Today was such a nice day, despite storm warnings it was sunny and mostly bright. We all met up at the monument, 5 of us students, and Annie our teacher. The park is high up above Palm Desert and has a kind of serene desert magic about it.
We played our flutes outside, I had a new flute of a different type than my usual, it is a key of C Anasazi flute, so it can play both minor and major scales, and has the most lovely deep sound. It was made by Stephen DeRuby, who lives right near where we were for the Yosemite Flute Festival in September, in Oakhurst, CA.
It's cedar, as it has a beautiful smell too, and a very long slim body. He made it specially for me, a leftie, the lower holes curve off to the left side so they are easier to reach. He has a special mouthpiece on them making them easier to blow. To get a minor scale you play 2 notes together as one, and to get a major scale you play 2 other notes together as one. It's very fascinating.
Annie had her amp and mike, we had taken chocolate peppermint bark to munch on, and we were mostly dressed in bright Christmas red and black, so we all looked very festive. The 2 new students who have only been playing for 4 months are doing incredibly well.
We exchanged Christmas cards and wee gifties, it was fun. We had compliments on our playing too from folks visiting the monument, and there was a group of painters painting the desert scenery outdoors. Also they have several bird feeders nearby, that are very busy with bird activity, and a busy hummingbird feeder,so it contributes to the overall feeling of enchantment.
Annie also brought me my new decorative stepping stone that I had made in her workshop one morning, it turned out very nicely too. It felt great to create something pretty.
A storm was forecast but seems to have mostly passed us by, we got a few drops of rain and some very black clouds passed over us, the winds are coming from the east and the desert, which is different from those that come from the west and the ocean.
When it rains we try to tuck the golf cart under our aluminum awning at home, as the seats get very wet otherwise.
Earlier this week on Monday there was a board meeting which all owners attend here in our park, it is interesting to hear the business discussion about running the park, and the members' suggestions.
Tuesday we went over to Chip's around noon, he fed us and Annie chicken noodle soup, and we played our flutes a bit, and showed him how the amp and mini mike works that hooks right up to your flute itself. It was a happy afternoon.
Wednesday I, Di went out with Wendy and another friend from Victoria, Yvette, to the Jackalope Ranch for lunch. Both Yvette and I have December birthdays. Yvette showed us around Sun City where she rents a room in a house from a lady, it is a very impressive development with tons and tons of amenities, it has about 5000 houses, and a beautiful golf course and clubhouse, with many many organized activities and clubs. Lary and I were there last winter for a symphony concert. Yvette golfs, and is making jewellry, among her other activities. She is renting a room from a lady, she showed us the house before we went to lunch.
It was warm enough to sit out on the deck in the gardens at Jackalope Ranch, so we had a nice visit together, and a delicious lunch, then we shopped a bit before I dropped Yvette off at her place, and Wendy and I had a cuppa tea at her house. It looks so pretty decorated for Christmas, and it is very pretty looking out on the golf course from inside their house. Dave can golf right there. They overlook the second tee on a 9 hole course. Wendy and Dave's daughter and 2 children are arriving soon for 2 weeks.
That brings me to this morning, we had coffee and doughnuts up at the clubhouse, and had a short business meeting. When you attend them, you hear what's going on around our park, both business and social events. Our clubhouse is being renovated, new commercial ovens installed, and new countertops installed in the kitchen area. A utility room has been redone, and improved. Very positive.
