Moderation

  Moderation:  The act of moderating or restraining; the process of tempering, lessening, or mitigating.

Moderation in all things is good right? Food, liquor, sun, road rage, cats. 

I'm still working on a couple of those.

Yesterday Jack and I drove up to Kittyland, a cat sanctuary/rescue in Desert Hot Springs where I have considered volunteering. Jack said he counted 24 cats in the main cat room.   Black ones, grey ones, Torties, Calicos and a huge fluffy Ginger. What a treat for me to be able to pet them. After 20 minutes my cat allergy set in, and I realized I cannot be in a room with 24 cats. Volunteering is probably out. 

We were initially disappointed that the kids could not make it down here. Hundreds of flights were cancelled out of Seattle on Monday. The weather has been iffy here as well and I wore a sweatshirt and stocking hat for my walk this morning in 40-degree temperatures. A Spring visit will be more fun for everyone.

Grandkids and Piranhas

UPDATED MONDAY DECEMBER 27:

Alaska Air is not letting any unaccompanied minors through SEA-TAC. We cancelled their flights and will try again for Spring Break in April. 

 Let me start out asking Ugh Seahawks, why??   The rare snowfall in Seattle today is no excuse. I can't remember the last time I saw snow during a football game on the west side of the state. 

The grandkids will arrive tomorrow afternoon assuming their flight is not cancelled due to short staff, covid, zombies or weather. Alaska Airlines requires payment of an additional "unaccompanied minor" fee for Rowan, age 8 even though his 17-year-old sister is more than capable of "handling" him. That rule chaps my @ss but we'll deal with it.

Gramps and I are looking forward to seeing them and spending the week making some fun memories. Pictures to follow.

 Update, Piranhas. Our 4 Feral kitties are like Piranhas in a feeding frenzy. In the mornings, when I serve their breakfast Benihana style at the table they barely wait for the food to leave the can and they're on top of it. Clipper was so preoccupied with food that I was able to give the Queen Bee a few head scritchces before she pulled away. Progress.

The wind is picking up again and a few showers are expected tomorrow afternoon and through the week. 

A side note: I am no longer on Facebook. Join me on Instagram for more pictures.

Golf Course

 

                                                            Looking down the 3rd fairway

Reseeding of the golf courses down here generally takes place from September through November. Reseeding keeps the courses looking nice and green. This year, due to budget restrictions and a huge increase in the price of seed, our golf course has chosen not to reseed. The pictures above show the result.  We'll see how this plays out for home values. It is Ivey Ranch GOLF and Country Club despite the homeowners who state they don't play golf and don't want to increase the HOA dues to keep the golf course looking nice.

Winter, a Desert Perspective and Grandkids

Morning 6:30AM, it is just starting to get light, the cats are patiently waiting on the table for First Breakfast, it is 37 degrees. I know it is colder and wetter in the NW because I check the weather daily for Shelton WA and Tacoma WA. One thing about the desert in Winter is the 99% guarantee of sunshine, even when daily high temps peak at 70. 

 Grandkids Madison (17) and Rowan (8) will be down here in one week. Gramps and I have some fun stuff planned for them. When they find out we go to bed at 9PM and they can stay up until whenever and be in charge of the TV remote, they will be happy. Reality will set in when Grandma gets them out of bed at 7AM to head to The Living Desert to feed giraffes.

 

Drinking Glasses and a Birthday

We are anticipating a big rain storm today so we decided it was time to declutter the cupboards. How many glasses does a person need anyway? Will save the Seattle Sonics glass. We don't drink wine anymore so the wine glasses are going. 

A shout out to Ancestry. Com for reminding me once again that it is my dad's birthday. Happy 111 Dad. He passed away 21 years ago but apparently, they feel it is necessary to continue to celebrate his special day. This is the only birthday reminder I get and I'm not sure why.
 

Cold!

 Colder here this morning, (40 degrees), than in Shelton, (43 degrees).

                                    Caught one of the Cheetahs enjoying a slice of sunshine

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

 

A nice morning walk around the neighborhood.  Jack is playing golf with Mike B. and Dan W. even though it is super windy here. I'll paint some more rocks and leave them around the neighborhood.

Things I Find Amusing

Watching the crows at The Living Desert peck the black spots on the blow-up giraffes. In 3-2-1 Whoosh!

Walkers dressed for Antarctica when it's 60 degrees.

On top of Donner Pass at an I-5 exit, there is a dining symbol sign

Our aging Alice Cooper lookalike, ex rock n' roll neighbor gardening in what looks like a giant white diaper and pink flip flops
 

Seventeen

                                           How can you be seventeen already? Love you so much.

    Happy Birthday Madison!