I don't often bang my own drum, but this week is different. After my retirement as a Police Chief in October, Diana and I picked a very nice RV Resort Park in which to spend the winter. As it turns out, this was a very good choice this year - to get out of Wisconsin, that is. With record snowfalls and record low temps, we were happy to be warmly ensconced in our gated, 55+ community in Arizona.
The people here are wonderful, albeit a little more aged than we are, so we smiled at the quaint activities in the park such as bingo (every Wednesday), Men's Coffee, shuffleboard, dirty board, pickle ball, and the like. After a few weeks we deigned to play bingo (daubers ready) and even won a couple of times. We still smile as we pass the shuffleboard court, however.
This last week the park celebrated the Chinese New Year, complete with Chinese lantern contests on each street, an authentic Chinese dinner one night, and finally an international competition of sorts in a Park Olympics. The categories were many, from the aforementioned shuffleboard and pickle ball, to more sublime whooshing and smooshing (Don't ask, I haven't a clue).
With our athletic prowess, we signed up for a couple of events not wanting to be thought of as anti-social. We showed up at the appointed times, eying our adversaries in the auditorium. It began to get tense. The games began and we finally took our turns (it was all individual competition).
We waited with bated breath (whatever that is) for the Friday night awards. The opening ceremony for the Olympics was brief but poignant. We all sang O Canada, followed by the Star-Spangled Banner. The medals were displayed on the stage, hanging from a PVC pipe holder askew under the weight. We sat through the awards for best pickle baller, pocket pooler (really!), and shuffleboarder. We applauded the bean bag competitors (divided by age group, over 60, 70, and 80), the water volley ball spikers, and the best putters.
Finally, our events were about to be called. I looked at Diana and she smiled back nervously. Did either of us make the cut? In our first event, alas, we did not earn a medal. We were not fastest in the Cup Stacking competition. We smiled wanly and applauded graciously as three others took the Bronze, Silver, and Gold. One more event to be called and yes! I heard the announcer man call, "Jerry Jansen" and I marched to the stage to stand with the other winners as the camera flashes momentarily blinded us.
I was so proud as I bowed my head to allow the short little medal-giver lady place the Silver Medal around my neck. Second place in the Men's Crossword puzzle. Not bad, huh?
1 comment:
Yes, but did you use pen?
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