Tomorrow

 We will be leaving tomorrow morning sometime heading to our humble abode in Jefferson Iowa. Keri has done whatever is needed to get the water hooked up and the refrigerator plugged in. It is so nice to have those things done so we can get on with the task of getting settled in.

We have had a nice visit with our Missouri family. Last night we all ate at the local Mexican restaurant. The food was great and the prices were typically low. After all, it was Taco Tuesday!

Leo played cribbage with both Gary and Butch. He recently turned 11 and he learned how to play cribbage last summer sometime. It had been a long time since he had played but those who know him will not be surprised that he picked it up quickly. His name has gone from Little Leo to Lucky Leo as he counted out some high-quality hands.

Elise works as director behind the scenes in theater productions. Being a stand-in is but one of her many talents. She remembers all of the dialog from all of the parts. This too might seem quite remarkable to some who don't know her but to those who do know she has been doing this most of her life. Even as a toddler she would lip sync with the kid movies she watched. Elise will be turning 14 next month.

It is always fun to watch them grow.

1000+ Behind us

 We left the RGV early on Sunday morning and 500-plus miles later we stayed overnight in Mineral Falls TX. Up again bright and early we had another 500-plus miles to Peculiar MO. Both days were smooth sailing and without incident. We are at the Gary and Susan residence and we will be until Thursday morning. We will then be on our last leg to Jefferson.

If you have the opportunity to enjoy one-on-one time with your grown children and their spouses you will know how much we are enjoying our couple of days here. As I write this I am listening to Butch and Gary playing cribbage and grousing with each other. It is a tradition.

It is also remarkable how different topics of conversation seem to come from nowhere; some about the good old days and some current happenings you do not think to share while on the phone.

So we will soon be back in our summer home doing what we enjoy in the summertime. Till next time...

Desert Rose!

 On my morning walk.

A  photo of a Spectacular Desert Rose.

This bird did not make it.

Almost?

We can almost hear our neighbors breathing, it is that quiet here. We are doing a little each day to get ready for take-off. This morning we went to a restaurant named Biscuits and Gravy. Butch was certain it was his kind of restaurant. He liked it. I am partial to my own, thankyouverymuch. Although it has been getting to the point where I do not have to cook it, it is a very good restaurant.

After breakfast,we went to the pharmacy to pick up some eyedrops for Butch. We were too early so we went to the DonWes flea market to kill some time and time was already dead! Most of the vendors were gone so we stopped at Walmart and looked around a bit.

When we got home Butch had a sudden streak hit him and we made a dent in getting our outdoor chores done.

I briefly wondered why he was in a toot until it dawned on me; this is Masters weekend. Now it is most likely not much will move until Monday. In the past, I have made the mistake of booking our stops going north on this most famous of weekends. I won't do that again!

Till next time...

My friend Sherri!

 I met Sherri on the golf course and we quickly became friends. Our husbands were also friends and a big part of our lives in our Cumberland/Atlantic Iowa years.

Sherri's occupation was offering the very best daycare for working parents. She was and is top-notch. When I shopped in Atlantic I would stop by her place and hold a baby for a while if I was lucky.

Today I saw her Facebook entry and asked if I could share it with you.

 The policeman did an excellent job and let them explore!

Sherri's current crew.

Time creeps...

 Time is creeping up on us. We have 1 1/2 weeks before takeoff. Today is Dermatology day. When you reach a certain age, it seems that you and a dermatologist are going to become well acquainted. And the more time you spent in the sun the more true that will be. Butch's line of work as a lineman and his offtime as a golfer sealed the deal for him. Being fair-skinned, all it took for me was the golfing years.

Tomorrow we will be going to Mexico to see our longtime friend Hector, get a pedicure, lunch at Jessica's, and load up on vanilla! We do enjoy these trips.

As we get closer to departure we will be concentrating on the many steps it takes to  be ready. We have done it enough times now that it isn't scary but you cannot get too comfortable. Make lists and don't lose them!

See you soon our northern friends and family!

Info About Jicama

 Happy Hour can be interesting. Today we were talking about jicama and none of us knew what it looked like above ground knowing that the part we eat is the root of it. This photo is the above-ground look of Jicama.

Jicama growing plants have green lima bean-shaped pods and bear clusters of white flowers 8 to 12 inches (20-31 cm.) in length. Only the tap root is edible; the leaves, stems, pods, and seeds are toxic and should be discarded

Here is how we buy it at the grocery store.

And this can be what it looks like before we eat it.

We are fond of Jicama at our house.

How Long?

 Even though Butch and I no longer have an RV life we still look in on the RV Newsletter. We have enjoyed it for so many years. It has lots of RV info of course but also many other articles of interest.

This one may not interest everyone, in fact, Butch said he didn't want to know. 

The number is not the focus. 

https://www.rvtravel.com/169-years-resolutions-1090/

The writer of the article says she has 16.9 years to live according to a chart. My number is not that high but I will be okay living one day at a time!

There is a list of things all of us "older folks" ought to be fixin' to do.

Iowa police report

 I was reading the police report for our hometown and these 3 entries made me think "Only in Iowa". Living in a small town can be such an adventure!

1.  "Mrs unnamed" of Jefferson reported a loose cow in the 1200 block of South Mulberry Road. The cow’s owner was contacted and removed the animal.

2. An Officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East BLANK Street for a squirrel having bit a person. The Officer caught the squirrel and it will be sent in for rabies testing.

3. Mr. Unanmed of Jefferson reported a person walking in the 300 block of North Elm Street not wearing shoes. The Officer checked the area and found no one in need of assistance

Oddity?

 Trophy Garden and our neighbor park, Winter Ranch are looking like ghost towns. Usually, when Renie and I go for our early morning walk we see plenty of people doing the same...but not now. Easter happened. I know from years of experience that many people use Easter as the compass that heads them north. This was an early Easter this year with it falling on March 31st. So I looked up when it will be next year and it falls on April 20th in 2025. So we will have the company of our peers for a little longer next Spring.

Birders 2019

 The kids will be arriving back home in Missouri today. They had fun in south Texas. Speaking of fun; last night Butch and I watched a Netflix Documentary called 'Birders'. It was about birding in the South Texas/Mexico area. We recognized most of the places they were featuring. It was filmed in 2019 but that was not a factor that took away from the enjoyment.

You can find it by going to this link (https://www.netflix.com/watch/80244682)

We are birders but on a casual basis. We give this a high rating.

PS: The Alamo Inn featured in the Documentary is across the street west from the El Dorado!

USB Wifi Adapter

Even though I have been a follower of Thundercloud for more than 2 decades I sometimes pass over their newsletter. I didn't do that today and I might want to put my hands on this one. Butch's computer is sometimes erratic with the internet. https://www.thundercloud.net/infoave/new/a-usb-wifi-adapter-may-be-a-quick-and-easy-fix-for-your-internet-woes/#google_vignette

Where we are...

 Alamo Texas- See that tiny red dot on the bottom? 

Would you like to know more about it? Check it out here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo,_Texas#Geography Some interesting facts : if we headed in a straight line south we are 9.1 miles from the Rio Grande river, our elevation is 82 feet above sea level, our population has more than doubled since 1990. Current population is 20,958. Enjoy!!

Visitors

 Our Missouri kids are here for a visit. Gary and Susan Brooker, Amanda Teeter and her two children, Elise 14, and Leo 11. We all have been busy. Yesterday we went to South Padre. Butch and I are familiar. We used to go down at least once a season and walk the beach, and eat shrimp at Dirty Al's. Covid changed many things and this is one of them as we had not been there since before covid. Maybe once with Renie and Alex but I do not remember specifically what year that was.

The kids love the beach so that is basically what we did. They have gone back today to do a bit more besides the beach. 

It is all about FEET!

Butch and I dressed for the sun but we forgot to protect our feet so we are struggling with sunburned feet. 

Put your right foot in...

Butch BEFORE the burn!

 

Butch Two Foot

GullOneFoot

Pic of the kids on South Padre: Gary, Elise and Leo.

Waiting for the wave!!

Leo, Elise and Amanda

Leo has a plan...

The Missouri Five

Elise in her happy place...the beach!

Time Flies

 I know it has been a while since posting. Life gets in the way. Living it is far more important than telling about it. One of lifes many lessons. However I do love sharing funny, unusual, interesting, informative happenings. 

Right now I have a pesky head cold and nothing changes your everyday life and brings you up short like a cold. Today is Tuesday and that is trivia night so I am going to have to make a decision about being healthy enough to do it myself or arrange for someone else to do it. It would be easy enough to hand it over. I have all the questions and answers ready and the activity directors have told me they would be glad to help. And I know Renie would help as well.  So....later!

Butch took me to Dirty Al's in McAllen for my birthday. There is no other shrimp in the world as good as Dirty Al's and I am not the first to say that! Linda and Darrel Millard went with us. My birthday was on the 6th and Linda's was on the 8th so it was a natural to share the occasion. That and they are good company! 

While we were at Dirty Al's a woman was helping her elderly mother to the restroom and she was unsure of its location so we pointed it out to her. When she came back she leaned in close to me and said, "I love your hair." I said thanks and then she asked if she could touch it. I said sure. I once had a hairdresser down here tell me my hair was soft as a bunny. My hair does seem to attract attention. Better that than other possible things!

The Missouri kids are coming down the end of this week. The last time they were here Amanda was twelve and now Amanda's daughter Elise is twelve! It will be a funfilled week.

Spring in Iowa 2024

 Jason sent me these photos taken in Boone Iowa on 3/13/2024! 

Daffodils

                                                    Rhubarb!!

                                                     Tulips!! Pella's big celebration will be in jeopardy.

Rhubarb!

 Rhubarb doesn't grow in the South. But it will be starting to peek its leafy head before long in the midwest. I have had a Rhubarb Pudding recipe for most of my life that was a must-make every Spring.

Here is the recipe from an earlier post;This is an old-time, all-time family favorite and one the whole family asks for every Spring. You cannot even imagine my relief in finding it. Like finding a long-lost friend. Thank you, Sherri Clark for sending me on the last of many searches for this recipe.

 Rhubarb Pudding

3 C. Rhubarb, Coarsely Chopped

1 C. Sugar

1/4 t Cinnamon

Dabs Of Butter

1 Egg

1 C. Flour

1/2 C. Milk

1 t Baking Powder

1 C. Sugar

[Note: Via Shirley Franey and Marian Feld. A very old family

favorite. ]

Place first 4 ingredients in a 8" x 8" pan. Mix together remaining

ingredients and pour evenly over rhubarb mix. Bake 45 min. at 350 deg.

 

And now!!!!! Here is the recipe for an upscale one I found today. It is similar to my old standby. I am anxious to try it. Butch will like it, that's for sure.

Magic Rhubarb Pudding Cake

Yield: 9 servings. Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

2 cups of rhubarb, chopped

1/2 cup white sugar, 1 cup white sugar (for topping)

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons butter, softened

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup sifted flour

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2/3 cup boiling water

Directions

Cover the bottom of an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan with fruit.Mix 1/2 white sugar, brown sugar, butter, baking powder, salt, extracts, milk and flour together. Add a little more milk if it is too thick to pour; pour over fruit.

Instructions

Grease or spray an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish

Put the chopped rhubarb evenly in the baking dish.

Mix 1/2 cup of white sugar, brown sugar, butter, baking powder, vanilla, almond extract, milk, and flour. If batter seems too thick to pour over the fruit, thin it with a little more milk.

Pour the batter over the rhubarb. Make sure the batter reaches clear to the edges of the pan.

Mix the remaining 1 cup of sugar with the cornstarch. Stir well, so it's thoroughly combined.

Sprinkle the sugar/cornstarch mixture evenly over the batter.

Gently pour the boiling water over the sugar mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes. The top will be crinkled and crackled.

Have You Ever Thought About This?

In 100 years like in 2124 we will all be buried with our relatives and friends.

Strangers will live in our homes we fought so hard to build, and they will own everything we have today. All our possessions will be unknown and unborn, including the car we spent a fortune on, and will probably be scrap, preferably in the hands of an unknown collector.

Our descendants will hardly know who we were, nor will they remember us. How many of us know our grandfather's father?

After we die, we will be remembered for a few more years, then we are just a portrait on someone's bookshelf, and a few years later our history, photos, and deeds disappear into history's oblivion. We won't even be memories.

If we pause one day to analyze these questions, we may understand how ignorant and weak the dream to achieve it all was.

If we could only think about this, our approaches, and our thoughts would change, and we would be different people.

Always having more, no time for what's really valuable in this life. I'd change all this to live and enjoy the walks I've never taken, these hugs I didn't give, these kisses for our children and our loved ones, these jokes we didn't have time for. Those would certainly be the most beautiful moments to remember, after all, they would fill our lives with joy.

Some of us waste it daily with greed, selfishness, and intolerance.

Every minute of life is priceless and will never be repeated, so take time to enjoy, be grateful for, and celebrate your existence.❤️

Salisbury Steak?

 There was a happy hour conversation about Salisbury Steak so I started perusing the Internet and came across this recipe. Sounds like a good one!

https://bellyfull.net/salisbury-steak-recipe/

2024 In-Park Olympics(Men)

 The winners of the Men's in-park Olympics for men are; First place winning gold Ron Beeksma, Second place winning silver Butch Brooker and Third place winning bronze Greg Dowhaniuk.

March 2024

By the Ides of March, the population of the park will be diminished. It is just the way of things and after all the years we have watched it happen we know how it goes, and it is okay.

I looked at the calendar and noticed it was Bill Stilson's birthday. Bill is gone now. He and his wife Kay were close friends of ours when we were in Magnolia. Kay is back in Iowa and we miss them both very much. I know she keeps track of us through the blog and we check in on each other once in a while...So Hi! Kay. Thinking of you today.

This is going to be one of those days where I will write randomly about whatever pops into my mind. The daily happy hour: Some people have a misconception about Bill and Sandi's happy hour. Everyone is welcome. It takes place from 4:00 to 5:00pm daily. Bring your own drink. No politics or gossip. It has been my experience that the knowledge obtained is priceless. You will find answers to nearly every question you may have. Some days are a history lesson of the park, while others are local places to find the best food. Somedays we just laugh...and laugh from the funny stories of our youth. I really enjoy happy hour.

Looking through old files in my laptop. Lable on the file was Articles of Interest. Here is a sample. Number 17 puzzled me a bit.

For boys and men.

Today’s thought

“And that’s the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.” ―Khaled Hosseini

I took my super-duper camera with me this morning and photographed the moon in the western sky.

Also taken this morning...

Looks almost real!

Oranges are real! and this was taken this week (2/23/2024)

Mars? YES, MARS.

 I came upon this photo of Mars. It is a NASA photo taken by Mariner 9 easily found on the Internet. It is the clearest photo ever taken of Mars. This was on Facebook. Being an amateur photographer, it caught my eye. I have a Nikon P900 camera and I have taken many close up pictures of the moon.

Below are photos I have taken of the moon with my Nikon P900...Read on...It is worth a click for the moon pic. At least I think so!

https://blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3952739/7349726570977869514

I took those pictures myself with my own camera. What is your point, you might say.  I started reading the comments under the Facebook photos of Mars and was shocked to see the number of posts claiming those photos were fake! Now I know you can't fix stupid but this got under my skin and I contemplated posting facts myself on Facebook trying to educate the uneducated but an old saying comes to mind.  "You do not have to show up to every fight you are invited to."  However, I do own a blog and I can post as much truth as I want. Thanks for your patience. Barb Brooker

More Craft Expo Photos

 The talent and dedication to craft in Trophy Garden is remarkable. Enjoying the warm clime and sunlight is far from being all we do here.

The little tea set in the top photo is a zoom-in of the Tea set below.

Gary Gibson, Instructor

All that art and Walking Tacos too!!

The two pieces below are the unfinished work of Linda Paige and Diane Ringen who took up Swedish Weaving exactly one week earlier. Lessons are being given every Thursday evening at 7:00 by Marg Sturm. One of my afghans is partially visible on the far left.

Quilting is not only big in Trophy Gardens; It is HUGE!

The woodworking is also huge and the quality of the work will blow your mind!

Stained Glass also has some dedicated artists. I might add that the instructors are always ready to teach new people. Everyone has been a beginner themselves.

And then...

Trophy Women's Tournament

The tournament started last Tuesday. There were only six women players. I was a bundle of nerves and lost my first match. A match is  2 out of 3 games. I had to sit for a long time for my next match and I had settled down by then and won that one. We had an issue with slow play, so they decided to continue the tournament to next Tuesday. The slow play issue will be discussed. Hopefully, it will not be an obstacle next time. There is a Billiards book rule to define it. Bottom line; I am still in the mix.

and then the second half of the Trophy Men's singles took place on Wednesday and Butch didn't get in the top of that one.

Wednesday night we went to a square dance, the second one we have attended. We have continued to go to lessons but have passed on the dances with only one exception.  It felt like old times! I am not in much of a hurry to add one more activity but it seems it has happened. The plus side is that it increases the physical and mental capacities at the same time and that is a huge bonus! They will be starting beginner lessons next January in Alamo Palms. Hopefully, we can get some new people enthused from Trophy Gardens to go with us. My next thing will be to retain the physical and mental capacities I have gained when I return to Iowa.

Today the feature in the park is a craft expo. 

These are random pictures I took during the Craft Expo.

This is the last Swedish Weaving project I did.

Bill Danielson's Stained glass projects.

Sandi Danielson, instructor of Diamond Art. Monday night at 7:00 in the craft room.

Renie Stinson's quilt project.

Diamond Art

Betsie Brown's incredible and diverse talent!

The amount and quality of talent in Trophy Garden is mindboggling!!