents gathered in the pavilion for a potluck meal and lots of visiting. When you gather a bunch of Rvers and full timers together it is bound to make interesting conversation.

 Butch and I had a Netflix waiting for us so after the meal we came home to watch our movie. The movie was Precious. It was a good one all round. Definitely not a feel good movie but very thought provoking and sad.

Mexican Bean Salad

Yesterday after getting our walk in we rested a good share of the day. Along toward evening we meandered over to the Pavilion where some of the other residents of the RV park were gathered. There were some of those little eclairs and cream puffs you can buy in most stores these days just sitting there calling my name. I have to pass them by in the store because I would eat the whole box if they were in my freezer. But there they were and free for the taking. I ate far too many of them and they were good!

My blood sugar otherwise known as BS showed my transgression this morning. Then later we enjoyed Hillman's fireworks from our kitchen table. It was a beautiful sight, framed so perfectly by the window and one we have not enjoyed that closely for many years. After the fireworks we watched a few minutes of a Ma and Pa Kettle movie before drifting off to sleep. “I'll get that later, Ma” has been one of Butch's mantras for many years.

Also yesterday I made a new recipe and I kept slipping back to the fridge for another bowl of it. I love the stuff! The only change I made to the recipe is the salt. I only used a fraction of the amount called for. It is a keeper.

Mexican Bean Salad

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Servings: 8

"The dressing is absolutely sensational in this bean salad - so many taste sensations. It

begins with oil and vinegar, but then it gets fancy. Let 's see, there 's lemon and lime

juice, garlic, cilantro, sugar, cumin, hot sauce and chili powder to taste."

INGREDIENTS:

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and

drained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans,

drained and rinsed

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn kernels

1 red onion, chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoon salt

1 clove crushed garlic

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper

1 dash hot pepper sauce

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers, frozen corn, and red onion.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, lemon juice,

sugar, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and black pepper. Season to taste with hot sauce

and chili powder.

3. Pour olive oil dressing over vegetables; mix well. Chill thoroughly, and serve cold.