Sunday through Sunday, November 16-30, 2025—Kicking Off the Holiday Season

As Thanksgiving day approached, the holiday season, at least for us, slowly accelerates. As always, there will be good times with family and friends, and too much food.

I continue playing golf, as weather conditions permit—yes, I’m a “fair-weather” golfer—and the both of us play pickleball up to four times a week, again as weather conditions permit.

On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, we enjoyed an early Thanksgiving meal with Ron and Cheryl and their immediate family. The occasion was to celebrate Kaden (Ron’s son and KK’s oldest grandson) and Diane’s visit from San Antonio. And then, another feast was celebrated on Thanksgiving day, again at Ron’s, with KK’s family and Cheryl’s family. It’s always good to see family during the holidays, especially the grandkids.

Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving was pickleball play for the both of us—a great way to unwind after all the food and celebration.

I spent a good portion of this reporting period making a YouTube video, “Sizing, Printing, Matting, and Framing a Photo”. This was the 23rd or 24th video created, and though they’re fun to create, they don’t get a lot of views.

Photography has slowed a bit during this transition between fall and winter, as the birds have a lot of natural food available, and don’t hang out in the nearby trees and shrubs. However, on Monday, November 17, a few birds showed up including a Golden-crowned Kinglet, Tufted Titmouse, and Carolina Chickadee.

But the real star of the “show” was a Turkey Vulture perched in an adjacent tree.

Turkey Vulture

A few more birds began appearing towards the end of the month. In addition to the regulars, species observed included a Downy Woodpecker, Pine Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Dark-eyed Junco.

Downy Woodpecker
Pine Warbler
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Dark-eyed Junco

Saturday through Saturday, November 1-15, 2025—A Trip to Gulf Shores, Mississippi

It appears that our life has ceased being exciting as we’re settling down, enjoying friends and the amenities Hot Springs Village has to offer. We continue playing golf or pickleball almost everyday. 

Kay stayed with the Maumelle, Arkansas, grands Friday through Sunday, November 7-9, 2025, while I kept vigil over the house.

The highlight of the month so far was a stay in Gulf Shores, Mississippi. We traveled to Gulf Shores on Monday, November 10, 2025, and departing there on Friday, November 14, 2025. Helen and Donald Baggett hosted Mary and Steve, Bev and Ron, and Kay and I for the week in a 4 bedroom/4 bath condo on the beach.

We had a delightful time evidenced by the facts that we did not play any board games nor had the television on the entire visit. Helen and Donald were such great hosts.

Great food was eaten, and many stories were shared.The eight of us did play pickleball on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

After pickleball on Thursday, Kay and I ventured out to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, to hopefully find a few late migrating birds. Regretfully, we did not see any, but did photograph Brown Pelicans and Willets.

Granddaughter Aker came to visit for the weekend, and on Saturday, November 15, 2025, she and Kay visited the Mid-America Museum in Hot Springs. She had a great time, and is quite the innovative little girl, definitely with a scientific mind.