PALM DESERT SENIOR GAMES - DAY 1

Feb 08 - 10 - Another year and another Palm Desert Senior Games!  This is their poster for 2013!

 We no longer participate in the Palm Desert Senior Games, but we still enjoy watching the play and meeting up with old friends!

This gentleman had an unusual display at the gate as we went in.  Tennis shoes with replaceable tops!!

Notice how the top of the shoe zips off so you can replace it was another look!!  After purchasing one pair of shoes, you can buy just the additional tops.

Today the schedule was Men's Singles, Women's Doubles.  Our friend, Bill, participated in Men's Singles.  He's from Richmond, VA.  He made us proud!!

Bill and his wife, Val.

We missed Jessie's matches but caught up with her and her medal!

Spectators from our campground:  Jim, Shirley, Carole, Ken, Linda O. and Faye.  It was ever so cold and windy!!  Notice how bundled up we are!!

Rick served as Referee for several of the games!

Our prodigy, Judy in purple, with her friend and partner, Stephanie.

Later in the afternoon, Stephanie and Judy played Women's Doubles.

The day was miserably cold and windy.  We left before the games were over, but we'll be back on Saturday!!

PALM DESERT SENIOR GAMES, DAY 2

The schedule for the second day of the Senior Games was Women's Singles and Men's Doubles.  Some of the finals from Friday needed to be played today also.

I mentioned how cold and windy it was yesterday.  Snow fell on the surrounding mountains during the night!  But today was a much better day, weather wise!

You may have noticed the ZZT Sports banners in some of the pictures from Day 1.  That is the Pickleball business of our good friends Spike and Linda.  Here is Spike with their son Jerald who was helping wrap grips and sell paddles at the Games.  Nice to meet you Jerald!!

Jim P. and Wendell were partners in the Men's Doubles!

Spectators watching the intense match:  Richard, Becky, Shirley, Linda O., Jim  M's Wife Ad, Jim M., Carole, Clint.

This is Jan, the Announcer for the Games.  I made a point to speak to him today because I wanted to let him know how much I enjoyed his commentary -- his humorous comments in an otherwise dull announcement.  "We need Referees.  Short, Tall, it doesn't matter.  We just need Referees."  "We need volunteers to be Referees.  If we don't get any, we'll be here all night!"  Jan was very surprised to learn that anyone enjoyed his comments!  (That's the wrapped microphone in his right hand -- not an ice cream cone!!)

After winning Gold in Women's Doubles yesterday, long time friend Pat played Women's Singles.

Long time friend Pat playing a singles match.

Pat's match was against Meg.  Meg drove all the way down from Long Beach by herself to play in the Games.  Pat and I met this very nice lady yesterday when she was asking for information.  Meg was just unlucky that she came up against Pat in her very first match!

Bill finished up his Gold Medal Match in the Men's Singles from yesterday!  Winning!!!  Congratulations Bill!

Our prodigy Judy is playing Women's Singles today.  We did not teach her That!!

Ken and Paul watching Judy's match.

More spectators watching her match:  Gloria, Faye, Linda O. Cathy, Oland, Stephanie.

Amazing shot, Judy!

Judy ultimately lost this match in three sets!!  What impressed us spectators was that she came off the court with a big smile on her face.  "I still love this game!' she exclaimed.

On the next court were Jim M. and Clint in their Men's Doubles match.

Spectators watching one of the matches:  Richard, Becky, Shirley, Jim P., Clint, Linda O., Ad, Jim M. 

Paul D. from Del Webb Sun City (right) and his partner.

Ken and I were finished watching Pickleball for another day!

PALM DESERT SENIOR GAMES, DAY 3

Feb. 10 - Third and final day of the Palm Desert Senior Games.  Today's schedule was Mixed Doubles.

Jessie (right) and her partner enjoy their match.  Jessie is still quite a star!

Dave and his partner make a good play!

Pat is challenged in her Mixed Doubles match.  They tried to play everything to her, but she's too tough!

Ran into these busy workers:  Chuck, Linda B. and Rick.

Jim P. and his partner play against -

Joe and his wife Patty.  This was Patty's first tournament.  She did a good job!

Although they didn't win this match, they had a good time.

Spectators watched the match.  Wayne, unknown, Faye, Barb, Martin, Ken, Dave.

Paul D and Joe were co-Referees for one of the matches.

Judy's partner, Stephanie, is Bill's Mixed Doubles partner.

Judy (right) and her Mixed Doubles partner, Chris.  Judy told us the other day that they are partners in more than just Pickleball!  Congratulations, you guys!

We ran into long time friend Jim E. as we were leaving.

We had to get our annual picture with friends Linda and Spike!  See you next year!!!

Ken and I agreed that we used to know almost everyone who played in the games.  Now there are more and more players that we do not know.  It was still a whole lot of fun!!

CHICKEN GUMBO ON FAT TUESDAY!

Feb 02 - It's Fat Tuesday -- the last day of Mardi Gras!!!  How did Mardi Gras happen so fast and I made no plans to celebrate!!  We had to do something!!

Last year we had a little Mardi Gras celebration and Walt prepared Jambalaya!  This year I decided to make Chicken Gumbo for the first time!  Little did I realize it would be an All Day Project!!  First I had to find a recipe I thought we could actually prepare!  Settled on Paula Deen's recipe for Chicken Sausage Gumbo.  Then we went to WinCo and bought all the ingredients.

Ken chopped all the vegetables while I cooked the chicken breast and sausage.  We put it all together and cooked and stirred and cooked and stirred for several hours.  Just before serving we added half a pound of cooked shrimp!

It was a quite Mardi Gras celebration, just the two of us, but we really enjoyed our Chicken Sausage Gumbo served over rice!!  However, next time we will probably just buy a couple of cans of Campbell's Chicken Gumbo!!  HA HA