Trivia
Ever driven down the part of Route 66 that plays “America the Beautiful?” On a section of the old highway between Albuquerque and Tijeras, the New Mexico DOT installed grooves on the road. If you drive over them at exactly 45 mph, your car will vibrate to the tune of “America the Beautiful.” Check it out in this video here.
Thursday we went for a walk. May not sound like much but last Spring Butch could not do that so it is a milestone of sorts. It is one mile from the front fence to the back fence if memory serves me correctly and we walked it from end to end. As I think about it it may be a half-mile but regardless it is a far piece as the old folks say. And we both did it without any impairment.
We are still keeping our distance and wearing a mask. Butch had an appointment with his surgeon. I made the appointment for him and they said we could get in the same day! That was a big surprise. So this too was a completely different experience. Last Spring hardly anyone wore masks even at the doctor's office. It was a sore point and with our masks on, we would frequently get "the look" and the eye roll. What a turn around. Everyone is wearing a mask and I mean EVERYONE. So yes, it can be done and it is working. It was all good news at the doctor's office. His x-rays show lots of new bone growth and he has returned to 99% of his former ability and if you consider his age he probably exceeds what he is expected to be able to do by a longshot. Russ may not realize it but I think he played a big part in Butch's summertime 'therapy'. It is a blessing!
After the doctor's visit, we went on a fact-finding mission. You know, looking for products in a new area. We had trouble finding Butch's favorite salad dressing at HEB but we found it at Walmart. And I wanted to find ham hocks so we looked at Juniors, the local store for all things to please the majority population if you get my drift. And they had pork hocks. Not quite the same but close. They might work. The meat department at Junior's deserves a look. If you take your old-time butcher shop and increase the size more than triple that is Juniors. Our friends Dale Cooklin and Bill Stilson, both gone now, used to make weekly trips to Juniors for all the bargains on meat and bring large amounts back to their wives who reprimanded them every time to no avail. Memories...
Here are photos of our new location. We are liking it even though we miss our old neighbors.
We are in Hidalgo County Texas with an area of 1,583 Square miles. Our current covid rate is 7.8% Population in 2019 868,707
We came from Greene County Iowa with a square mile area of 571 and a Covid rate of 23.3 %
Population in 2018 8,981
Looks like your chances of getting Covid in Greene County Iowa are pretty good!
We can see clearly and daily what the difference is as masks and social distancing are required here.
This year is different as if that is news! The only thing familiar was the route down. In a normal year, we would have taken two or three weeks to get here, stopping to see family and friends along the way and we certainly hope we can return to that by next fall. We missed the leisurely meander of seasons past.
There is that and then the rush to get packed up before we left. We forgot a lot of things! We hope to return to living in our MoHo for at least a week before take-off.
So we are somewhat self-isolating by staying home more and masking up and six feet apart when we don't stay home or people come to visit and we stay outdoors. Actually, that is the usual behavior. Visiting with people as they come by on foot or in their golf cart is the norm and inviting them inside is unusual.
Butch has been going to the pool hall. He and his partner Paul, both mask up and are the only ones there so far. They have a limit of ten people in the pool hall at one time and that hasn't happened yet.
Butch decided to wash the motorhome yesterday and that endeavor always starts at the top. So yes, he was on the roof. I think you can tell that he is very much back to full activities including riding his bicycle. He wants to finish the wash job today as he has the north side and rear yet to do. The roof is done, Thank God!
The weather is summer-like, with daytime highs in the high 80's and lows in the high 60's. We are okay with that for now.
Betsie has been doing a newsletter for the park for a good many years. She inherited the job and works very hard. It takes a good deal of effort to put it all together, I know. Especially when it is to the extent that Betsie does it, adding in Birthdays and Anniversaries and taking snippets of news from those who send them to her of past and present members of the park, and ads for things to buy and sell, etc.
I do not plan to add all of Betsies posts to my blog but thought you might find this one of interest.
Bits & Pieces Tuesday 11-10-2020
We will have Hoss Collar again this week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings at 6:30. Bring a dollar and wear a face mask and use safe distancing. The shuffle stick and benches will be sanitized and hand sanitizer will be provided as well. Hope to see you all there! If you have questions, call Bob and Janet Yeley at 317-440-4663.
Church has started on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in the hall. Wear a mask and sit where the chairs are set up. There will be sheet music to use to sing. They ask you to sign in when you come and there is a donation basket when you leave. Please leave single file.
From the park meeting today: Lynn reported that there are 207 people, on 119 lots and 43 pets. The numbers are growing. The protocol has to be followed. It is the Governor, state reps, Judges, and Mayors that set the protocol. Don't come to Lynn or Stephanie with your complaint. They are following what is set.!! The socks were shown off. JD has on Peanut Butter (Jif) one sock and Jelly on the other sock. Jason has toast on one sock and eggs on the other one. A balanced breakfast in socks!! Looked like a beautiful day in Alamo at the meeting.....
Maybe you have a friend that wants to try a park model in Texas!! Park Model for Rent. Better Than New! Available November thru April. Call Betsy at 309-344-1583 or Merv at 956-246-2876 (First posted on Friday 9-25-2020)
Stay safe and Stay Healthy!!
Betsie Brown
P.S. from Barb: Hoss Collar is a modified shuffleboard game that is easier than the official one. It is very popular in Trophy and Butch and I had never heard of it before coming here.
This year it continues to be different. We usually arrive and those that have come before us have been doing all the fun stuff and are ready for us to join them. Therefore we had to get our settling in done in bits and pieces. That is still somewhat true but now it is us, getting slower and perhaps lazier.
This is for Kay Stilson: I was tired last night so Butch went to Churches to get chicken for supper. It was delicious and once again I thought of you. I have hamburger thawing for supper tonight.
As I age it seems to take me far longer to do anything!
Photos taken on the southbound trip:
Taken at Downstream Casino.
We are getting settled in and it feels good. Have seen our closest friends briefly, from a distance and masked. We went to the HEB in Alamo for a few choice items I have missed, mainly Topo Chico. I have it cooling now and will add some fresh lime juice and say, Aaaah!.
Butch was afraid of a repeat of the sewer debacle but it flushed without an issue and we breathed a sigh of relief.
We cannot check in till Monday because the office is closed. Not enough people here yet to warrant staying open on the weekends. A bit of a surprise! Our manager Lynn said several of the apartments are available for rent in January (5) and February (3). Call the Business office if interested. 956-787-7717.
Friends and family take note!!
More later. Butch needs an extra hand.
The manager of Trophy Gardens said several of the apartments are available for rent in January (5) and February (3). Call the Business office if interested. 956-787-7717
I will find out the rates and post it. This has not happened before in our experience.-Barb B.
