Written Tuesday February 11th, 2004
The Mariachi performance was wonderful. It is a music program put on by the University of Texas Pan American. All of these college students are excellent vocalists and play at least one instrument besides. The group of about 40 plays violins, trumpets, guitars, a harp and an accordion. The accordion player was absent for the night that we were attending but I have no doubts that he too is extremely talented. It was well worth the $5.00 price of admission.

On Saturday we went to Padre to visit Jack and Jan Tallman who are staying in a condo there. After tennis we went to Blackbeards for lunch and then wandered around the island enjoying the kites and the birds at the proposed World Birding Center next to the South Padre Island Convention Center. We returned to Tallman's condo to enjoy the spectacular 8th floor view and play some cribbage.

On the way to the island we became entangled in the Rodeo Days Parade traffic at Los Fresnos. We had to consult a map to find our way out of town and take an alternate route to South Padre. On the alternate route we came upon the burning of a cane field. It is a spectacular event and I tried to capture it in digital splendor. In the best picture of it there is a reddish hue on the left half of the picture. This hue is flames shooting 20-40 feet in the air obscured by smoke. This was the first time we were that close to a burning cane field. We usually see a tall plume of smoke off in the distance and then know another cane field is about to be harvested.

On Sunday the park had an anniversary party for couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this calendar year. Bill and Jo Brooker fall into that category along with three other couples. Bill and Jo asked me to speak on their behalf. My experience at Senior Haven came into play. It was a nice party.

Monday- Butch's golf day and my catch up day. I did a fair amount of computer maintenance, defrosted the fridge, and sorted clothes for laundry. We did go shopping at Radio Shack when Butch returned and purchased a new pedometer and a microphone for the computer. Marvin Ludwig, square dance caller and friend, has been asking to communicate on MSN Instant messaging by voice. Like on the phone but free! We have it working adequately.

Tuesday-Woke up to 67 degrees and humid. Butch slept in this morning. He doesn't do that often. It did give me a chance to get a few things done. It seems I am always playing catch up!

One of our neighbors, Loni has been living in a motor home that hasn't moved for many years. People who know her say that when she leaves in the Spring she walks out the door without cleaning out the fridge, locking the door, or putting anything in order. I imagine it is quite disgusting in there. Loni has purchased a different place in the park and her daughter is here today to help her move. It isn't going well. Loni is being passive-
aggressively difficult and daughter is losing her patience. Deja vu! It makes for entertainment and a chuckle or two and it is much better observing it than living it!!