Say Hello To July

It's a cool and surprising 57 degrees on this July 1st.  When I stepped outside this morning, I finally got my first look at the pink moon.  Between early nights and cloudy skies, it has remained hidden.  I didn't even drag out my big camera.  

I did go for a run however, a little over two miles almost without walking.  I admit, it's not pain free.  The old saying no pain, no gain, is exactly correct.  Those old hip flexors were screaming at me.  It does however, get me out of the house and tear free for at least 30 minutes.

I'm definitely short of pictures today.  My get up and go just got up and went.  There's no need to cook, no want to bake and no one to share breakfast with.  I did finally give Kitters a shot at pork loin and she scarfed it up.  Apparently that's better than chicken.

Finally, though it seemed like forever, I was off to the Magic Castle.  The magic has pretty much disappeared with so much dissension going on.  It's too bad so few can cause such problems that no one will address.  It means people have quit coming to the lodge and are not volunteering any more.  Bingo alone has lost 5 volunteers and I've no doubt more will follow.  I guess everything changes, sometimes not for the better.

I'm trying hard not to be the next dropout!  I was lucky enough to have one of our all time best people return to play, and she comes early to help me set up.  She lost her husband a few years ago, followed by her puppy.  The perfect person to show up and help me out.  

With 133 folks racing in for their favorite Bingo winning seat, there were a few pushing and shoving incidents.  The problem is several of the member players will set up big wooden card holders, taking up an entire table just for themselves.  Getting them to move over and let new folks sit down, is a challenge.  They just refuse to have anyone sit on the other side of the table because "I can't SEE".  Hey, if I can see, YOU can see.  Let this nice man roll his wheelchair up to this table.  Maybe it will bring you good luck.  That never goes over so well.

The next lady came up saying she didn't get her change OR her receipt.  I am very conscientious about everything I do at that cash register (just for this reason), and I KNOW I gave it to her.  She came back three times and complained.  I told her to check in every pocket she had and not only her purse, but the purse of the gal she was with.  No need for the receipt, if you win, I will tell them you paid.

Thirty minutes later, she came back with receipt and cash in hand.  It was in her FRIENDS purse.  Yessiree ... bingo can be SO much fun!!

Lucky for us, there were no knock down drag out fights, and BOTH bingo callers showed up, meaning there were no boos or expletives thrown about because "he doesn't call right".  At the end of the night, I threw everything in the safe and raced out the door before anyone could stab me in the back.  

Oh wait ... I did make one quick trip to the walk-in.  I was given a box of deliciousness that I left in there so no one would steal them.  Here's a new recipe for you.  Anyone like tater tots?  I love them!  So our Chef fried up a bunch and dusted them with barbecue flavored salt.  No kidding, they were DELICIOUS!  Who would have thought of doing that?  In fact, any flavoring or seasoning you really like might be perfect on tater tots.  Even BACON SALT, which I just happen to have in my pantry.

That was it for the day ... not so exciting and still full of tears, but maybe just a bit better.  At least I'm not crying all day long.  Today I'm going to try and find a Urtopia folding electric bike to test drive.  I know there are none within 100 miles, so maybe that will keep me occupied for a time.  At only 31 pounds, I'm hoping it will fit in the front seat of the van when I travel, so no need for a bike rack.

Here's my happy boy's sweet face.  Oh how I miss him.