Friday, December 12

Friday, December 12, 2003
We played golf yesterday at The Palms. I played 9 then drove home while Butch stayed and played another 9. I played with Lucy and Arlene. Butch played with the guys. Arlene was not having a good day. She said she should have stayed home and baked Christmas cookies. I have never before heard that on the golf course!
Butch’s sister, Marlene and her husband Bernard will be getting to their place in Harlingen this weekend. It will be good to see them. They have their Christmas with kids and grandkids on Thanksgiving weekend and then venture south. Last year they stopped in a Kansas casino and won $2000. That Brooker blood is lucky, I tell you! They stop to see relatives on the way down here. This year they almost waited too long. They snuck out of Iowa between storms.
I have learned to make working links in this blog now so when I refer you to a website you should be able to click on it within the blog and go directly to the website. One of the things we are thinking of doing while here is to tour King Ranch. You can visit the same website I did to find out about it.

Thursday, December 11

Thursday, December 11, 2003
Went to Brownsville on Tuesday. SAS Factory Outlet and Sam’s Club. We ate lunch at Lubys in the Sunrise Mall and then walked the entire perimeter of the Mall. We needed to walk off all we ate. On our walk we came across a two-level Merry-Go-Round or Carousel. What’s the difference, I wonder? This thing was beautiful; all lit up like a Christmas tree. There were some little kids riding it with their mama’s and they were having a blast laughing and giggling. Who would have guessed that a Merry-Go-Round could hold its thrill for the newest generation? I posted a picture of it on Webshots. I tried to upgrade my blog so I could put pictures in the appropriate places. The blog people are not accepting upgrades right now. It isn’t often that people will not take your money.

The plan yesterday was to go for a bike ride but a cold front went through and at departure time (8:00 A M) it was only 47 degrees. Too cold for biking so we changed our plans and did laundry instead. We had the laundry room to ourselves. That will change in January when the Snowbirds who wait till after Christmas come down.
We walked to the famous Don-Wes Flea Market and looked the place over. It is always fun to look. I did see a couple items of interest that I may go back and look at again to see if my interest held up to the test of time. We stopped at the Farmers Market on the way home and loaded up. Butch grilled burgers for supper while I prepared hash browns and sautéed some onion and pepper rings.

There is one spot under the steps that Angel can slip out of in the screen room. I look the other way now and then and let her go. She doesn’t venture far and comes back when I call her, which is strange. There are other cats in the park with ID collars that move about unleashed. I do not believe they are a problem but if there is even one complaint Angel will have to lose her little bit of freedom. She seems to be content now that her home isn’t rockin’ and rollin’ down the highway.

Monday, December 8

Monday, December 08, 2003
Butch is golfing today with Bob Toomire so this is the first time I have had some alone time since we left Arkansas. It is 72 degrees outdoors. I have walked a mile so far today. Stopped at the mailbox and mailed a letter to Bob Turnbull. Turned on the computer and checked email. I have a crockpot full of stew in progress. Life is good.

Yesterday Butch and I played golf at the ShortShot Golf Course. The longest hole on this 18-hole course is 97 yards so it is aptly named. We walked and I carried three clubs, a seven iron, pitching wedge and putter. This course is located about 5 miles west of us. It was fun and I assume we will play there again. Butch shot a 60 and I a 78. Once again I had trouble keeping my focus. This course has a website at http://www.shortshot18.com/
if you would like to check it out.

I need to make another trip to the Farmer’s Market for cabbage, carrots, celery, jicama, grapefruit and maybe an onion or two. I think I will wait till I have help to carry. We walk the quarter mile down there but if you miscalculate the amount you buy it can be a long walk home.

Our neighbor to the east, there is an open spot between us, is from Des Moines. She reminds me of Erma Lensch in build, looks etc. She drives her Class C Motor Home down here towing her car by herself. She had one of the local fellows who work in the park help guide her into her spot. Her car is pretty banged up on one side from prior misjudgements. It drove Butch nuts to watch the procedure so I told him to quit looking. I admire her spunk.