During our winters in Arizona we have been blessed to make a number of friends from Canada.   Most have been folks from British Columbia and Alberta but we did meet Rob and Kris from Ontario in Tucson a couple years ago.  We were glad to re-connect with Rob and Kris here in Mesa.  I just wish I’d remembered to take a picture!

This is where we’ve lived for the last few weeks,  D Street at Towerpoint Resort in Mesa.   There are a number of Canadians from Manitoba staying on D Street.  On this day there were six Canadian flags, and two American flags flying!

And there was this one!  I don’t know if this flag represents a mixed marriage or Canadians trying to honor both countries.

The Olympics have enabled some good natured fun and competition, but overall there is a great sense of camaraderie in the park. This past week the resort held a festival honoring the United States and Canada.

There was a king and queen from both countries to reign over the festivities which culminated in a big parade.

My favorite activity in the park has been Zumba and our group walked and danced in the parade.

It was a cold morning (45ish) so we had some liquid fortitude.

We warmed up in the staging area.  I’m the one in the long pants!

Randy carried the Zumba banner.

Uncle Sam is our only Zumba guy.

There were a number of nice floats.  This one represents the Peace Arch at the international border between Blaine, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia.

We were there in 2014!

In another story of friendship, we learned about a restaurant in Phoenix called the Joy Bus Diner.  The story began in 2011 as one friend helped another with meals during cancer treatments.

The story evolved into a 100% non-profit restaurant whose mission it is to provide “chef crafted meals and caring conversation to cancer patients.”

We were happy to go for lunch and support the effort.  Friends, together making a difference.