CHRISTMAS SEASON IN ARIZONA !

 Now that the pins and needles are gone, we have settled back to enjoy the Christmas Season!! Gary had a health issue when he had the doctor check his acid reflux. So we were on edge until testing was finished, with the results "all is okay but check back in a year". Now we have put it out of mind except to watch his diet to avoid the acid reflex. It is a challenge as we usually use plenty of foods that have tomatoes and onions in them as well as the fat. So I am trying to think of new foods to serve!! I'm awful slow on the uptake for this though. He is not to have much more coffee, chocolate, pop and the list goes on.
In the mean time here at Mesa Regal, we got to attend the East Valley Chorale Concert at our ballroom and it sure was a full house.  Lovely music and very enjoyable. The Hall was so full of people that they were even sitting around the choir director!! It's too bad that the stage was not large enough for them!! Or at least the choir, with the orchestra on the main floor in front of the stage. But they didn't ask us!!
These pictures only show part of their group at a time!! I don't have wide angel lens and would have too much extra in the pictures.

That was a Sunday evening program.  Then on Wednesday, December 13th, we met our Salem friends,

Bill and Jane, with other

Snowbird friends of theirs from El Mirage RV Resort west of Phoenix for a Dinner and Christmas Show at Barleens.
Barleen's, known as the Arizona Opry has been located out at Apache Junction east of Mesa for many years. This is out near Superstition Mountains.

We were impressed with the dinner as well as the entertainment and hope to go back again!!

The father, Lloyd Barleen, who started the business many years ago, died in 2014 from Alzheimer's, and the twin daughter's and their families have kept it going.   One of the musicians paid tribute to him by telling of his failing mind when they would visit him in his last days. They said he might not remember their names, but when they put his musical instruments in his hands he could still remember the songs and play!!

Lloyd Barleen and his instruments.

His twin daughters:

Pictures of some other musicians:

Note the hair-do on the fellow in the center!!
Must have taken a can of gel!!! He was funny too.

One of the last specials, was the steel drum player.

This fellow was an awesome singer of the religious songs
of the season, and he also played other characters early in
the program, such as Barney Fife!

Scene on screen.

Like I said we will try this again!!
We also had a Street Potluck this week and got better acquainted with people along our street. We enjoy these and also enjoyed the game that we played, naming the Christmas songs. I am ready to share this with our Sunday School Class back in Ohio!!
We are still keeping busy with our hobbies as usual, and shopping patio sales and thrift shops.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!!!