Friday, March 19

On the news this morning; you can buy bootlegged DVD's of "The
Passion of Christ" in Mexico for $10! Nice of them to advertise, huh? They
said they plan to crack down on it...yeah, right!!!

I never thought to check DVD's down there. Now we gotta go back!!!

Wednesday, March 17

Written Wednesday,3/17/04
Monday was a wet day. Lots of rain,thunder and lightning spread out through the day. No golf for Butch so we went to Mexico with Scotts. Marge and Pam went for pedicures, while I went for Margaritas and nachos at Garcias. Butch and Dave were chauffeurs. We ate supper at another new to us place to eat with a very tasty local flavor. Butch has developed a taste for "Mexican Ketchup" (very hot salsa) but I doubt if I ever do.
Yesterday Butch and I cleaned up the screen room and stored it away. We plan to leave on the 27th and stop short of Houston and then straight through the center of it on I-10 Sunday morning.Sunday morning is a very good time to go through cities. We will continue east on I-10. Butch is contemplating stopping at a casino but we are unsure of the timing. Many casinos have RV parks. Our destination will be son Rich's place in Moultrie Georgia. We are looking forward to spending a few days in their vicinity before going on to Tennessee and seeing Jayne's daughter Kay in Clarksville and spending a few days there before heading to Missouri and son Gary's place. Hopefully the weather will be at an acceptable level by then in the northern tundra. We want S.I.S. weather- sweating in shorts!
This morning was a biking day but there were only seven of us as many have left already. Tuffy, our fearless leader, took a tumble this morning after his foot slipped off the pedal. It was while crossing a normally busy road too but fortunately no one was coming at the time. He skinned up his arm but probably won't know the full extent of his injuries until he has had time to evaluate.
We passed several cornfields and it is about 6 or so inches high. We also passed a field of cabbages that were let go too long and you could sure smell them from a ways off!
With everyone leaving to go home it once again changes and the pace slows. I really like a slower pace but Butch has yet to get used to it. It is all part of his learning process on this retirement business. He may never get it and that's okay too as long as I am not expected to be tour director and entertainer and for the most part he doesn't expect me to.

Tuesday, March 16

Written Sunday 3/14
Yesterday we went to the CAF Air Fiesta 2004 with Dave and Marge Scott and Marge's sister Pam visiting from Des Moines.
It was the first time Butch and I had ever attended an air show. There were many vintage military planes, some of which were used to do re-enactments, albeit on a small scale, of famous battles. They made it clear they were in no way attempting to glorify war. Their purpose was to show those who had never experienced it the confusion, noise, fire and smoke of battle as well as the skills necessary for the pilots to endure it.
They also had a stunt pilot perform along with other demonstrations such as the South Padre Island Kite Club. Everyone put on a good show.
Sunday was a rainy day, but Butch and I did manage to get in our two walks between showers. We had a thunderstorm, it wasn't a ripsnorter but it was the first time we had heard thunder in quite some time.
The weather now reminds me of Iowa in June. The nights are warm as well as the days. Orange blossoms scent the air and the birds announce their intentions to all who will listen.
A few more people leave every day. Each trip around the park notes someone else who has pulled up stakes.
One of the next few days we plan to wash down the screen room, let it dry and pack it away for travel. Even as we prepare to move on I am looking forward to returning next fall. We will be in a different spot next year-still the same park but I spotted a lot with a nice large cement patio so I asked for it for next year and it is reserved for us.

Monday, March 15

From friends in Florida
Just got your message about the lizard, very interesting.
We have a lot of the little "buggers" here in Florida but not as long as 8 inches. I wouldn't want one in my mobile! Our cat, Sammy, would be of no help, or maybe he would if he could chase it. He weighs about 20 lbs. so is a pretty contented cat!! I can't believe how attached we are to him or him to us. Just like a little watch kitty.
Tried to bring up your webshots but didn't have any luck so will try again another time. The accounts of your adventures are very interesting.
I had a hair appointment this morning, so after pancake breakfast here in the park we went to get the hair cut. It was such a beautiful day so decided to head east to Arcadia, an antique town. We looked around and ate lunch and left for the Hermann Ranch at Myakka City. That is the home of the famed Lippizan stallions. Their performance was at 10 a.m. instead of 3 p.m. Missed that so went in the barns and looked at the horses, 18. They leave for tour after Easter and return in October. We have seen them perform in other years, but was sorry we missed them this time. We saw a lot of cattle between Arcadia and Palmetto. I never thought about Florida being cattle country but that is their main industry. We always thought it was fruit. We are in a big strawberry and tomato growing area. There are big packing factories for tomatoes in Palmetto. The strawberries are so good now. Their big strawberry festival was in Plant City a week or so ago.
All for Now
Jean