Odds and Ends

• Carol and Gary Martin and their Golden Retrievers arrived from Victoria this week. Although I've made so many new friends at Golden Village, it was especially exciting to see familiar faces from home, even if two of them are dogs.
  

• Generally I don't get along well with dogs. I don't dislike all dogs but I sure don't like ones that are big enough to push me down since most are hellbent on doing just that. The Martins' goldens are definitely in the big-enough category and I braced myself as they unleashed the hounds. Amazingly, the dogs seemed quite content to ignore me. Could it be that the relaxation of the past four months has so drastically altered my aura?
  

• To my delight, Carol brought a stash of Hawkins Cheezies, one of many Canadian treasures not available in the US. I can't help but lament the paltry selection of junk food and candy in a country where even the smallest grocery stores feature a full row of beer, liquor and wine. The most popular wines are "Two Buck Chuck" available only at a gourmet store and "Golden Leaf" a Wal-Mart owned brand that sells for $1.97.

• With the days of March racing by, there is now a mere three weeks until I will be driving through the Golden Village exit gate. Six weeks thereafter is my deadline for crossing the border back into Canada. I don't yet have a travel plan but have started considering the endless options; e.g., Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and the Dakotas or coastal California, Oregon and Washington. Be sure to cry me a river for having to face such a tough decision!

• For as incredibly relaxed and laid back as my life is right now, the thought of 'going back to work' is like a blinking light in my peripheral vision. This is especially true as snowbird friends plan their departures and talk about next year; who's coming back, how long they will stay, and locking in this year's rates by booking space now.
  

• With time now flying by, I've decided I won't commit my remaining Golden Village days to the art group or the writing group or any other activity that I could make time for at home. Instead I will be focusing on socializing and my California do-list that includes Hemet's art gallery, museum and old-town antique and thrift shops - all exploration musts.
  

• My schedule also includes two trips to the Dr. Phil Show. Who knew there would be such a strict code of conduct for the audience? Clothing must be business casual, pantsuits or blazers. No white, no beige, no elaborate patterns or jeans. No talking to Dr. Phil or asking for autographs. Cameras, cell phones and other electronic devices are confiscated for the duration of the program. Audience wannabes must produce photo i.d., submit to a security check and walk through an airport style electronic body scanner before being allowed to enter the studio. Sheesh, I suspect it might be easier to get into the White House!