Women's League

Women's Pool League in the Rio Grande Valley. Front row left is Barb B. Barb U. is behind me peaking around and Renie S. is far right.

There are 7 two-person teams representing 7 parks in the valley. We could use one more team to even things out. We did okay for being newbies. Played 6 games in all and won 3.

Sharon and Camden

This pic makes me smile!

This is a picture of our friend, Sharon Mcquillen with her great-grandson Camden.

Womens league play.

 Barb Utech, Renie Stinson and I went to Magic Valley Resort to play in the women's league. Barb Utech and I played Alamo Palms the first 3 games and we won 2 of the 3. Renie and I played the second 3 games and won 1 against Alamo Rose. This was a double session because of the holidays. Normally we would play 5 games against another park. The scoring is different for us too. The winning team gets 10 points while the losing team gets the balls that they were able to get off the table, as little as 0 at most 7. I played well and that is my way of being happy with the outcome. For me, the score is secondary to how I played.

We play each week on Wednesdays in different parks. Trophy will be hosting on Wednesday, February 5th.

We had a good time and feel as though we could hold our own with the women who have been playing for decades.

Slow down!

 I want the world to slow down so we can savor what we enjoy. I'm aware that is a pipe dream, but I think that nearly every day. There are those who try to participate in nearly every activity. They must not be the savoring type or they are much better than I am at compartmentalizing.

There is a stark contrast between our Iowa life to our Texas life and believe it or not I enjoy both places!

We recycle in both places. Jefferson Iowa has made it so simple by providing a large container and picking up as often as once a month if needed. It is also simple here but in a different way. We have a container we have designated as our recycle tote. Once it is full we take it to a drive-thru recycle center where we place things in the well-marked locations. It takes less than 5 minutes. It makes us feel better to know we are doing what we can to keep our planet alive and healthy. What now goes to the landfill is a fraction of what we used to send there.

I want to find time to declutter our living quarters and currently that is the only thing on my agenda. It took a long time to get here. So while Butch is playing league pool this afternoon I hope to make some progress. Until then I plan to go to the pool hall and get some practice in.

Later...

Lazy or Overbooked?

 Dear Blog, 

You have been my lifeline to friends and family for 24 years. I feel so guilty when you slip by the wayside and it happens more frequently. Once again, I  will promise to do better. My week has contained quite a few things. Most of them fun.

Your creator,

Barb B.

Last Sunday at mixed doubles Butch and I were both in the top level of winners. Sunday Pool is fun as you play with a different partner each week and it is a different way to learn more about the people you play with.

Monday and Tuesday are ladies' days in the pool hall. The number of women taking advantage of this is disappointing. It points out the multitude of activities we all have access to and choosing what gets on your personal list is always a challenge.

Tuesday night is also trivia night and we have a respectable number showing up each week. It should pick up after the holidays as more people trickle in from the north. Still we have had 3 or 4 teams each week consistently. Renie has adjusted her own list of activities and resigned from trivia as my scorekeeper. We were lucky to get a new scorekeeper right away, Joyce Bromley. Joyce was looking for a place to volunteer and we filled the bill. Last week was her first time alone and she did very well.

Wednesday morning 3 of us went to check things out in the women's pool league we have joined out of the park. We now have a better feel for what is expected of us and how we will fit in.

Thursday Butch and I went to Nuevo Progreso Mexico. Our agenda went as planned...almost. First, we went down to see our old friend Hector and stock up on some needed meds. Always informational talking to Hector. It is a half-mile walk to his place but always worth the trip. Then we walked back to where all the tourists mingled and found our pedicure place. They were without electricity! But still, we had a most wonderful pedicure by flashlight; each and every toe was thoroughly massaged, trimmed, and defoliated. It felt like I had been gifted with new and happy feet. We made our way to Jessica's for lunch but the power outage took them out of business so we crossed back to US soil and went to the Alamo Restaurant in Alamo for lunch. It, too was delicious! It was a most pleasant day!

After lunch, we stopped at H.E.B. to stock up on a few items. On the way in I saw this pickup and simply had to take a picture of it.

Despite the look on his face, he seemed to be comfortable!

Friday is one of Butch's regular pool league days so it was a good day for me to catch up on things. He promises we will get some pool in today.

Till next time...

Mom's Best Meatloaf

 In my youth my mother made meatloaf on a regular basis. Didn't everyone's Mom?  I found this recipe a few years back. It is tried and true and my one and only. Butch's favorite too and everyone knows how picky he is! Simple is often the best way to go.

Enjoy!

Mom's Meat Loaf Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 1 hour + standing

MAKES: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• 3/4 cup milk

• 2/3 cup finely crushed saltines

• 1/2 cup chopped onion

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage

• Dash pepper

• 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)

• 1 cup ketchup

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into an 8x4-in. loaf in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan.

2. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients, stirring to dissolve sugar; remove 1/2 cup for sauce. Spread remaining mixture over meat loaf.

3. Bake 60-65 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with reserved sauce. Yield: 6 servings.

Originally published as Mom's Meat Loaf in Taste of Home June/July 1997, p35

Lithium batteries and other news

 We have decided to change to lithium batteries in our Texas golf cart.

1. They are less expensive

2. They last longer (perhaps 10 years)

3. They weigh less

4. Do not need charged as often

5. They are faster and I don't care about that one.

They are arriving today.

We are having a bit of a cold wave in South Texas. It was 59 degrees this morning and is not expected to get much warmer today. The cold waves are more frequent and colder than they used to be. I remember when we were first coming down here in the winter, I would bring one pair of jeans, just in case, and now I have several.

As interpreted these days a cold spell is in the low 70's in the day and low 50's at night and that would be a normal cold/cool spell. Once in a while there might be a bonafide wingding of a cold front but those still only happen once or twice per  season and then only for a day or two. When that happens Chili will be brewing in nearly every household!

I have new glasses, purchased at Costco. After shopping around, Costco was the place. 

Not much can be done at a certain age. Pretty is out of the question. So we are settling for pleasant. It seems my lips have disappeared completely. Inside I am in my prime.😊 Too much info... I know