Sue Case
To paraphrase Garrison Keillor, it’s been a quiet month in Unit 27. However, things are happening, and activity is occurring, as some residents have shared.
Golf is the one activity that SaddleBrooke TWO has allowed to continue since the shutdown began; and the unit golfers have continued to play, probably with more regularity than before! Chris Lomax has played enough that he shot his age at MountainView on May 9, with a combined score of 78 (41+37). Keep up the good work, Chris!
In addition to golf, Dave Strief has also done some fly-casting at the SaddleBrooke One golf course pond, giving a demonstration for the local fly-casting group on one occasion; and he and Vicki have made grateful use of their swimming pool.
Carol Merlini reports that she continues to golf and is looking forward to using the community lap pool, if she can get a reservation. Things are the same, but different.
Some residents have taken the opportunity to leave town. Eileen and Jeff Depka visited the Valley of Fire state park in Nevada and saw beautiful scenery, as well as a few grazing bighorn sheep.
On the other end of the travel spectrum, Karen and Don Erickson drove 2,000 miles over four days to help their son fix up his older “new home” in North Carolina. Karen writes, “Todd and Don have thus far replaced three ceiling fans and two chandeliers, while making about 20 trips to Home Depot and Lowe’s in the process.” Karen has done some painting and sanding, in addition to pulling lots of weeds. They have reaffirmed that retirement looks pretty good.
Phil Barney reported that he and Sandy got tired of the heat and left for the 60-degree weather in Montana, saying, “Whew, what a relief!”
Most of us have stayed close to home, except for quick trips out for groceries, food takeout, and health and hygiene appointments. We are supporting local restaurants, both in SaddleBrooke and nearby, by using their curbside service. Carol Merlini says Instacart knows her by name now, and her home looks like an Amazon distribution hub!
Both Dick Clark and Carol Goldberg report catching up with family and old friends. Carol says she has used a lot of Zoom and FaceTime. Both Dick Clark and Carol Merlini confess to doing yard work and gardening. Perhaps when the pandemic is over, we will have to sponsor a Unit 27 contest for “most improved landscape while forced to stay at home.”
Until the Bighorn Fire hit our area, walking was one available means of outdoor exercise; and it was popular with our residents. Unfortunately, the fire hit just as temperatures were starting their seasonal highs, requiring very early or late walks. And, of course, the smoke has interfered with the early walking, before the winds blow it away. To counteract the smoke, this writer was seen one morning sporting a bandana that made her look like she was out to rob a bank. However, it did match her outfit.
Several of our residents have gotten together in small, socially distanced, gatherings on each other’s patios, for drinks and various other goodies. And we all look forward to the time we can come and go without thinking twice about catching something.
Everyone be well.