Welcome to May the start of Summer. As you will notice many things are being removed form the calendar as May also indicates the Snowbirds all having gone back to cooler climates. We have taken Potlucks, Cards & Games, and Stitching and Crafting off of the weekly calendar. Pickleball will move to earlier times to accommodate for the heat. 

Summer also bring many day and short term visitors to the Ranch please be the amazing people that we know you are and keep in mind See Something Say Something. If a new person is not acting appropriately you can gently correct the behavior or report it to the office so that we can get it corrected. 

Let’s go a little off topic this month with an idea that serendipitously presented itself and is worth sharing. Recently, one of our residents had a medical emergency which landed him in hospital for a few days. He is fine and back to SHANGRI LA RANCH where he received many heartfelt welcomes and good wishes.

One afternoon, unbeknownst to him, his car key-fob was under a butt-towel on the sofa. Well, guess what – the vehicle’s alarm sounded when he sat down! Confused, he looked around, found the key and shut the horn off. There soon was a knock at the door from an attentive neighbour who ran across to see if everything was all right or if there was yet another emergency.

That’s where the idea was sparked. It makes no difference what age we are, sooner or later we all will suffer a medical situation. We, as a society, have become so dependent on our smart cellphones that a lot of us think of it as our only source of communication. If that little hand-held device isn’t within arm’s reach, we may as well be on a deserted island; but we’re not.

Practically every modern vehicle comes with a battery-operated fob for basic functions like locking/unlocking doors, opening the trunk, and even remote starting of the engine. Most also have a PANIC button – which, by the way, is not for finding your ride lost in a car park – in case of an emergency. In our small Ranch community, this may prove a faster way to get attention.

This month we are talking about water safety, not just drink your water but also watch your water usage.

First and foremost as the temperature heats up be sure to be drinking water. Based on recommendations from multiple sources the average person should be drinking about 6 cups of just plain water a day. Limit your daily sun exposure to help you recover and do not dehydrate. Alcohol, Coffee, and Energy Drinks are not water and do not help to keep you hydrated. In addition you can also help yourself by adding a bit of electrolytes either in the form of adding a powdered solution to water or by drinking a known electrolyte drink. Once you being to feel thirsty you are already dehydrated. 

It was a a very dry winter with essentially no rain. Please be cautious and conscious of your water usage. Inform the office of any leaks that you see or running water. We also ask that you refrain from any un-necessary use of water such as washing vehicles. 

Sam pulled into the parking lot at Shangri La Ranch just as the sun peeked over the desert hills, casting a warm glow over the resort. It was a perfect Saturday morning—clear blue skies, a hint of a breeze, and the promise of two solid hours of pickleball.

He grabbed his paddle from the passenger seat and stepped out of his car. The air was still crisp, but he knew it wouldn’t take long for the Arizona sun to heat things up. Adjusting the towel draped over his shoulder, he made his way toward the pickleball courts.

Shangri La Ranch was a place of comfort and freedom, a community where clothing was optional and acceptance was the norm. Sam had been coming here for nearly a year, having discovered it through a friend who promised a welcoming atmosphere and some of the best pickleball matches around. He quickly found that the resort’s laid-back culture meshed well with his love for the sport.

As he reached the courts, he saw familiar faces warming up. There was Greg, the retired firefighter with an intimidating serve; Lisa, whose backhand was as sharp as her wit; and Roger, the friendly but fierce competitor who had once been a ranked player. Sam greeted them with a wave, setting his towel and water bottle on the bench before stretching.

“Morning, Sam,” Lisa called out, bouncing a pickleball on her paddle. “Ready to get schooled?”

Sam grinned. “Bring it on.”

They played doubles first, Sam pairing up with Roger against Lisa and Greg. The game started with lighthearted banter, but as the volleys lengthened and the points became more contested, a quiet intensity took over. Sam loved this feeling—the rhythm of the game, the quick movements, the challenge of anticipating his opponents’ next shots.

Greg smashed a ball toward Sam’s side, and he barely managed to return it with a desperate flick of his wrist. Roger, quick on his feet, stepped in and sent the ball spinning toward the sideline. Lisa lunged, but the ball skimmed past her outstretched paddle and landed in.

“Nice shot!” Lisa admitted, shaking her head as she retrieved the ball.

By the end of the first hour, sweat glistened on everyone’s skin despite the gentle breeze. They took a short break, hydrating and sharing stories about their week. Sam sipped his water, relishing the sense of camaraderie. He had played pickleball at many places, but there was something unique about the games at Shangri La. Maybe it was the easygoing attitude, the mutual respect, or the simple joy of playing unencumbered. Whatever it was, it kept him coming back.

As they rotated partners for another round, Sam found himself paired with Lisa against Roger and Greg. The match was fast-paced, each player pushing the others to their limits. Lisa’s reflexes were sharp, and Sam quickly adapted to her style, covering ground where needed. A particularly long rally had all four of them scrambling, the ball darting back and forth like a well-placed chess move. Finally, Sam saw an opening and executed a perfect drop shot just over the net.

The ball landed softly, impossible to reach in time. Game point.

Greg threw up his hands. “Alright, alright. I’ll give you that one.”

They all laughed, stretching their sore muscles as they decided to call it a morning. The two hours had flown by, leaving Sam pleasantly exhausted. He retrieved his towel and wiped his face, then sat on the bench, watching the others chat and unwind. This, he thought, was what Saturdays were meant for—good company, great competition, and the freedom to be himself.

As he headed back toward his car, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He’d be back next weekend, paddle in hand, ready to do it all over again

Desert ironwood is a member of the pea family and its leaves and flowers resemble the sweet pea. This single- or multi-trunk tree reaches heights of twenty-five feet with a nearly equal spread, and is slow-growing. Ironwood is one of the oldest living tree species and provides desert plants and animals with nutrients and shelter, providing shade for quail, doves and small rodents. It produces a bluish-gray, leathery, oval leaf with fine hairs and develops an attractive wide-spreading crown at maturity. The bark on young trees is smooth and gray, becoming wrinkled as the tree ages. The young trees have branches with thorns that disappear as they age. In early spring through late spring, clusters of pea-like flowers appear which range from pale rose to pink or white. The blossoms grow in arches at the end of the branches in a beautiful color display. After the flowers fade, edible, brown seedpods develop, which become a major food supply for wildlife. When given supplemental irrigation, the tree remains an evergreen. In its natural habitat, it sheds its leaves during dry periods to conserve water. The wood of the ironwood is hard and dense and is used for woodworking, charcoal, and firewood. Its heartwood is dark brown and takes a beautiful polish.  Use it as a screen, background, buffer tree, or as a transitional plant to separate the desert from more tropical and high water-use plantings. Ironwood is also a good choice for shading a patio or an informal sitting area. The tree is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, where it grows below 2,500 feet in sandy washes, rocky slopes, and valleys. It also grows natively in the southeastern California deserts, Baja California, and Sonora, Mexico.

https://horticultureunlimited.com/plant-guide/desert-ironwood/

Polish Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

 
▢3 Cucumbers peeled & thinly sliced

• ▢1/4 cup Red Onion thinly sliced

• ▢1/4 cup Fresh Dill chopped

• ▢1/2 cup Sour Cream we use lactose free

• ▢2 tsp Salt (divided)

• ▢1 Lemon

Instructions

• Peel the cucumbers and slice into thin rounds. Place them in a strainer over a bowl and sprinkle with 1 tsp of salt and let sit for 5-10 minutes (this allows the cucumber to release extra water)

• Add the thinly sliced red onion, chopped dill, juice of 1 lemon, sour cream and remaining tsp of salt into a mixing bowl and stir to combine.

• Stir in the cucumbers when they are done straining. Let chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes befoer serving

• Note

  Be sure to let the salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. It needs that time to develop flavor and it tastes the best chilled.

ShangriLa is hosting community swim camp again this year.

Classes will be on Tues/Wed/Thursday for 2 weeks. June 10, 11, 12 and 17, 18, 19. 10:00 am to 1:00pm

It is a fabulous opportunity to serve the New River community. During this time it is mandatory to be dressed around the park.

National Skinny Dip Day is July 12th this year if you are wanting to participate in the annual picture in the pool.

Reservations are open to everyone for all summer holiday we are already booked for Memorial Day with a Waitlist 4th of July Weekend and Labor Day weekend still have varied availability.