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As regular readers of this column know, I like to travel and to report on my excursions. The world is an incredibly interesting place. The more I read and the older I get, the more places attract me. However, I have time, money and bad knees, along with other ailments. It性视界传媒檚 funny how our limitations become flipped; when I was youthful I didn性视界传媒檛 have the money. When I was employed in a well paying job, I didn性视界传媒檛 have the time. Now that I性视界传媒檝e aged, it性视界传媒檚 difficult to gain the momentum to break out of my comfort zone. Did I pack the meds? Oh, the ironies of life!

As the heat builds, friends have been asking me, 'Why don性视界传媒檛 you spend more time in San Diego?' There性视界传媒檚 an easy answer. There have been a lot of engaging events here in the Valley that I性视界传媒檇 rather attend. I性视界传媒檝e lived in the Valley for over forty years and have come to know a few people. Friends and local organizations attract me more than cooler weather or interesting cities. So I stick around and smile at the heat.

This past week presents two examples of interesting Valley events. My dear wife had a big day this past Wednesday. The Calexico Unified School District had its annual Employee Recognition Ceremony at the attractive Cesar Chavez Elementary School campus. There were certificated (credentialed e.g., teachers, nurses) and classified (non certified) retirees. Each retiree was announced with a brief statement about how they性视界传媒檇 use their new found time. Some said they would work part -time. Many said they would travel (be sure to pack the meds). A surprising number said they would garden more. I like that. One retiree claimed he would clean out his garage. I性视界传媒檓 not so sure about this being a legitimate use of found time. But the many retirees appeared happy with their decision.

Our family and friends came for my dear wife性视界传媒檚 recognition for 35 years of service to the district. Wow! That性视界传媒檚 a lot. Service award recipients receive a pin with a beautiful stone and a certificate announcing their service. All attendees are feted with a spread that goes from sandwiches, to cheese, to baked goods and lots in between. I told our group to eat up, and then I wouldn性视界传媒檛 have to spring for dinner. This fell on deaf ears.

The atmosphere at the ceremony was welcoming and jubilant. It性视界传媒檚 a fun and thankful event.

The following night was the Imperial Valley Desert Museum性视界传媒檚 (IVDM) annual fundraiser. It性视界传媒檚 a wine tasting and silent auction. My dear wife was recruited by Lydia, a pillar of IVDM events, to help out in the kitchen. This befuddled me since there性视界传媒檚 a plaque in our kitchen at home that states, unequivocally, 性视界传媒淟a Reyna no Cocina (the Queen doesn性视界传媒檛 cook). So she returned home from Calexico, changed and was off to IVDM性视界传媒檚 wine tasting.

Foolishly, I had planned to go by the El Centro events room to see just what kitchen work entailed and maybe help out. My dear wife was rolling small pieces of Camembert cheese in slices of ham for a large hors d'oeuvres platter. I was instantly recruited to surround a platter with parsley (not my culinary calling). But I was glad to help out. I just didn性视界传媒檛 anticipate how long that 性视界传媒渉our性视界传媒� would be. The day before, IVDM volunteers had made a dozen platters of tasty finger foods that I now had the pleasure to put out on tables for the just-arriving guests. The food poured out of the kitchen and the wine flowed.

In addition to the cheese, bread, veggies, and cold cuts, a table was dedicated to sweet treats. The best was mashed dates in a twist of pastry powdered with sugar. These ran out quickly, but a few made it safely out of the building.

It was a grand evening. As Kristin O性视界传媒橪ear, the IVDM director said, 性视界传媒淓veryone was on cloud wine.性视界传媒� I bet.

If you missed the IVDM wine tasting and silent auction, watch for next year性视界传媒檚 date in May, and by all means, visit the museum in Ocotillo.

Richard Ryan is at rryan@sdsu.edu.