Safely home and mail is now working....

And I got this wonderful sketch from Susan K.  Thank you so much....it really means a lot to me. I'm going to frame the original.  Of course, she modestly says it's a crummy sketch.  I love it!

What I asked her to do was capture my lovely desk, the painting above it, my bed cushion, and the purple carpet.  And I sent her rather poor photos.

All checked in....

Sitting outside in this wonderful airport looking at our wonderful San Jacinto Mountains.  Nothing was overweight which was great.  We took a stroll down to our new digs just before we left and said good bye to Ken.

Everything has gone smoothly except my mail seems to be weird. Hope this posts.

Just about ready to disconnect....

We need to return the modem so we'll be out of email contact and no Internet or phone other than our cells. We don't have data on our phones since we never used it when we had it but maybe we'll get a bit in future.  Next I'll be posting from the airport.

It's been a great couple of weeks down here and we just signed the contract for the November rental so it makes it a lot easier to know we're going to be down here again at just the time we would normally be.

So, it really is "au revoir".

My Canyon Sands Bookclub appreciates me!

Janice,

 I am truly bereft to hear this news! I don't know if you know this, but we all speak very highly of you behind your back [smile], and I for one am enormously appreciative of not only your literary recommendations and insights (which are formidable) but also your unflappably good nature. Thank you for everything you've brought to our group. I'm pleased to keep you on the AAB e-list, and we'll all hope to celebrate your return at our November meeting.

How very thoughtful of you to set aside an Alice Munro for me! My schedule Tuesday is a juggle as always, but if you're able to send me an advance note re what time you expect to be at Kathy's Corner I'd love to stop by and say good-bye if I can.

Canyon Sands's loss is Canada's gain - I have no doubt you'll continue to shine.

All the best,

Deb

Last meal out in PS until we return in November

We decided to go to Fisherman's yesterday and get their grilled catfish and Salmon Creek Cab. It still isn't too hot in PS but we did appreciate the misters being on. Well, we'll be eating up what we have around today and doing our final packing and saying good-bye to our wonderful paradise.  One thing about the place we're renting is that you can see the mountains from the patio.

Our new digs in Palm Springs

We were planning on renting in November as we feel it's the perfect month down here as far as weather and also you have fewer snowbirds since it isn't the peak season which is Jan, Feb, Mar. We also plan to go to Puerto Vallarta for a couple of weeks in Jan or Feb and of course there is France in April.

We ran into a fellow from NYC yesterday at the pool who bought a couple of years ago, rents his place out, and he and his partner plan to retire here in 10 years. We love his place and have already stored our golf clubs, raclette, and some books. What luck!

https://bestproperty.appfolio.com/listings/detail/0bd311c0-3d48-40bc-a201-7eed7208c600

West Coast Modernism

I'll definitely have to get to this exhibit at the West Vancouver Art Museum.

Opening Reception: Tuesday, May 21, 7–9 p.m.

"Does Your House Fit You?" In 1949, the Community Arts Council of Vancouver posed this question in their catalogue for the seminal Design for Living exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery, arguably marking the birth of Canada's West Coast Modernist tradition in art and architecture.

Seventy years later, many of these modernist homes have been demolished for redevelopment, and yet many more have been renovated and preserved, reminders of the spirit of invention, experimentation, and enlightenment that characterized their original design.

This exhibition, which is accompanied by a publication of the same name, presents eight case studies that represent a spectrum of modernist homes. Some are by well-known architects and designers and others are by lesser-known builders. All of these homes have been restored, updated and adapted to the needs of contemporary family life, while remaining true to the modernist spirit in which they were originally created.

The catalogue has been generously supported by a grant from the Canada Council.

https://www.nsnews.com/entertainment/dossier/west-coast-modernism-broke-the-bonds-of-the-past-1.23832613

A couple more photos of the food at Spencer's

Not all photos get downloaded the first time for some reason these days.

Jim's ribs, macaroni, and onion rings. There was quite a stack of onion rings but I scarfed down most of them. No point wasting them on someone who is indifferent to them.

A close up of one of the crabs,

Catfé

People sometimes ask me about Catfe. It is doing very well with Rolli being adoption #666....wow!

Researchers says liking cats is a sign of very high intelligence. The fellow who wrote this article likes both cats and dogs and has both (pictured below). I like both too and had a dog when I was a kid but just loved Oscar. Well, Susan felt he was really more like a dog the way he interacted with people.

https://www.catssdaily.com/researchers-say-that-liking-cats-is-a-sign-of-very-high-intelligence/

I grew up in Vancouver

This FB group came up as a suggestion today and I joined...what fun!  A few old photos.

If I had only seen this, I would have done this to our Dewdney house. Wouldn't that have been cool, Susan? :)

From "Cactus Hugs"

It was hotter in Seattle yesterday than in Palm Springs.

But hey, for at least one day, us desert rats had better weather than the snow birds.

I think I'll have to treat myself to one of these little devils....even at $35 for one.

A fabulous day yesterday and Spencer's was wonderful!

I'm not sure why we haven't been to Spencer's lately. It really is a wonderful setting outside under the plane trees. And we noticed there was a pianist playing in the bar. It's a beautiful sunny day (currently 83F) and not scheduled to start getting really hot until Thursday, the day we leave.  Perfect timing. Apparently it is currently snowing at the Aerial Tramway. I saw that on FB but I don't think that can be true.

Jim got the three course businessman's lunch which was a great deal at $19.50. He began with what was probably the best Boston clam chowder I've ever had (I had a couple of spoonfuls) and then he had the ribs. There was a fish option. And great ice cream and fruit for dessert which i shared.

I got three small crabs and it was an interesting experience but I think the Maryland crab is probably better in crabcakes. Of course, you can't ever beat our local Dungeness crab. Cost a bomb these days if you can even get it. Gone are the days when Thrifty's in Victoria had whole crabs for $10 on Mother's Day. And we don't benefit from our neighbour, Chris, going on fishing trips and bringing back halibut, salmon, and lots of crab....yum, yum, yum!

This is for you, Linda. Maybe you didn't know this was happening :) At the checkout in Von's.

Memorial Day this coming Monday

We've never been in PS for this holiday and I'm looking forward to seeing the 3,000 red and white carnations being dropped at the PS Air Museum. We're very close so we may even snag one. We certainly will see the air displays.  I might even be tempted to go since Harpo the Clown is going to be there :)

Annual Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop

May 27

This is a very special day at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Our brief Memorial service is dedicated to all of our fallen comrades, who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. In their honor, we highlight the service with a fly-by and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from B-25 Mitchell bomber. This most impressive ceremony is our way of saluting our fallen comrades. Visitors are welcome to pick up a flower to take home. Flight exhibitions & activities scheduled all day long, Memorial Ceremony and Flower Drop scheduled for 1PM.  EXTRA OFF SITE FREE PARKING AND FREE SHUTTLE

Day starts with flight exhibitions, warbird rides for sale, best to book online – https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/p-51-booking-calendar/
11 am – Clay Lacy Lear Jet Unveiling
1 pm – Flower Drop Ceremony Begins – congressional presentation to Lt. Col. F. Russ Mulvany, who was a B-24 Tail Gunner during World War II.
Special guests include Lt. Col. Bob Friend, Tuskegee Airman

Flight exhibitions scheduled include P-63, P-51, C-47, T-28, T-33, B-25, F4U Corsair
WORLD’S ONLY FLYING PB4Y-2 PRIVATEER!!!

Activities include Color Guard, Palm Springs Air Museum Pipe Band, music by Heatwave Jazz Band, Knights of Columbus Helium Balloons, Harpo the Clown, and Totally Twisted Balloons.

Food vendors include In ‘n Out Burger, Freedom Fighters’ Cafe, Cone Zone, Fries Galore and Kone Pizza.

This is what we were going to do yesterday....

Spencer's is offering their special Maryland Softshell crab and my mouth was watering but I was envisioning a warm sunny day sitting outside on their wonderful patio.

The weather was looking rather dodgy when we were swimming this morning. We certainly won't be having an afternoon swim today!  It's only about 70F and raining. Well, the rain is very welcome. My crab feast will have to wait.

Flowers, flowers, flowers....

I was so pleased to see Carol posting to her blog and seeing all the great Spring blooms in her garden and her neighbours' gardens.

A few examples

Even more at the full blog post here:
http://mountdunbar.blogspot.com/2019/05/flowers-for-my-sister.html

Now, can anyone tell me what these flowers are? I bought this bouquet at Trader Joe's and it had sunflowers and roses in it which have since gone past their best but these are left.  Any ideas?

Monday....Bill's Pizza of course!

It was sunny and warm when we came home so cracked open this bottle. We've had it in the fridge for years.

We'll all soon be in California

Richard is attending a conference in Portland at the moment and then meeting Grace in San Francisco for a little holiday. Sounds like an interesting conference and Richard loves Portland. I think it's mainly the great craft beer. I'm sure he'll be imbibing a few.

https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/portland/2019/

I went to Jensen's yesterday since I needed a few things (and it's on the way back from Steinmart...I got some shoes). They have been advertising that they now have fried chicken so picked up a half chicken and a demi baguette. The chicken was excellent and with some tomatoes made a perfect lunch. I also picked up a USAD Prime New York Steak which we had for dinner tonight. You really can't get the equivalent of "Prime" in Canada or at least B.C. Apparently the restaurants buy up all the premium beef.

We had that for dinner. I always have just a small amount and I had to save room for my peanut brittle. Jensen's has a wonderful example of peanut brittle and I love the fact that it is in the fruit and vegetable department. So, it's healthy, right!

My peanut brittle.

Jim's cooked portion

Not cheap but worh it.

Lord Flecher's ...wow...what a great place!

We just loved our experience last night here...wonderful food, great ambience, and great servers. And we realized it is actually less distance than going to downtown PS. It is an older crowd for sure. Folks
 beside us were celebrating their 64th anniversary so we were just yougsers!

We began at home with this rosé ....great.

Jim with his leek and potato soup...first course...fabulous example

Well, before this dessert, I had a wonderful piece of sole.

This is Jim's prime rib and yorkshire pudding...excellent!

We'll definitely be back. They also have "bar bites" in the pub and London Pride on tap....David Bradshw's favourite beer.