Taken in Boone Iowa on 7/9/04 at Jason and Laura's house
Saturday, July 10
Wednesday, July 7
Keep Movin' On
Jefferson Iowa has three funeral homes and one grocery store and I find that interesting and pathetic. It seems the city fathers made a bad decision which led to the loss of the competition. Unfortunate and not likely to be rectified.
Anyway...on to a lighter subject. It has been many years since I have shopped for groceries in the old home town. I kept running across familiar faces and they would look at me and try to figure out how and why they should know me and I would look at them and try to come up with the name. I was successful on a few.
It isn't any wonder that people would not recognize me. I have changed considerably in the last 30 years if you can believe it.
Jefferson Iowa has three funeral homes and one grocery store and I find that interesting and pathetic. It seems the city fathers made a bad decision which led to the loss of the competition. Unfortunate and not likely to be rectified.
Anyway...on to a lighter subject. It has been many years since I have shopped for groceries in the old home town. I kept running across familiar faces and they would look at me and try to figure out how and why they should know me and I would look at them and try to come up with the name. I was successful on a few.
It isn't any wonder that people would not recognize me. I have changed considerably in the last 30 years if you can believe it.
Monday, July 5
Well Glory Be! We have made a decision. We will be staying in a Mobile Home Park on the north end of Jefferson IA for a month or two. The price is right (dirt cheap). We have a full hook-up. It is about 1 1/2 blocks east of the new Fareway store. An easy little ride on paved streets to the Raccoon Valley Bike Trail. I am tellin' ya it meets all my needs and I am pleased as punch.
So if you are in the area drop on by and see us sometime.
Till next time...
Barb
So if you are in the area drop on by and see us sometime.
Till next time...
Barb
Thursday, July 1
Tuesday, June 29
http://helpmebubby.blogspot.com/
Bubby, known offline as Lillian Tashlik, is an 88-year old, American-born great-grandmother who began her career as an award-winning blogger eight months ago at the behest of her granddaughters. Good work, Bubby! (and family).
She dispenses advice to those who ask her. An interesting read.
Bubby, known offline as Lillian Tashlik, is an 88-year old, American-born great-grandmother who began her career as an award-winning blogger eight months ago at the behest of her granddaughters. Good work, Bubby! (and family).
She dispenses advice to those who ask her. An interesting read.
Jefferson Iowa has three funeral homes and one grocery store and I find that interesting and pathetic. It seems the city fathers made a bad decision which led to the loss of the competition. Unfortunate and not likely to be rectified.
Anyway...on to a lighter subject. It has been many years since I have shopped for groceries in the old home town. I kept running across familiar faces and they would look at me and try to figure out how and why they should know me and I would look at them and try to come up with the name. I was successful on a few.
It isn't any wonder that people would not recognize me. I have changed considerably in the last 30 years if you can believe it.
Anyway...on to a lighter subject. It has been many years since I have shopped for groceries in the old home town. I kept running across familiar faces and they would look at me and try to figure out how and why they should know me and I would look at them and try to come up with the name. I was successful on a few.
It isn't any wonder that people would not recognize me. I have changed considerably in the last 30 years if you can believe it.
http://helpmebubby.blogspot.com/
Bubby, known offline as Lillian Tashlik, is an 88-year old, American-born great-grandmother who began her career as an award-winning blogger eight months ago at the behest of her granddaughters. Good work, Bubby! (and family).
She dispenses advice to those who ask her. An interesting read.
Bubby, known offline as Lillian Tashlik, is an 88-year old, American-born great-grandmother who began her career as an award-winning blogger eight months ago at the behest of her granddaughters. Good work, Bubby! (and family).
She dispenses advice to those who ask her. An interesting read.
Sunday, June 20
Thursday, June 17
Wednesday, June 16
Tuesday, June 15
Sunday, June 13
Sunday, June 6
Probably not hard to tell I have most of the work caught up! I went up to Mom's 'old place' to return a garage door opener and check to see if Bob had picked up his pick-up yet...he hasn't. His roses are looking quite spectacular as always so I snitched a few. I may sneak back to town for one of his peaches too if we are near enough at the right time of year. Today Butch is washing on the motorhome...again!
Butch's birthday is Wednesday and the sale is next Saturday. Big week for us.
Butch's birthday is Wednesday and the sale is next Saturday. Big week for us.
We went to Boone yesterday to see the house Jason and Laura purchased. It is a beautiful home and should be very comfortable for them. They do not close on the house until August 15th so moving day is a ways off yet. That gives them time to condense and compile their accumulated 'stuff'. I love their kitchen with its big picture window to the backyard. It is perfect for enjoying a second cup of coffee and watching the birds.
Wednesday, June 2
Tuesday, June 1
This past weekend we went to Lees Summit Missouri to help Gary and Susan move into their new home. It is a beautiful place. One of the things that impressed me was the fact that noise does not transfer from room to room. I will post more pics on the webshots site under Gary's name if you would like to see more. Keep Movin' On
Thursday, May 27
Long time -No blog:-( We have been very busy sorting and sifting getting ready for a double auction. First my mothers estate auction along with our downsizing auction. With hindsight I have rather enjoyed the whole process. It is very much like a treasure hunt and some of the "finds" are downright amazing.
Among my mothers things I ran across letters to and from my grandparents. They affected me in numerous ways. I never knew my grandfather as my mother was only three when he passed away. I now feel I know him at least a little. The letters reflected anxiety, worry, love, hope and views of everyday life in 1926 and they have stayed with me. I have typed them off the pencil written pages and preserved the misspellings and punctuation as much as possible.
I am sharing them with you all.
John Zimmerle, 47 years of age, was in the hospital in Iowa City Iowa where they were determining what was ailing him. John was my grandfather. His youngest daughter, Fern, referred to as Sissie or Sister was my mother. John and Myrtle had seven children, Mae, Ray, Phillip, Vivian, Harold, Jack and Fern. Mae was grown and gone by the time John was hospitalized. John was a barber and worked in Cooper and Herndon Iowa.
Letter written on October 28th,1926 from John Zimmerle to his wife Myrtle.
Well Mom,
I don't know why you don't write. I wrote to you Monday morning. It is hard for me to write. Can't see very good. I haven't had a dose of medicine yet. You write to Mother and all the rest of the folks for me. I can't hardly do it. Did you get my first letter? I lost my money Sunday. Only had 85 cents left. This is two stamps and envelopes I have borrowed. I don't need very much money. I haven't had a smoke since Sunday morning. I haven't been out of bed yet. This is Thursday about 5 o'clock so you can tell how long it takes to get a letter to you. I guess about once a week will be all I will write. Tell Sister and Jackie I said Helow. Well supper is coming. I will close at this time.
from dady
You adr my letters in care of the hospital.
From John Zimmerle to his wife and familyNovember 4th, 1926
Well Mom,
This is Thursday night and I haven't heard a word from you yet. I have done all I can to trace your letters but can't find them. I don't know if you are getting the letters I am writing or not. This is the forth one. I got here OK. Am doing fine but I don't believe they are helping me any yet. I haven't taken a dose of med (medicine) yet. I have had lots of exams and one ex-ray taken. They won't let me get out of bed yet. I haven't had a smoke yet but am getting along chewing tob (tobacco) now. I have written to you so often without getting any word I don't know what to write anymore.
You be shure to write. Start me a letter Monday morning and I will get it Tuesday at the 10:30 delivery. Adress this one to John Zimmerle in care of the University Hospital Iowa City.
From Myrtle Zimmerle to her husband John
Herndon Iowa
November 5th, 1926
Dear Dady,
Will answer your letter. We are all well. I have answered all your letters. I suppose you got the dollar I sent you. Let me know if you didn't. Grandma said she would send you some money before long. I had to send Grandma's check back. She never signed it. Well, I hope they find out pretty soon what is the matter with you. I think when they do they can help you.
Ray hasn't went to shuck corn. I don't think Doc wants him but Hermie Hucheson was after him or Phil so I guess he will go there. Nobody husked much this week as we had quite a snowstorm. They tell me lots of them haven't started to husk corn yet. Ray has been busy most of the time. Samuelson gave him another $7.50 check and he still has $3.30 coming. The boys hauled 2 loads of cobs. I want them to get some more yet.
I got a letter from Mae. She said she was awfully surprised to hear about you and was sorry she got mad at you and to tell you she was going south and would send me her add. She sent that box. It was broke open and I think some of the stuff was gone. You got 2 pairs of lyle (?) socks, the boys 3 pair of socks apiece, the others stockings. Mine and Vivians was white silk. Me and V. a pair of new slippers. Mine was too small. Me 2 new dresses. 3 new suits of underwear for Phil. A new cap-Phil got it. Harold a waist. Sister a dress. A lot of ink tablets to make ink. Quite a bunch of raisins. They were all spilled and 2/3 of them gone. 13 candy bars. 7 lead pencils. I guess thats about all. Well I guess I will ring off so
answer soon
Myrtle
P S Grandma will write you. When she does write her a few lines. Sister says dady went to JoMakeO. The other night she yelled goodnight Dada then shook her head. Jack is always crazy when we get a letter from you. Otherwise he doesn't say much.
From Myrtle Zimmerle to her husband John
Herndon Iowa
November 8th, 1926
Dear Dady,
Will answer your letter. We are all well. This makes four letters I have wrote. I am going to send this by special delivery. If you get this write to me your ward number then I think you will get your mail. It's an awful bad day. I think I got all your letters. I sent you a $1 in one. Well I am in a hurry and will close. If you get this I can write more.
Myrtle
From John's Mother
November 9th, 1926
Dear Son,
Will write a few lines. I haven't been very well. Had to get medicine from the Doc last week but am better. I am working all the time. I do hope you are feeling lots better. How do you like it out there? Fine, I hope. Hope you get good care and of course I suppose you do. Please write to me and let me know how you are. You know I am anxious about you. Got a letter from Myrtle. Folks was well. Not much to write. Don't go much. So will close. Write soon.
From Mother
Will send a dollar and if you want money anytime, just let me know. Goodby
Wednesday morning- The ground is white with snow and still snowing.
From John Zimmerle to his wife and family
November 9th, 1926
Dear Mom and all,
I got your last two letters. The one you wrote last Friday and the one with special delivery on. I was getting worried here over two weeks before I got any word from home. Tell Ray not to fool with Doc any longer. Get him another job if he can. Well, Mom, I didn't get the money you sent. I wish you would send me a little money but send it in a Post Office order then if I don't get it we can get it back. I can't write to Mother or anybody else until I get a little money. This is 5 stamps I have borrowed and a can of tob (tobacco). That makes 25 cents I have to pay the boys.
You write to Mother and Anna and Louden and tell them my address and tell them if they send me any money to send it in a Post Office order for the banks or no place else will cash a check. You had the address OK on this last letter. It came without any trouble. Well, Mom one of the big guns was here just now and he told me they would be able to get me up on my feet again but not to do a big days work. That makes me feel good now. I am going to have all my teeth taken out and my rupture fixed up. I have already had one operation. That sore on my nose was a cansor. They cut that out last Sat. It is healing now and doing fine. I expect I will be here a month yet anyway. Maby longer. I will have lots of experiences to tell you about when I do get home. O yes, my head nurses home is Bagley (IA). Her brother married Dr. Corn's daughter. Her name is Sailor. Well I guess I will close for this time. Tell Sissie and Jack and all the rest dady said helow and kiss them all for me.
by by from dady
P S Send me a little money but be shure and send it by P. O. order.
From John's Mother
November 14th, 1926
Dear Son John,
Received your letter. Was glad to hear from you and that you was a little better. Do hope this finds you very so much better.
I do hope that place on your face don't cause you no more trouble. I got a letter from Myrtle. She said you was going to have an operation for rupture. Is it absolutely necessary for you to have it done?
I am glad you have good care that will help you out alot.
Well John, don't worry about the county not paying your care for that is why I am working to let you have what money you need. I sent Myrtle a check last week and told her when she needed more to let me know I would send it and if you need more than I send let me know. Myrtle said she sent you a dollar. I will try to get down to the Post Office sometime this week and send you a four dollar order. Whenever you get ready to go home, let me know and I will send the money for your carfare. I will send a clipping out of the Deer Creek (ILL.) paper about Mr. McCans death.
We have been having nice weather but it looks like it would storm this evening. I am well. Will close. Write me. Send letter every week as I am anxious to hear from you.
From your Mother
From John Zimmerle to his wife and family. He died three days later.
November 14th, 1926
Dear Mom and all,
I thought I would write you a few lines today. I am not feeling so good today. My lung is stopped up again. Can't hardly get my breath. The Dr. said I didn't need any med (medicine) for it. He put me back to bed for a week. Well I believe that sore on my nose is getting better. Well there is one thing they have done for me anyway. They tested my eyes and I am to get a pair of glasses. They will be done Monday.
I got a letter from Mother the other day. I answered it the same day. Also wrote to Louden (his brother). Say I had a heck of a time getting that order cashed. You sent an express order instead of a P. O. order. Well I don't know if you can make out this big word or not but it has lots of meaning. Mitros stenosis is the big name for my heart. It means hardening of the valves and leakage of the heart. My liver is enlarged and (dropped?) about 2 inches. That they say causes the soreness in my right side and lung.
Also an ulcer on the point of my liver. That is what that soreness is under my breastbone.
So you can see there is not very much wrong with me.
You write to my Mother and the rest of them and tell them what my trouble is. It is awful hard for me to write. The next time you write tell Jackie and Sissie to write dady a letter to. Well kiss all the kids for me. It is hard for me to say when I will be home as they haven't done anything yet. Well I guess I will close
from dad to all
Among my mothers things I ran across letters to and from my grandparents. They affected me in numerous ways. I never knew my grandfather as my mother was only three when he passed away. I now feel I know him at least a little. The letters reflected anxiety, worry, love, hope and views of everyday life in 1926 and they have stayed with me. I have typed them off the pencil written pages and preserved the misspellings and punctuation as much as possible.
I am sharing them with you all.
John Zimmerle, 47 years of age, was in the hospital in Iowa City Iowa where they were determining what was ailing him. John was my grandfather. His youngest daughter, Fern, referred to as Sissie or Sister was my mother. John and Myrtle had seven children, Mae, Ray, Phillip, Vivian, Harold, Jack and Fern. Mae was grown and gone by the time John was hospitalized. John was a barber and worked in Cooper and Herndon Iowa.
Letter written on October 28th,1926 from John Zimmerle to his wife Myrtle.
Well Mom,
I don't know why you don't write. I wrote to you Monday morning. It is hard for me to write. Can't see very good. I haven't had a dose of medicine yet. You write to Mother and all the rest of the folks for me. I can't hardly do it. Did you get my first letter? I lost my money Sunday. Only had 85 cents left. This is two stamps and envelopes I have borrowed. I don't need very much money. I haven't had a smoke since Sunday morning. I haven't been out of bed yet. This is Thursday about 5 o'clock so you can tell how long it takes to get a letter to you. I guess about once a week will be all I will write. Tell Sister and Jackie I said Helow. Well supper is coming. I will close at this time.
from dady
You adr my letters in care of the hospital.
From John Zimmerle to his wife and familyNovember 4th, 1926
Well Mom,
This is Thursday night and I haven't heard a word from you yet. I have done all I can to trace your letters but can't find them. I don't know if you are getting the letters I am writing or not. This is the forth one. I got here OK. Am doing fine but I don't believe they are helping me any yet. I haven't taken a dose of med (medicine) yet. I have had lots of exams and one ex-ray taken. They won't let me get out of bed yet. I haven't had a smoke yet but am getting along chewing tob (tobacco) now. I have written to you so often without getting any word I don't know what to write anymore.
You be shure to write. Start me a letter Monday morning and I will get it Tuesday at the 10:30 delivery. Adress this one to John Zimmerle in care of the University Hospital Iowa City.
From Myrtle Zimmerle to her husband John
Herndon Iowa
November 5th, 1926
Dear Dady,
Will answer your letter. We are all well. I have answered all your letters. I suppose you got the dollar I sent you. Let me know if you didn't. Grandma said she would send you some money before long. I had to send Grandma's check back. She never signed it. Well, I hope they find out pretty soon what is the matter with you. I think when they do they can help you.
Ray hasn't went to shuck corn. I don't think Doc wants him but Hermie Hucheson was after him or Phil so I guess he will go there. Nobody husked much this week as we had quite a snowstorm. They tell me lots of them haven't started to husk corn yet. Ray has been busy most of the time. Samuelson gave him another $7.50 check and he still has $3.30 coming. The boys hauled 2 loads of cobs. I want them to get some more yet.
I got a letter from Mae. She said she was awfully surprised to hear about you and was sorry she got mad at you and to tell you she was going south and would send me her add. She sent that box. It was broke open and I think some of the stuff was gone. You got 2 pairs of lyle (?) socks, the boys 3 pair of socks apiece, the others stockings. Mine and Vivians was white silk. Me and V. a pair of new slippers. Mine was too small. Me 2 new dresses. 3 new suits of underwear for Phil. A new cap-Phil got it. Harold a waist. Sister a dress. A lot of ink tablets to make ink. Quite a bunch of raisins. They were all spilled and 2/3 of them gone. 13 candy bars. 7 lead pencils. I guess thats about all. Well I guess I will ring off so
answer soon
Myrtle
P S Grandma will write you. When she does write her a few lines. Sister says dady went to JoMakeO. The other night she yelled goodnight Dada then shook her head. Jack is always crazy when we get a letter from you. Otherwise he doesn't say much.
From Myrtle Zimmerle to her husband John
Herndon Iowa
November 8th, 1926
Dear Dady,
Will answer your letter. We are all well. This makes four letters I have wrote. I am going to send this by special delivery. If you get this write to me your ward number then I think you will get your mail. It's an awful bad day. I think I got all your letters. I sent you a $1 in one. Well I am in a hurry and will close. If you get this I can write more.
Myrtle
From John's Mother
November 9th, 1926
Dear Son,
Will write a few lines. I haven't been very well. Had to get medicine from the Doc last week but am better. I am working all the time. I do hope you are feeling lots better. How do you like it out there? Fine, I hope. Hope you get good care and of course I suppose you do. Please write to me and let me know how you are. You know I am anxious about you. Got a letter from Myrtle. Folks was well. Not much to write. Don't go much. So will close. Write soon.
From Mother
Will send a dollar and if you want money anytime, just let me know. Goodby
Wednesday morning- The ground is white with snow and still snowing.
From John Zimmerle to his wife and family
November 9th, 1926
Dear Mom and all,
I got your last two letters. The one you wrote last Friday and the one with special delivery on. I was getting worried here over two weeks before I got any word from home. Tell Ray not to fool with Doc any longer. Get him another job if he can. Well, Mom, I didn't get the money you sent. I wish you would send me a little money but send it in a Post Office order then if I don't get it we can get it back. I can't write to Mother or anybody else until I get a little money. This is 5 stamps I have borrowed and a can of tob (tobacco). That makes 25 cents I have to pay the boys.
You write to Mother and Anna and Louden and tell them my address and tell them if they send me any money to send it in a Post Office order for the banks or no place else will cash a check. You had the address OK on this last letter. It came without any trouble. Well, Mom one of the big guns was here just now and he told me they would be able to get me up on my feet again but not to do a big days work. That makes me feel good now. I am going to have all my teeth taken out and my rupture fixed up. I have already had one operation. That sore on my nose was a cansor. They cut that out last Sat. It is healing now and doing fine. I expect I will be here a month yet anyway. Maby longer. I will have lots of experiences to tell you about when I do get home. O yes, my head nurses home is Bagley (IA). Her brother married Dr. Corn's daughter. Her name is Sailor. Well I guess I will close for this time. Tell Sissie and Jack and all the rest dady said helow and kiss them all for me.
by by from dady
P S Send me a little money but be shure and send it by P. O. order.
From John's Mother
November 14th, 1926
Dear Son John,
Received your letter. Was glad to hear from you and that you was a little better. Do hope this finds you very so much better.
I do hope that place on your face don't cause you no more trouble. I got a letter from Myrtle. She said you was going to have an operation for rupture. Is it absolutely necessary for you to have it done?
I am glad you have good care that will help you out alot.
Well John, don't worry about the county not paying your care for that is why I am working to let you have what money you need. I sent Myrtle a check last week and told her when she needed more to let me know I would send it and if you need more than I send let me know. Myrtle said she sent you a dollar. I will try to get down to the Post Office sometime this week and send you a four dollar order. Whenever you get ready to go home, let me know and I will send the money for your carfare. I will send a clipping out of the Deer Creek (ILL.) paper about Mr. McCans death.
We have been having nice weather but it looks like it would storm this evening. I am well. Will close. Write me. Send letter every week as I am anxious to hear from you.
From your Mother
From John Zimmerle to his wife and family. He died three days later.
November 14th, 1926
Dear Mom and all,
I thought I would write you a few lines today. I am not feeling so good today. My lung is stopped up again. Can't hardly get my breath. The Dr. said I didn't need any med (medicine) for it. He put me back to bed for a week. Well I believe that sore on my nose is getting better. Well there is one thing they have done for me anyway. They tested my eyes and I am to get a pair of glasses. They will be done Monday.
I got a letter from Mother the other day. I answered it the same day. Also wrote to Louden (his brother). Say I had a heck of a time getting that order cashed. You sent an express order instead of a P. O. order. Well I don't know if you can make out this big word or not but it has lots of meaning. Mitros stenosis is the big name for my heart. It means hardening of the valves and leakage of the heart. My liver is enlarged and (dropped?) about 2 inches. That they say causes the soreness in my right side and lung.
Also an ulcer on the point of my liver. That is what that soreness is under my breastbone.
So you can see there is not very much wrong with me.
You write to my Mother and the rest of them and tell them what my trouble is. It is awful hard for me to write. The next time you write tell Jackie and Sissie to write dady a letter to. Well kiss all the kids for me. It is hard for me to say when I will be home as they haven't done anything yet. Well I guess I will close
from dad to all
Wednesday, May 12
I haven't blogged in a long time! I have been knee deep in Ma's junk of many years. Some good junk and some just plain trash. I am nearing the end on hers and then I can start on mine. Mine will be easy as I am not a collector of junk.;-)
We are also taking care of our health. Annual checkups and doing necessary tests and such. Everything is looking good. I have been on Atkins for a year and my Cholesterol is super. Doc told me I could sell my numbers they were so good. Exercise and low carb diet must be a winning combination.
I have been like a pit bull with getting the auction stuff ready but it will be a load off my mind when I can get on to more fun stuff.
Auction date is June 12th at 10:00 A M at the community building in Cumberland. Ya'all come!!
We are also taking care of our health. Annual checkups and doing necessary tests and such. Everything is looking good. I have been on Atkins for a year and my Cholesterol is super. Doc told me I could sell my numbers they were so good. Exercise and low carb diet must be a winning combination.
I have been like a pit bull with getting the auction stuff ready but it will be a load off my mind when I can get on to more fun stuff.
Auction date is June 12th at 10:00 A M at the community building in Cumberland. Ya'all come!!
Saturday, March 27
6:09 PM 3/27/2004
We are sitting in the Exxon Truck Stop north of El Campo Texas. We fought the wind all day,
it was a relief to stop. A bit ago I spotted a bird perched on a sign and used a bird book
given to me as a gift (Thanks Shipleys!)to identify it. It was a scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
I think it will be an early night. My butt is tired.
I do have an excellent Internet connection here. We are getting close to Houston so I
figured it might be a good one. I have checked the weather ahead and there is no mention of
winds. I sure like this connection for that reason.
We are sitting in the Exxon Truck Stop north of El Campo Texas. We fought the wind all day,
it was a relief to stop. A bit ago I spotted a bird perched on a sign and used a bird book
given to me as a gift (Thanks Shipleys!)to identify it. It was a scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
I think it will be an early night. My butt is tired.
I do have an excellent Internet connection here. We are getting close to Houston so I
figured it might be a good one. I have checked the weather ahead and there is no mention of
winds. I sure like this connection for that reason.
Friday, March 26
12:03 PM 3/26/2004
This morning I opened the door for Angel and a half grown black cat stopped in the street and turned around. It made a few distress sounds and looked from me to Angel. I could tell it was very leery of me but curious about Angel. It moved cautiously closer and Angel started trilling to it! I haven't seen her do that since she met Buddy. It became obvious in a hurry that they could have become friends. They came together and touched noses. I woke Butch up to witness this phenomena. The cat could have been fast friends with Angel in a heartbeat but we could also tell it was used to being run off by those scary people in motorhomes so it didn't stick around long. Angel has been out looking for her new friend a couple of times today but I haven't seen it. No, we are NOT taking on another cat!
This morning I opened the door for Angel and a half grown black cat stopped in the street and turned around. It made a few distress sounds and looked from me to Angel. I could tell it was very leery of me but curious about Angel. It moved cautiously closer and Angel started trilling to it! I haven't seen her do that since she met Buddy. It became obvious in a hurry that they could have become friends. They came together and touched noses. I woke Butch up to witness this phenomena. The cat could have been fast friends with Angel in a heartbeat but we could also tell it was used to being run off by those scary people in motorhomes so it didn't stick around long. Angel has been out looking for her new friend a couple of times today but I haven't seen it. No, we are NOT taking on another cat!
Friday, March 19
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.
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.
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
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
Friday, March 12
1:52 PM 3/12/2004
Our plans have changed a little and that's the nice part of being retired. After doing a quick scan of weather in other parts of the USA we have decided to stay put for a couple of weeks. Last year the weather wasn't much good in Iowa until late May or early June. Relax we aren't waiting That long to come back. We are still going to Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri before returning to the fair state of Iowa to take care of the chores that await us like auctions, house sales and taxes.
The weather here is delightful and it was a long time coming so we hate to pick up and leave just as it is coming into its full glory. We have however been doing some preparation work such as cleaning up the screen room and putting stuff away that we won't be using. When the day of departure gets here it takes very little time to be ready to roll.
Our plans have changed a little and that's the nice part of being retired. After doing a quick scan of weather in other parts of the USA we have decided to stay put for a couple of weeks. Last year the weather wasn't much good in Iowa until late May or early June. Relax we aren't waiting That long to come back. We are still going to Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri before returning to the fair state of Iowa to take care of the chores that await us like auctions, house sales and taxes.
The weather here is delightful and it was a long time coming so we hate to pick up and leave just as it is coming into its full glory. We have however been doing some preparation work such as cleaning up the screen room and putting stuff away that we won't be using. When the day of departure gets here it takes very little time to be ready to roll.
Wednesday, March 10
Written Tuesday, March 9th, 2004
My birthday turned out to be quite a day! First off I got a virus, more exactly a worm on the computer and spent the better part of the day getting rid of it. Yes, I know how I got it and it is just too embarrassing to admit how it happened. But it is gone now.
Anyway I was in the midst of getting rid of Worm-Bagel J when I heard a rustling sound on the plastic runner we have to protect the carpet. I looked down to see an 8-inch lizard looking back at me. Angel was in the screen room so I hollered at her and she came running, spotted the lizard and took after it. It was too quick thus escaping the cat claws and run for cover under the chair in which I was sitting! So I moved, deciding that Angel needed more room to do her magic. The lizard escaped Angels grasp and sought refuge under the dash. Butch was returning home from the flea market about this time so I suggested he do his "manly" duty and rescue either Angel, me or the lizard or perhaps all three. He failed to see this as HIS duty. Go figger! There was no way to retrieve the lizard at this point so we hoped he would find his own way to freedom. Time passes. I was working around the drivers seat when I glanced over and spotted our new reptilian resident. So we devised a plan involving two ice cream buckets and a broom. I said, " I'll poke him with the broom handle and when he runs your way trap him in the bucket." Butch said, " No, I will poke him and when he runs your way YOU trap him in the bucket." Butch poked him my way first and miracles happen and I trapped him under the bucket. We slid a flat piece of plastic under the upturned bucket enabling us to transport the lizard to his new digs about a block away. He lives to eat bugs another day. So my birthday this year will be known as the day of the lizard...and the worm.
On Sunday we went for a pontoon ride on the Rio Grande with friends Marge and Dave Scott. Pleasant Day-Pleasant ride.
Monday after golf Butch went to see Dr. Penalo about a sore throat. Now taking antibiotics for that condition and feeling much better. I must say he is never a wimp. He is like the energizer bunny, just keeps on going. When I am sick I lay down.
Today we went to the Santa Ana Wildlife refuge and rode their seven-mile bike trail. Very nice ride and we should have ridden it twice but it was getting plenty warm by the time we finished the first seven.
This afternoon we went to Mexico and Butch got a haircut. He got a "butch" and it is very short.
My birthday turned out to be quite a day! First off I got a virus, more exactly a worm on the computer and spent the better part of the day getting rid of it. Yes, I know how I got it and it is just too embarrassing to admit how it happened. But it is gone now.
Anyway I was in the midst of getting rid of Worm-Bagel J when I heard a rustling sound on the plastic runner we have to protect the carpet. I looked down to see an 8-inch lizard looking back at me. Angel was in the screen room so I hollered at her and she came running, spotted the lizard and took after it. It was too quick thus escaping the cat claws and run for cover under the chair in which I was sitting! So I moved, deciding that Angel needed more room to do her magic. The lizard escaped Angels grasp and sought refuge under the dash. Butch was returning home from the flea market about this time so I suggested he do his "manly" duty and rescue either Angel, me or the lizard or perhaps all three. He failed to see this as HIS duty. Go figger! There was no way to retrieve the lizard at this point so we hoped he would find his own way to freedom. Time passes. I was working around the drivers seat when I glanced over and spotted our new reptilian resident. So we devised a plan involving two ice cream buckets and a broom. I said, " I'll poke him with the broom handle and when he runs your way trap him in the bucket." Butch said, " No, I will poke him and when he runs your way YOU trap him in the bucket." Butch poked him my way first and miracles happen and I trapped him under the bucket. We slid a flat piece of plastic under the upturned bucket enabling us to transport the lizard to his new digs about a block away. He lives to eat bugs another day. So my birthday this year will be known as the day of the lizard...and the worm.
On Sunday we went for a pontoon ride on the Rio Grande with friends Marge and Dave Scott. Pleasant Day-Pleasant ride.
Monday after golf Butch went to see Dr. Penalo about a sore throat. Now taking antibiotics for that condition and feeling much better. I must say he is never a wimp. He is like the energizer bunny, just keeps on going. When I am sick I lay down.
Today we went to the Santa Ana Wildlife refuge and rode their seven-mile bike trail. Very nice ride and we should have ridden it twice but it was getting plenty warm by the time we finished the first seven.
This afternoon we went to Mexico and Butch got a haircut. He got a "butch" and it is very short.
Sunday, March 7
Written Saturday, March 6th, 2004
Oh I used to be so good about blogging! It seems I either have plenty of time and must search for a subject or I am so busy doing things and taking pictures with no time for writing. The last two weeks have been the latter.
Last Saturday we went to Padre Island with Butch's sister Marlene and Bernard. We ate at Pirates Landing in Port Isabel. It has become my new favorite place to eat! I had shrimp, sauteed veggies and coleslaw and it was excellent! After our excellent meal we crossed the causeway to Padre Island and went to Market Days (craft show) at the convention center. Lots of neat stuff there. I noticed a booth with RADA knives. Boxed sets of three were selling for $28! The same sets at Don-Wes flea market sell for $7. Needless to say no one was buying.
We stopped at the Summit to say hello and goodbye to Jack and Jan Tallman. They were preparing to return to Iowa.
Then we went to Brownsville and Sam's Club to stock up on a few things. Returned to Harlingen to drop off the Kelley's and then home to Angel.
Monday night we finally went to a square dance. Jerry Story and Bobby Newman were calling together at the Encore Park in Harlingen. Dancing to these two enthuses me once again for square dancing. It was a very good dance. It used to be the hall would be packed for those two but I would say it was about half full. Square dancing in general is down in the valley and the quality of dancer isn't what it once was either. Sad, but true. It is still a boatload of fun.
Wednesday was a big and active day. The Magnolia Park bikers went to Los Ebanos to cross the Rio Grande on the hand-pulled ferry and ride to Diaz Cordaz in Mexico.
See Los Ebanos Website. And for pictures see Webshots.
Butch went with us for this ride and he tried to converse with one of the pullers but it was 'No Engleze'. The bikers helped pull as I am sure many touristas do.
There were some Mexican farm workers weeding cornfields with hoes. They were friendly, stopping long enough to greet us by waving their hoes in the air. The Mexican people may be poor but they do seem to be happy enough to be friendly toward us "gringos". Of course 14 senior citizens on bicycles seems to be a sight that amuses them.
Riding around the streets of Diaz Cordaz I noticed that only about half are paved. Fortunately it is dry most of the time. It is hard to get a perspective on the size but I would say it is larger than its counterpart Los Ebanos, larger than say Cumberland Iowa and perhaps about the size of Griswold Iowa. Everyone was friendly and helpful. There were dogs, lots of dogs everywhere. None of them on leashes but they paid no attention to us. We decided everyone should send their dogs to Mexico for training. It was remarkable.
We stopped at a bakery for treats. The young lady at the counter did quite well without speaking English. Butch kept laying down quarters until she said stop. We paid 75 cents for two pastries and that's not bad by our standards.
And then back across the river on the hand-pulled ferry. Butch and I had traveled over there on our own so we stopped at the Bentsen/Rio Grande State Park to check out their new bike trail. It was too windy to ride in the open so we stayed within the park to be sheltered by the trees. A sign says no bicycle riding on the hiking trails but there was no one around so we chanced getting chewed out...or fined? The trail leads down along the Rio Grande and we spotted inner tubes and beaten down grass where people have come ashore. They tell us the park holds Ocelot, Bobcats, Jaguarundi ad Javelina (wild pigs). We didn't see any but we did smell Javelina (stinks) and there was abundant scat on the trail and we assume it was Javelina scat. In Iowa it is raccoons that leave their scat on the trail. I think they are trying to tell us something.
The remainder of the week was used up with the usual, laundry, walking, biking, golfing and photography.
Today is my birthday. Another year older, wiser and on the right side of the grass. Life is good!
Oh I used to be so good about blogging! It seems I either have plenty of time and must search for a subject or I am so busy doing things and taking pictures with no time for writing. The last two weeks have been the latter.
Last Saturday we went to Padre Island with Butch's sister Marlene and Bernard. We ate at Pirates Landing in Port Isabel. It has become my new favorite place to eat! I had shrimp, sauteed veggies and coleslaw and it was excellent! After our excellent meal we crossed the causeway to Padre Island and went to Market Days (craft show) at the convention center. Lots of neat stuff there. I noticed a booth with RADA knives. Boxed sets of three were selling for $28! The same sets at Don-Wes flea market sell for $7. Needless to say no one was buying.
We stopped at the Summit to say hello and goodbye to Jack and Jan Tallman. They were preparing to return to Iowa.
Then we went to Brownsville and Sam's Club to stock up on a few things. Returned to Harlingen to drop off the Kelley's and then home to Angel.
Monday night we finally went to a square dance. Jerry Story and Bobby Newman were calling together at the Encore Park in Harlingen. Dancing to these two enthuses me once again for square dancing. It was a very good dance. It used to be the hall would be packed for those two but I would say it was about half full. Square dancing in general is down in the valley and the quality of dancer isn't what it once was either. Sad, but true. It is still a boatload of fun.
Wednesday was a big and active day. The Magnolia Park bikers went to Los Ebanos to cross the Rio Grande on the hand-pulled ferry and ride to Diaz Cordaz in Mexico.
See Los Ebanos Website. And for pictures see Webshots.
Butch went with us for this ride and he tried to converse with one of the pullers but it was 'No Engleze'. The bikers helped pull as I am sure many touristas do.
There were some Mexican farm workers weeding cornfields with hoes. They were friendly, stopping long enough to greet us by waving their hoes in the air. The Mexican people may be poor but they do seem to be happy enough to be friendly toward us "gringos". Of course 14 senior citizens on bicycles seems to be a sight that amuses them.
Riding around the streets of Diaz Cordaz I noticed that only about half are paved. Fortunately it is dry most of the time. It is hard to get a perspective on the size but I would say it is larger than its counterpart Los Ebanos, larger than say Cumberland Iowa and perhaps about the size of Griswold Iowa. Everyone was friendly and helpful. There were dogs, lots of dogs everywhere. None of them on leashes but they paid no attention to us. We decided everyone should send their dogs to Mexico for training. It was remarkable.
We stopped at a bakery for treats. The young lady at the counter did quite well without speaking English. Butch kept laying down quarters until she said stop. We paid 75 cents for two pastries and that's not bad by our standards.
And then back across the river on the hand-pulled ferry. Butch and I had traveled over there on our own so we stopped at the Bentsen/Rio Grande State Park to check out their new bike trail. It was too windy to ride in the open so we stayed within the park to be sheltered by the trees. A sign says no bicycle riding on the hiking trails but there was no one around so we chanced getting chewed out...or fined? The trail leads down along the Rio Grande and we spotted inner tubes and beaten down grass where people have come ashore. They tell us the park holds Ocelot, Bobcats, Jaguarundi ad Javelina (wild pigs). We didn't see any but we did smell Javelina (stinks) and there was abundant scat on the trail and we assume it was Javelina scat. In Iowa it is raccoons that leave their scat on the trail. I think they are trying to tell us something.
The remainder of the week was used up with the usual, laundry, walking, biking, golfing and photography.
Today is my birthday. Another year older, wiser and on the right side of the grass. Life is good!
Friday, March 5
Saturday, February 28
Written Friday, February 27th, 2004
Incredibly busy and interesting week! Tuesday we went back to the zoo, this time with Bill and Jo. I was able to take the pictures I had lost before in addition to some new ones. We stopped by the nursery and they were caring for a 6 day old gorilla. See pictures at Webshots. And then this morning on the news they announce that another new one was born. It was a good day at the zoo.
Bike day was wonderful though windy. We rode ten miles and a few of them were a challenge. Some days are like that. Next week the plan is to ride in Mexico. We will cross the border on the hand pulled ferry and ride in the vicinity of Los Elbanos, Mexico. We are taking a sack lunch because no one is sure the little restaurant over there is still in operation. It should be an interesting day.
Yesterday was a very big day. We traveled into Mexico with our excellent guides Marge and Dave Scott. We left the park at 7:00 AM and headed west.
We stopped at Rio Grande City, TX for quick tours of the former Fort Ringgold (now a school), a Catholic Church and grotto, and La Borde House, which is on the National register of historic sites. See Pictures at Webshots.
Next we stopped at Roma, TX. The small town of Roma is working at getting many buildings restored. We stopped at an observation deck overlooking the Rio Grande river valley and the Mexican town of Alleman. We enjoyed a conversation with a border patrolman who happened to be patrolling about a half block from the observation deck. He told us that with their infrared lights they could watch the parade of illegals come across the river where we were because the water is only ankle deep at that location. They had apprehended 580 last week but the work is never ending and pretty much unstoppable. When the people of Mexico make about $200 annually and they can come here and work for minimum wage and make about $200 a week it is very understandable why it happens. He says his relatives in Mexico think he has a ?dirty? job but he looks at it as a secure job that supports his 8 year old daughter. He didn?t hold any animosity for the people trying to cross. It was interesting.
We crossed the border into Mexico at Falcon Lake Dam entering New Guerrera for lunch and a tour of the town. Our lunch was a plate of Mexican food of the authentic variety. It was very good but not a favorite of mine. By that I mean that I enjoyed but I am not itching to go back for more. After lunch we toured the town and an area that was intended to be a high-class resort on the Falcon Lake, Mexican side. It seems there were some irresolvable problems with Mexican officials involving money therefore the builders abandoned it. It was going to be beautiful and you can still see the vision of what was not to be. It sounds a little low class but there were many walls and walkways fashioned from concrete and old car batteries. They are holding up well and look great even with the weeds growing up in them but the dream of the resort has a lingering impact.
New Guerrera was developed for an interesting reason. The Mexican town of Old Geurrera, population 25,000, was in jeopardy because of the Falcon Dam. Thus it was abandoned. Then Mother Nature stepped in with a major hurricane in 1953 and the town of Old Guerrera was submerged for 40 years. Drought and low levels of Falcon Lake has once again revealed the town and that was our destination. Mexican highway 2 takes us to the turnoff where we have 8.4 miles of very rough road, so rough in fact that it takes an hour to traverse it. The road itself is made up of rock, bedrock and ruts and slow is the only way to go.
Once there the ruins are fascinating and my imagination took flight about the people who once lived there. Buildings are still there, some of them intact. The cobbled streets are clearly defined. A city of 25,000 people that has been abandoned brings many questions to mind with little chance for answers. It was an elegant city and that is still very evident.
We returned home at 7:30 PM. It was along and memorable day and I took many pictures. I am working on getting the pictures and their explanations prepared for posting but you will need to check in at Webshots once in a while because it will be an ongoing process.
Incredibly busy and interesting week! Tuesday we went back to the zoo, this time with Bill and Jo. I was able to take the pictures I had lost before in addition to some new ones. We stopped by the nursery and they were caring for a 6 day old gorilla. See pictures at Webshots. And then this morning on the news they announce that another new one was born. It was a good day at the zoo.
Bike day was wonderful though windy. We rode ten miles and a few of them were a challenge. Some days are like that. Next week the plan is to ride in Mexico. We will cross the border on the hand pulled ferry and ride in the vicinity of Los Elbanos, Mexico. We are taking a sack lunch because no one is sure the little restaurant over there is still in operation. It should be an interesting day.
Yesterday was a very big day. We traveled into Mexico with our excellent guides Marge and Dave Scott. We left the park at 7:00 AM and headed west.
We stopped at Rio Grande City, TX for quick tours of the former Fort Ringgold (now a school), a Catholic Church and grotto, and La Borde House, which is on the National register of historic sites. See Pictures at Webshots.
Next we stopped at Roma, TX. The small town of Roma is working at getting many buildings restored. We stopped at an observation deck overlooking the Rio Grande river valley and the Mexican town of Alleman. We enjoyed a conversation with a border patrolman who happened to be patrolling about a half block from the observation deck. He told us that with their infrared lights they could watch the parade of illegals come across the river where we were because the water is only ankle deep at that location. They had apprehended 580 last week but the work is never ending and pretty much unstoppable. When the people of Mexico make about $200 annually and they can come here and work for minimum wage and make about $200 a week it is very understandable why it happens. He says his relatives in Mexico think he has a ?dirty? job but he looks at it as a secure job that supports his 8 year old daughter. He didn?t hold any animosity for the people trying to cross. It was interesting.
We crossed the border into Mexico at Falcon Lake Dam entering New Guerrera for lunch and a tour of the town. Our lunch was a plate of Mexican food of the authentic variety. It was very good but not a favorite of mine. By that I mean that I enjoyed but I am not itching to go back for more. After lunch we toured the town and an area that was intended to be a high-class resort on the Falcon Lake, Mexican side. It seems there were some irresolvable problems with Mexican officials involving money therefore the builders abandoned it. It was going to be beautiful and you can still see the vision of what was not to be. It sounds a little low class but there were many walls and walkways fashioned from concrete and old car batteries. They are holding up well and look great even with the weeds growing up in them but the dream of the resort has a lingering impact.
New Guerrera was developed for an interesting reason. The Mexican town of Old Geurrera, population 25,000, was in jeopardy because of the Falcon Dam. Thus it was abandoned. Then Mother Nature stepped in with a major hurricane in 1953 and the town of Old Guerrera was submerged for 40 years. Drought and low levels of Falcon Lake has once again revealed the town and that was our destination. Mexican highway 2 takes us to the turnoff where we have 8.4 miles of very rough road, so rough in fact that it takes an hour to traverse it. The road itself is made up of rock, bedrock and ruts and slow is the only way to go.
Once there the ruins are fascinating and my imagination took flight about the people who once lived there. Buildings are still there, some of them intact. The cobbled streets are clearly defined. A city of 25,000 people that has been abandoned brings many questions to mind with little chance for answers. It was an elegant city and that is still very evident.
We returned home at 7:30 PM. It was along and memorable day and I took many pictures. I am working on getting the pictures and their explanations prepared for posting but you will need to check in at Webshots once in a while because it will be an ongoing process.
Monday, February 23
Written Monday, February 23, 2004
Saturday was a big day. It started off with the raucous wild parrots landing in and near a tree outside our bedroom window so I grabbed my camera and took as many shots as I could before they took off. This was very early in the morning so it was fortunate that I was dressed. The Rio Grande Valley, Weslaco area in particular is the only place in the country these parrots can be seen. They used to land in the park regularly but it has been quite a while since they had done so.
The oddest part of the parrot incident is that I had a dream that I missed an opportunity to get photos of them because I didn't have my camera with me. I had told Butch about my dream less than a half hour BEFORE their arrival. 'Splain that one!
After that big excitement we went with Dave and Marge Scott to a rededication of Iwo Jima Monument at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen. The statue of the famous monument is the original with a copy of it being in the Arlington Cemetery near Washington D.C. There were several Iwo Jima battle survivors attending the annual ceremony. It was a moving experience.
Following lunch we went to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. We hadn't been there for at least ten years and it is much improved. I took a ton of photos and ran out of room on my memory cards. In my attempt to delete some unwanted shots I erased an entire card of photos losing half my zoo pictures and all the rededication photos. I will be buying a bigger memory card. I must admit it is the first time experiencing three photo events in one day. Oh well...back to the zoo! And the Iwo Jima Monument. At least they aren't going anywhere!
Saturday was a big day. It started off with the raucous wild parrots landing in and near a tree outside our bedroom window so I grabbed my camera and took as many shots as I could before they took off. This was very early in the morning so it was fortunate that I was dressed. The Rio Grande Valley, Weslaco area in particular is the only place in the country these parrots can be seen. They used to land in the park regularly but it has been quite a while since they had done so.
The oddest part of the parrot incident is that I had a dream that I missed an opportunity to get photos of them because I didn't have my camera with me. I had told Butch about my dream less than a half hour BEFORE their arrival. 'Splain that one!
After that big excitement we went with Dave and Marge Scott to a rededication of Iwo Jima Monument at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen. The statue of the famous monument is the original with a copy of it being in the Arlington Cemetery near Washington D.C. There were several Iwo Jima battle survivors attending the annual ceremony. It was a moving experience.
Following lunch we went to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. We hadn't been there for at least ten years and it is much improved. I took a ton of photos and ran out of room on my memory cards. In my attempt to delete some unwanted shots I erased an entire card of photos losing half my zoo pictures and all the rededication photos. I will be buying a bigger memory card. I must admit it is the first time experiencing three photo events in one day. Oh well...back to the zoo! And the Iwo Jima Monument. At least they aren't going anywhere!
Thursday, February 19
Written Thursday, February 19, 2004
Monday afternoon after Butch’s golf day we went to Sam’s Club in Brownsville and I spent my gift money from the great people at Senior Haven on some two-way radios. There has been more than one occasion when they would have been handy to have so now we have them!
Tuesday we went to a luncheon in Weslaco for Greene County Iowa residents and friends. Cass County has a gathering every week but for us it conflicts with biking and golf. Greene County has theirs only once per season. There is so much to do here it becomes a problem trying to decide what to do and what to pass on.
Wednesday the weather was good to go for the bikers. They do go very slow and it gets me to itching to go fast. Maybe when we get back to Iowa I can hit the trails and fly! We do plan to go to Georgia and see Rich and family and I know they have a bike/walking trail right behind their house….Hmmm.
Today the wind is blowing 10-25 mph so no golfing or biking. There is no point in frustrating ourselves by adding wind to either of those pursuits. So…we cleaned house which was long overdue and sorely needed.
I became reacquainted with a free translator website this afternoon. Buenas tardes! ;-) It is bueno way to learn a phrase or two. Check it out.
Written Wednesday February 18th, 2004
Finally summer like weather has returned. We have had two perfect days in a row with 75 degrees and no wind and the forecast looks wonderful.
Last Saturday was a bit on the cool side so we along with the Bill Brookers and the Shipley’s went to Progreso (Mexico) to have some nachos at Garcia’s- at least that was my goal. We had a good time knocking around. When it came time to leave we had to deal with the longest line ever to get back to the good ol’ USA. It didn’t seem to take long though.
Sunday we went to Marlene and Bernard’s place in Harlingen for a feast. Excelente! It was another beautiful day although on the cool side too.
Monday afternoon after Butch’s golf day we went to Sam’s Club in Brownsville and I spent my gift money from the great people at Senior Haven on some two-way radios. There has been more than one occasion when they would have been handy to have so now we have them!
Tuesday we went to a luncheon in Weslaco for Greene County Iowa residents and friends. Cass County has a gathering every week but for us it conflicts with biking and golf. Greene County has theirs only once per season. There is so much to do here it becomes a problem trying to decide what to do and what to pass on.
Wednesday the weather was good to go for the bikers. They do go very slow and it gets me to itching to go fast. Maybe when we get back to Iowa I can hit the trails and fly! We do plan to go to Georgia and see Rich and family and I know they have a bike/walking trail right behind their house….Hmmm.
Today the wind is blowing 10-25 mph so no golfing or biking. There is no point in frustrating ourselves by adding wind to either of those pursuits. So…we cleaned house which was long overdue and sorely needed.
I became reacquainted with a free translator website this afternoon. Buenas tardes! ;-) It is bueno way to learn a phrase or two. Check it out.
Written Wednesday February 18th, 2004
Finally summer like weather has returned. We have had two perfect days in a row with 75 degrees and no wind and the forecast looks wonderful.
Last Saturday was a bit on the cool side so we along with the Bill Brookers and the Shipley’s went to Progreso (Mexico) to have some nachos at Garcia’s- at least that was my goal. We had a good time knocking around. When it came time to leave we had to deal with the longest line ever to get back to the good ol’ USA. It didn’t seem to take long though.
Sunday we went to Marlene and Bernard’s place in Harlingen for a feast. Excelente! It was another beautiful day although on the cool side too.
Tuesday, February 17
Written Saturday February 14th, 2004
What a bummer of a week weather wise. I doubt if my friends in Iowa want to hear it. It has been cold and rainy. Yesterday it didn’t get out of the 40’s and for down here that is cold enough to worry a monkey. We did the typical wintertime activity. We rented a movie. Seabiscuit. It is an excellent movie.
Earlier in the day we did laundry and I helped a guy with his computer. It was my first experience with an IMAC and AOL.
We had planned to go to Padre today but I don’t think it is going to happen. They are promising a better week ahead with highs in the 70’s and lows in the 50’s
What a bummer of a week weather wise. I doubt if my friends in Iowa want to hear it. It has been cold and rainy. Yesterday it didn’t get out of the 40’s and for down here that is cold enough to worry a monkey. We did the typical wintertime activity. We rented a movie. Seabiscuit. It is an excellent movie.
Earlier in the day we did laundry and I helped a guy with his computer. It was my first experience with an IMAC and AOL.
We had planned to go to Padre today but I don’t think it is going to happen. They are promising a better week ahead with highs in the 70’s and lows in the 50’s
Wednesday, February 11
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!!
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!!
Tuesday, February 10
Written Friday, February 6th, 2004
It feels like Saturday to me, probably because Butch isn’t golfing today. Tonight we are a going to see a Mariachi performance in Edinburgh. Since it will be an audio and visual performance a report about it may not match the experience. Much of the experience here isn’t easy to relate. Some of the first things I notice when we arrive in the valley is the different smell and the different bird sounds. There is a sweet smell in the air sometimes. A thought just occurred that it might be from the cane fields when they burn them.
Sometime the smells are not pleasant; over ripe produce at the Farmers Market, overworked sewer systems from all the northerners being here since their plumbing is not very far below the ground surface. On warm humid days in Iowa the smells can be quite intense and I am reminded of that here too but yet it is different.
The sounds are different too. Most prominent are the Grackles, a noisy pest of a bird and the one most often heard. To me they say “why”. They drag it out and it is very high pitched. And then there are the Mockingbirds and they copy everything and everybody, a friendly bird and easily tamed. There are the sounds of golf carts now and then and when the wind is from the north a constant hum from the expressway.
When we are in other parts of the country and I hear Tejano or Mariachi music my thoughts always turn to South Texas and/or Mexico. It used to be when I heard Spanish spoken in the grocery aisles I knew I was in South Texas but that isn’t true anymore. Being in Wal Mart in McAllen Texas or Council Bluffs Iowa sounds the same these days.
What sounds and smells are you experiencing right now?
It feels like Saturday to me, probably because Butch isn’t golfing today. Tonight we are a going to see a Mariachi performance in Edinburgh. Since it will be an audio and visual performance a report about it may not match the experience. Much of the experience here isn’t easy to relate. Some of the first things I notice when we arrive in the valley is the different smell and the different bird sounds. There is a sweet smell in the air sometimes. A thought just occurred that it might be from the cane fields when they burn them.
Sometime the smells are not pleasant; over ripe produce at the Farmers Market, overworked sewer systems from all the northerners being here since their plumbing is not very far below the ground surface. On warm humid days in Iowa the smells can be quite intense and I am reminded of that here too but yet it is different.
The sounds are different too. Most prominent are the Grackles, a noisy pest of a bird and the one most often heard. To me they say “why”. They drag it out and it is very high pitched. And then there are the Mockingbirds and they copy everything and everybody, a friendly bird and easily tamed. There are the sounds of golf carts now and then and when the wind is from the north a constant hum from the expressway.
When we are in other parts of the country and I hear Tejano or Mariachi music my thoughts always turn to South Texas and/or Mexico. It used to be when I heard Spanish spoken in the grocery aisles I knew I was in South Texas but that isn’t true anymore. Being in Wal Mart in McAllen Texas or Council Bluffs Iowa sounds the same these days.
What sounds and smells are you experiencing right now?
Friday, February 6
Written Thursday February 5th, 2004
We enjoyed the King Ranch Tour last Tuesday. As we headed north out of Harlingen we were soon in King Ranch territory. You know you are in King Ranch by the fence posts. They intersperse steel posts with mesquite posts throughout their ranch. They use a heavy gauge fencing but never barbed wire because it injures animals and then they can lose them to infection or it is costly to treat them. On a ranch the size of Rhode Island it could be difficult to even find them. The ranch has been stocked with exotic deer (Niglai) and we spotted one on the ride through the ranch. We also saw Caracara (a Mexican bird), Harris Hawks, Egrets, Cranes, and a Coyote.
One of the things our guide related on the trip was the procedure required by law to burn off a cane field. They burn them off as part of the harvesting process. By burning it off all that is left is the cane that can then be easily gathered but before they can burn they must post a sign in all four corners of the field in both Spanish and English their intent to burn it. And then they must use a loudspeaker and announce it before they set a torch to it. It seems they have burned up a person or two, which accounts for the policy. I understand that it is a spectacular fire when they set it ablaze.
Back to the ranch?
When Richard King had his vision of a cattle ranch 150 years ago he knew he would need help so he went to Mexico and hired some hands. He built them homes on the ranch that remain today and this group of homes is called the colony. The descendants of these cowboys still work the ranch. Lolo is one of these cowboys now retired. See Webshots. Automation has changed the ranch of course whereby it used to take 250 cowboys to run it they now have 45. The King Ranch has been in existence since before Texas was a State and remains in the King family today.
We enjoyed the King Ranch Tour last Tuesday. As we headed north out of Harlingen we were soon in King Ranch territory. You know you are in King Ranch by the fence posts. They intersperse steel posts with mesquite posts throughout their ranch. They use a heavy gauge fencing but never barbed wire because it injures animals and then they can lose them to infection or it is costly to treat them. On a ranch the size of Rhode Island it could be difficult to even find them. The ranch has been stocked with exotic deer (Niglai) and we spotted one on the ride through the ranch. We also saw Caracara (a Mexican bird), Harris Hawks, Egrets, Cranes, and a Coyote.
One of the things our guide related on the trip was the procedure required by law to burn off a cane field. They burn them off as part of the harvesting process. By burning it off all that is left is the cane that can then be easily gathered but before they can burn they must post a sign in all four corners of the field in both Spanish and English their intent to burn it. And then they must use a loudspeaker and announce it before they set a torch to it. It seems they have burned up a person or two, which accounts for the policy. I understand that it is a spectacular fire when they set it ablaze.
Back to the ranch?
When Richard King had his vision of a cattle ranch 150 years ago he knew he would need help so he went to Mexico and hired some hands. He built them homes on the ranch that remain today and this group of homes is called the colony. The descendants of these cowboys still work the ranch. Lolo is one of these cowboys now retired. See Webshots. Automation has changed the ranch of course whereby it used to take 250 cowboys to run it they now have 45. The King Ranch has been in existence since before Texas was a State and remains in the King family today.
Monday, February 2
Written Monday, February 02, 2004
We went to Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park. It was a great photo opportunity with many different species of birds residing there. I was able to capture photos of Chachalacas, Green Jays, Altimira Orioles, Cardinals, Doves, and a Gold Crested Flicker. In addition we saw a Road Runner, Bluebird, and Vermilion flycatcher. A great place for bird watching and they have a bike trail as well
We went to Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park. It was a great photo opportunity with many different species of birds residing there. I was able to capture photos of Chachalacas, Green Jays, Altimira Orioles, Cardinals, Doves, and a Gold Crested Flicker. In addition we saw a Road Runner, Bluebird, and Vermilion flycatcher. A great place for bird watching and they have a bike trail as well
Thursday, January 29
Written Thursday, January 29, 2004
Full day yesterday. We rode 10 miles with the bike group. I tried something new for breakfast-machado and egg taco. Machado is like dried beef but not the dried beef we are familiar with; it is more like dried, shredded roast beef. Very tasty and I would not hesitate to order it again.
Nearly forgot to mention Tuesday. We went to Padre with Shipley’s and the other Brookers and spent the day beachcombing. Looked for sea glass, which is broken bits of glass that has been eroded by wind, sand and water. The edges are smooth and it has a frosted look. Bert found some but the rest of us were left looking. ;-) It was fun to look for it though. We enjoyed a pleasant day at the beach and I slept like a sack of sand that night.
See photos posted on Webshots.
After biking yesterday we went to Mexico. We wandered, shopped and made the annual purchases of medicine, vanilla and alcohol. Two little girls pointed to my camera so I snapped a photo of them. Some utility workers were setting a pole so of course we needed to record them for posterity and the guys up north. Wayne noticed the pole was off plumb after it was set but I am fairly certain plumb was not a priority.
Written 1/27/04(Tues.)
We were feeling sorry for all of you up north as we took our evening walk in short sleeved shirts and shorts. We are always aware of weather in other parts of the country. Those cold fronts do eventually make it down here and then we have daytime temps in the 60’s and nighttime temps in the 40’s.
I played golf with Butch last Sunday. It had been awhile since I last played and I played very well! It was the ShortShot Course and I tied Butch with a 66 on 18 holes. I beat him by 3 strokes on the front 9 and then we reversed that scenario on the back 9. It is always fun when it seems easy but unfortunately it is impossible for me to ‘make’ that happen.
Monday was the golf day for the guys. I haven’t heard scores but last night he said his plans were to go biking with me Wednesday so his frustration level must be high.
My friend Connie and her family have been in Florida this past week. I checked the weather there and it should have been a good week for them. She says the weather is always rainy when they take a vacation and if she had come to South Texas instead of Florida she would have been right!
Full day yesterday. We rode 10 miles with the bike group. I tried something new for breakfast-machado and egg taco. Machado is like dried beef but not the dried beef we are familiar with; it is more like dried, shredded roast beef. Very tasty and I would not hesitate to order it again.
Nearly forgot to mention Tuesday. We went to Padre with Shipley’s and the other Brookers and spent the day beachcombing. Looked for sea glass, which is broken bits of glass that has been eroded by wind, sand and water. The edges are smooth and it has a frosted look. Bert found some but the rest of us were left looking. ;-) It was fun to look for it though. We enjoyed a pleasant day at the beach and I slept like a sack of sand that night.
See photos posted on Webshots.
After biking yesterday we went to Mexico. We wandered, shopped and made the annual purchases of medicine, vanilla and alcohol. Two little girls pointed to my camera so I snapped a photo of them. Some utility workers were setting a pole so of course we needed to record them for posterity and the guys up north. Wayne noticed the pole was off plumb after it was set but I am fairly certain plumb was not a priority.
Written 1/27/04(Tues.)
We were feeling sorry for all of you up north as we took our evening walk in short sleeved shirts and shorts. We are always aware of weather in other parts of the country. Those cold fronts do eventually make it down here and then we have daytime temps in the 60’s and nighttime temps in the 40’s.
I played golf with Butch last Sunday. It had been awhile since I last played and I played very well! It was the ShortShot Course and I tied Butch with a 66 on 18 holes. I beat him by 3 strokes on the front 9 and then we reversed that scenario on the back 9. It is always fun when it seems easy but unfortunately it is impossible for me to ‘make’ that happen.
Monday was the golf day for the guys. I haven’t heard scores but last night he said his plans were to go biking with me Wednesday so his frustration level must be high.
My friend Connie and her family have been in Florida this past week. I checked the weather there and it should have been a good week for them. She says the weather is always rainy when they take a vacation and if she had come to South Texas instead of Florida she would have been right!
Sunday, January 25
Written Sunday, January 25, 2004
This past week has been cool and rainy so we have been doing indoor activities. We have still managed to get 3 miles of walking in every day and I was able to go on the Wednesday bike ride.
We had a dog incident on the bike ride that impressed me. Tuffy is our leader. He chooses the route and takes care of obstacles or problems as they present themselves. On the ride 3 German shepards and one mixed breed dog came charging out of a gate. Tuffy stopped and got off his bike confronted the dogs all the while misting the air with ammonia. Those dogs put on the brakes and backed right off. He also sprayed the ground as we approached places he knew that dogs resided. I liked the route that Tuffy chose because it was more rural. We did get sprinkled on a bit when we were closer to home but it was warm enough to not be a problem.
On Thursday we took Bert and Wayne to Ropa Usada (used clothing). It is fun to watch faces when they see it for the first time. On the way home we stopped at a Jukebox museum. Some were so old that the song selections were handwritten and some were even older than that! Jukeboxes have been around for a very long time.
On Friday we enjoyed the meal and music presented by the McAllen high school music department. They have some very talented kids. There was an English teacher seated at our table and we had some interesting conversation with her. She was a Michigan native married to a Minnesota man but now living in McAllen. She said that one Sunday she and her husband were trimming some lemon and orange trees in their yard. She was picking up branches when she felt like her little finger was on fire. She said the pain was excruciating. She went inside and washed her hands but it didn’t help. Her hand and arm were getting numb all the while hurting like crazy. Frightened and hurting she asked her husband to take her to the emergency room. She was lucky enough to get a doctor who knew what it was right away. She had made contact with a fuzzy worm called an Asp. It is furry and looks like a fuzzy caterpillar or wooly worm we have up north but this one has a tapered tail. It is a little like a porcupine in that when contacted it injects spiny things into your skin with histimine. There is nothing that can be done about the pain and it takes 4 or 5 days to go away. If this happens to you, you should take tape and place it over the site and pull to remove the spiny things. So if we see a fuzzy caterpillar down here I will take care not to touch it.
Yesterday Bill and Jo hosted a gathering. Marlene and Bernard came over from Harlingen. Bert and Wayne were there too along with us. We had a good time and a good meal. Maggie entertained us all royally by chasing her ball around the back of the pickup. She does this in an absolute frenzy.
This past week has been cool and rainy so we have been doing indoor activities. We have still managed to get 3 miles of walking in every day and I was able to go on the Wednesday bike ride.
We had a dog incident on the bike ride that impressed me. Tuffy is our leader. He chooses the route and takes care of obstacles or problems as they present themselves. On the ride 3 German shepards and one mixed breed dog came charging out of a gate. Tuffy stopped and got off his bike confronted the dogs all the while misting the air with ammonia. Those dogs put on the brakes and backed right off. He also sprayed the ground as we approached places he knew that dogs resided. I liked the route that Tuffy chose because it was more rural. We did get sprinkled on a bit when we were closer to home but it was warm enough to not be a problem.
On Thursday we took Bert and Wayne to Ropa Usada (used clothing). It is fun to watch faces when they see it for the first time. On the way home we stopped at a Jukebox museum. Some were so old that the song selections were handwritten and some were even older than that! Jukeboxes have been around for a very long time.
On Friday we enjoyed the meal and music presented by the McAllen high school music department. They have some very talented kids. There was an English teacher seated at our table and we had some interesting conversation with her. She was a Michigan native married to a Minnesota man but now living in McAllen. She said that one Sunday she and her husband were trimming some lemon and orange trees in their yard. She was picking up branches when she felt like her little finger was on fire. She said the pain was excruciating. She went inside and washed her hands but it didn’t help. Her hand and arm were getting numb all the while hurting like crazy. Frightened and hurting she asked her husband to take her to the emergency room. She was lucky enough to get a doctor who knew what it was right away. She had made contact with a fuzzy worm called an Asp. It is furry and looks like a fuzzy caterpillar or wooly worm we have up north but this one has a tapered tail. It is a little like a porcupine in that when contacted it injects spiny things into your skin with histimine. There is nothing that can be done about the pain and it takes 4 or 5 days to go away. If this happens to you, you should take tape and place it over the site and pull to remove the spiny things. So if we see a fuzzy caterpillar down here I will take care not to touch it.
Yesterday Bill and Jo hosted a gathering. Marlene and Bernard came over from Harlingen. Bert and Wayne were there too along with us. We had a good time and a good meal. Maggie entertained us all royally by chasing her ball around the back of the pickup. She does this in an absolute frenzy.
Written Sunday, January 25, 2004
This past week has been cool and rainy so we have been doing indoor activities. We have still managed to get 3 miles of walking in every day and I was able to go on the Wednesday bike ride.
We had a dog incident on the bike ride that impressed me. Tuffy is our leader. He chooses the route and takes care of obstacles or problems as they present themselves. On the ride 3 German shepherds and one mixed breed dog came charging out of a gate. Tuffy stopped and got off his bike confronted the dogs all the while misting the air with ammonia. Those dogs put on the brakes and backed right off. He also sprayed the ground as we approached places he knew that dogs resided. I liked the route that Tuffy chose because it was more rural. We did get sprinkled on a bit when we were closer to home but it was warm enough to not be a problem.
On Thursday we took Bert and Wayne to Ropa Usada (used clothing). It is fun to watch faces when they see it for the first time. On the way home we stopped at a Jukebox museum. Some were so old that the song selections were handwritten and some were even older than that! Jukeboxes have been around for a very long time.
On Friday we enjoyed the meal and music presented by the McAllen high school music department. They have some very talented kids. There was an English teacher seated at our table and we had some interesting conversation with her. She was a Michigan native married to a Minnesota man but now living in McAllen. She said that one Sunday she and her husband were trimming some lemon and orange trees in their yard. She was picking up branches when she felt like her little finger was on fire. She said the pain was excruciating. She went inside and washed her hands but it didn't help. Her hand and arm were getting numb all the while hurting like crazy. Frightened and hurting she asked her husband to take her to the emergency room. She was lucky enough to get a doctor who knew what it was right away. She had made contact with a fuzzy worm called an Asp Caterpillars">Asp. It is furry and looks like a fuzzy caterpillar or wooly worm we have up north but this one has a tapered tail. It is a little like a porcupine in that when contacted it injects spiny things into your skin with histimine. There is nothing that can be done about the pain and it takes 4 or 5 days to go away. If this happens to you, you should take tape and place it over the site and pull to remove the spiny things. So if we see a fuzzy caterpillar down here I will take care not to touch it.
Yesterday Bill and Jo hosted a gathering. Marlene and Bernard came over from Harlingen. Bert and Wayne were there too along with us. We had a good time and a good meal. Maggie entertained us all royally by chasing her ball around the back of the pickup. She does this in an absolute frenzy.
This past week has been cool and rainy so we have been doing indoor activities. We have still managed to get 3 miles of walking in every day and I was able to go on the Wednesday bike ride.
We had a dog incident on the bike ride that impressed me. Tuffy is our leader. He chooses the route and takes care of obstacles or problems as they present themselves. On the ride 3 German shepherds and one mixed breed dog came charging out of a gate. Tuffy stopped and got off his bike confronted the dogs all the while misting the air with ammonia. Those dogs put on the brakes and backed right off. He also sprayed the ground as we approached places he knew that dogs resided. I liked the route that Tuffy chose because it was more rural. We did get sprinkled on a bit when we were closer to home but it was warm enough to not be a problem.
On Thursday we took Bert and Wayne to Ropa Usada (used clothing). It is fun to watch faces when they see it for the first time. On the way home we stopped at a Jukebox museum. Some were so old that the song selections were handwritten and some were even older than that! Jukeboxes have been around for a very long time.
On Friday we enjoyed the meal and music presented by the McAllen high school music department. They have some very talented kids. There was an English teacher seated at our table and we had some interesting conversation with her. She was a Michigan native married to a Minnesota man but now living in McAllen. She said that one Sunday she and her husband were trimming some lemon and orange trees in their yard. She was picking up branches when she felt like her little finger was on fire. She said the pain was excruciating. She went inside and washed her hands but it didn't help. Her hand and arm were getting numb all the while hurting like crazy. Frightened and hurting she asked her husband to take her to the emergency room. She was lucky enough to get a doctor who knew what it was right away. She had made contact with a fuzzy worm called an Asp Caterpillars">Asp. It is furry and looks like a fuzzy caterpillar or wooly worm we have up north but this one has a tapered tail. It is a little like a porcupine in that when contacted it injects spiny things into your skin with histimine. There is nothing that can be done about the pain and it takes 4 or 5 days to go away. If this happens to you, you should take tape and place it over the site and pull to remove the spiny things. So if we see a fuzzy caterpillar down here I will take care not to touch it.
Yesterday Bill and Jo hosted a gathering. Marlene and Bernard came over from Harlingen. Bert and Wayne were there too along with us. We had a good time and a good meal. Maggie entertained us all royally by chasing her ball around the back of the pickup. She does this in an absolute frenzy.
Tuesday, January 20
Written Tuesday, January 20, 2004
We are creatures of habit. It seems that once settled we fall into the same routine, doing the same things over and over. That doesn’t mean there is nothing new to write about but it does mean it might take a bit of thought rambling to come up with something unique.
Recently I have been on tech support with 7 computers. Most of that took place in one day. One of the local ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) changed their access number and that was three of the computers. One lost their folder list- that was an easy one. One had Blaster worm and we got rid of that. One had printer problems and I wasn’t much help there. One is an older computer with Windows 95 that is corrupted. I might try loading Win 98 instead but I am not sure I have a Win 98 CD. That would be new territory for me. I have seen it done but never done it myself.
Some of the things I have used the Internet for lately using good ol’ Google is looking up immigration laws and the number allowed in every year (700,000); Migraine headache triggers and new developments in varicose vein treatments. A wealth of information resides in this little black box!
Friday we have tickets for a Dinner Musical Theater put on by one of the McAllen High School Music Department. Full report later.
The kite days on Padre are coming up soon too.
We are creatures of habit. It seems that once settled we fall into the same routine, doing the same things over and over. That doesn’t mean there is nothing new to write about but it does mean it might take a bit of thought rambling to come up with something unique.
Recently I have been on tech support with 7 computers. Most of that took place in one day. One of the local ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) changed their access number and that was three of the computers. One lost their folder list- that was an easy one. One had Blaster worm and we got rid of that. One had printer problems and I wasn’t much help there. One is an older computer with Windows 95 that is corrupted. I might try loading Win 98 instead but I am not sure I have a Win 98 CD. That would be new territory for me. I have seen it done but never done it myself.
Some of the things I have used the Internet for lately using good ol’ Google is looking up immigration laws and the number allowed in every year (700,000); Migraine headache triggers and new developments in varicose vein treatments. A wealth of information resides in this little black box!
Friday we have tickets for a Dinner Musical Theater put on by one of the McAllen High School Music Department. Full report later.
The kite days on Padre are coming up soon too.
Thursday, January 15
Written Wednesday, January 14, 2004 too.
After the tests we went south with Bill & Jo and since we can’t go very far south without crossing the border that is what we did. It hasn’t changed much from years passed. We do get border-crossing reports on the news and the length of time it is taking. For Progresso it has been no delay. We enjoyed a nacho plate at Garcia’s over the Canada Store (pronounced ka-nah-duh). It is the first time I have eaten in Mexico that I enjoyed the food. I didn’t partake of the peppers though.
It was finally warm enough to go on a bike ride. We biked 8 miles and I could have gone much farther but it was probably smart to hold it down for the first time out. I did put on a few extra miles within the park. There are new pictures at My Webshots.
After the tests we went south with Bill & Jo and since we can’t go very far south without crossing the border that is what we did. It hasn’t changed much from years passed. We do get border-crossing reports on the news and the length of time it is taking. For Progresso it has been no delay. We enjoyed a nacho plate at Garcia’s over the Canada Store (pronounced ka-nah-duh). It is the first time I have eaten in Mexico that I enjoyed the food. I didn’t partake of the peppers though.
It was finally warm enough to go on a bike ride. We biked 8 miles and I could have gone much farther but it was probably smart to hold it down for the first time out. I did put on a few extra miles within the park. There are new pictures at My Webshots.
Wednesday, January 14
Written Monday, January 12th.
The day zips by really fast, especially when Butch is playing golf and not standing over me saying, ”What are we doing now?” ;-)
The day started off bright, sunny and calm. I downloaded a new book from www.audible.com to listen to while I went on a walk. Stopped at Bill & Jo’s and we booked a tour of King Ranch for February 3rd.
I paid a bill using www.mycheckfree.com. It happened to be my Sam’s Club bill but that is how I pay most of them. I also got caught up on email, did the puzzle from www.jigzone.com. I posted one email from Gary about turning blue. I emailed him and advised him to use either salt or vinegar to set the dye in his shirt. I registered about 5 books at www.bookcrossing.com. I put one in the phone booth and one in the laundry room. Book crossings is a catch and release program for books and an excellent way to keep books in circulation and the weight down in the motor home.;-)
In this particular blog you have been told about several websites that I use all the time. You should be able to click on any of the highlighted sites and be taken to that particular website. Enjoy!
The day zips by really fast, especially when Butch is playing golf and not standing over me saying, ”What are we doing now?” ;-)
The day started off bright, sunny and calm. I downloaded a new book from www.audible.com to listen to while I went on a walk. Stopped at Bill & Jo’s and we booked a tour of King Ranch for February 3rd.
I paid a bill using www.mycheckfree.com. It happened to be my Sam’s Club bill but that is how I pay most of them. I also got caught up on email, did the puzzle from www.jigzone.com. I posted one email from Gary about turning blue. I emailed him and advised him to use either salt or vinegar to set the dye in his shirt. I registered about 5 books at www.bookcrossing.com. I put one in the phone booth and one in the laundry room. Book crossings is a catch and release program for books and an excellent way to keep books in circulation and the weight down in the motor home.;-)
In this particular blog you have been told about several websites that I use all the time. You should be able to click on any of the highlighted sites and be taken to that particular website. Enjoy!
Monday, January 12
Our son Gary enters racquetball tournaments and was in one in Lincoln Nebraska recently. Following is an email I received from him about the experience.
" I am not real happy with the tournament people from Lincoln this morning. I wore their blue tournament shirt to bed last night and to the Health Club this morning. I caught sight of myself in the mirror on the way to the shower and saw some blue around my arm pit and wondered if I had gotten an injury that I didn't really feel during the heat of a racquetball battle and had some bruising. When I looked closer I realized it was this new shirt bleeding on me. So when I showered I tried to scrub real well and did notice some blue coming off. However, when I got done and checked my cleaning job my blueness looked brighter than before to me! It really looks stupid like I've been trying out for the blue man group or something. Lucky that my work shirt covers it well."
" I am not real happy with the tournament people from Lincoln this morning. I wore their blue tournament shirt to bed last night and to the Health Club this morning. I caught sight of myself in the mirror on the way to the shower and saw some blue around my arm pit and wondered if I had gotten an injury that I didn't really feel during the heat of a racquetball battle and had some bruising. When I looked closer I realized it was this new shirt bleeding on me. So when I showered I tried to scrub real well and did notice some blue coming off. However, when I got done and checked my cleaning job my blueness looked brighter than before to me! It really looks stupid like I've been trying out for the blue man group or something. Lucky that my work shirt covers it well."
Wednesday, January 7
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
I thought it was cold yesterday but it is 39 today!
They promise it will be in the 70’s by the weekend. We certainly hope so.
We have now been to Ropa Usada. Not sure, but I think that means used clothes. I hope to get pictures posted soon. Many of my bargain hunting friends came to mind as I was rummaging around in this mountain of clothes that cost me a grand total of $1.95. It will cost me more to wash them than it did to buy them. We climbed up on this 8-10 foot tall mountain of clothes, settled in and started looking over the items we happened upon. There are all kinds of treasures to be found. Kitti had the find of the day with a patchwork quilt in perfect condition. Her bill was $3.47. Some of the parks have Ropa Usada fashion shows which I think is an excellent idea. We went to one of these places and there are dozens of them south of McAllen not Mission. I understand that these clothes will get shipped overseas from here. We could tell by labels and things that much of the pile we were working over came from Long Island NY. We have been coming to the Rio Grande Valley for years and didn’t know about this. I do know that my sister Myrla would go nuts over it and probably invest in an entire new wardrobe!
I thought it was cold yesterday but it is 39 today!
They promise it will be in the 70’s by the weekend. We certainly hope so.
We have now been to Ropa Usada. Not sure, but I think that means used clothes. I hope to get pictures posted soon. Many of my bargain hunting friends came to mind as I was rummaging around in this mountain of clothes that cost me a grand total of $1.95. It will cost me more to wash them than it did to buy them. We climbed up on this 8-10 foot tall mountain of clothes, settled in and started looking over the items we happened upon. There are all kinds of treasures to be found. Kitti had the find of the day with a patchwork quilt in perfect condition. Her bill was $3.47. Some of the parks have Ropa Usada fashion shows which I think is an excellent idea. We went to one of these places and there are dozens of them south of McAllen not Mission. I understand that these clothes will get shipped overseas from here. We could tell by labels and things that much of the pile we were working over came from Long Island NY. We have been coming to the Rio Grande Valley for years and didn’t know about this. I do know that my sister Myrla would go nuts over it and probably invest in an entire new wardrobe!
Tuesday, January 6
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
This should make all of you feel really good. We are having a cold spell and it is only 47 degrees! Had to dig out the heavy coats this morning.
We have heard of a place south of Mission that we plan to visit. It is called Europa or Aropa, not sure which. In this place they have bales of clothes. Yes, bales! They open them and you can salvage all you want for a penny a pound. I guess some of the quality stuff is as much as 3 or 4 cents a pound. Now this sounds so weird to me.
I plan to take pictures.
Kitti Toomire told me she gathered up a bunch of tee shirts for rags but after looking them over decided they were too good for rags and gave them to her kids. Her bill was 40 cents. This place I have to see!
Yesterday we went to Brownsville. Had to get to Sam’s Club and load up on meat. Saw 4 border patrol cars on the trip and a guy standing in a cabbage field talking on a cell phone. If you look around you can see the darndest things.
This should make all of you feel really good. We are having a cold spell and it is only 47 degrees! Had to dig out the heavy coats this morning.
We have heard of a place south of Mission that we plan to visit. It is called Europa or Aropa, not sure which. In this place they have bales of clothes. Yes, bales! They open them and you can salvage all you want for a penny a pound. I guess some of the quality stuff is as much as 3 or 4 cents a pound. Now this sounds so weird to me.
I plan to take pictures.
Kitti Toomire told me she gathered up a bunch of tee shirts for rags but after looking them over decided they were too good for rags and gave them to her kids. Her bill was 40 cents. This place I have to see!
Yesterday we went to Brownsville. Had to get to Sam’s Club and load up on meat. Saw 4 border patrol cars on the trip and a guy standing in a cabbage field talking on a cell phone. If you look around you can see the darndest things.
Sunday, January 4
Sunday, January 04, 2004
We went to South Padre with John and Pat. We took a different route, one along the shipping lane but the view was about the same.
They are building so much and so fast on the island it is hard to recognize the place from year to year. We had a great time. I always enjoy being on Padre. You can see the pictures from the day at my picture place. I have moved my album from the last spot to the first. Might make it a bit easier to find. Click here
We went to South Padre with John and Pat. We took a different route, one along the shipping lane but the view was about the same.
They are building so much and so fast on the island it is hard to recognize the place from year to year. We had a great time. I always enjoy being on Padre. You can see the pictures from the day at my picture place. I have moved my album from the last spot to the first. Might make it a bit easier to find. Click here
Friday, January 2
We went to a dance in the park for a couple of hours on New Years eve and then we
came home an listened and watched the fireworks till long past midnight. It was all around us. Fireworks are a big deal down here on New Years. It felt somewhat like being in a war zone!
The park is filling up with Midwesterners. We heard about a fellow who calls this place Wrinkle Ranch. That tickled my funny bone.
I have been on some tech support stuff. I am trying to configure Bill’s Arkansas webmail through Outlook Express and having a fair amount of trouble with it. As yet the issue is not resolved.
Tuesday, December 30
We picked up cat food at H.E.B (grocery store). I had been buying IAM’s because only the best is good for our Angel. Butch was also nearly out of treats for her. I noticed that if we bought Purina Cat Chow we could get her favorite treats free so we decided to take a chance and see if she would eat it. Cats are not usually fond of change but she seemed to have an unusual interest in the bag when we brought it home. When I opened the bag she nearly climbed in it! I think she is living with champagne people and she is a beer cat so to speak. Hey, if she prefers the cheap stuff she can have the cheap stuff.;-)
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
I subscribe to www.powerquotes.net. They send a quote and a question pertaining to it every week day in my email. Recently the quote and question was about downtime.
"Downtime is where we become ourselves, looking into the
middle distance, kicking at the curb, lying on the grass
or sitting on the stoop and staring at the tedious blue of
the summer sky. I don't believe you can write poetry, or
compose music, or become an actor without downtime, and
plenty of it, a hiatus that passes for boredom but is
really the quiet moving of the wheels inside that fuel
creativity."
-- Anna Quindlen, Pulitzer Prize winning writer
Questions to Ponder
Do I get enough downtime?
How can I get more?
How will it benefit me?
I have long known the value of downtime for creative processes to kick in. Early morning, after awakening and before arising is one of the times when ideas, projects, and solutions etc, and the other end of the day is another one. A third time is while walking or biking if I am doing it alone. I also believe we are all talented, creative people but we need to not only listen to our internal dialogue we need the downtime to let our creativity blossom. I also feel if we are deprived of that time that our spirit declines perhaps only minutely but declines all the same.
While on our walk last night I took some pictures of unusual and beautiful sky conditions. It was good walking weather. We needed a jacket but pleasantly comfortable.
I subscribe to www.powerquotes.net. They send a quote and a question pertaining to it every week day in my email. Recently the quote and question was about downtime.
"Downtime is where we become ourselves, looking into the
middle distance, kicking at the curb, lying on the grass
or sitting on the stoop and staring at the tedious blue of
the summer sky. I don't believe you can write poetry, or
compose music, or become an actor without downtime, and
plenty of it, a hiatus that passes for boredom but is
really the quiet moving of the wheels inside that fuel
creativity."
-- Anna Quindlen, Pulitzer Prize winning writer
Questions to Ponder
Do I get enough downtime?
How can I get more?
How will it benefit me?
I have long known the value of downtime for creative processes to kick in. Early morning, after awakening and before arising is one of the times when ideas, projects, and solutions etc, and the other end of the day is another one. A third time is while walking or biking if I am doing it alone. I also believe we are all talented, creative people but we need to not only listen to our internal dialogue we need the downtime to let our creativity blossom. I also feel if we are deprived of that time that our spirit declines perhaps only minutely but declines all the same.
While on our walk last night I took some pictures of unusual and beautiful sky conditions. It was good walking weather. We needed a jacket but pleasantly comfortable.
Sunday, December 28
Written Sunday, December 28, 2003
We have had several summer-like days. Highs in the 80’s, lows in the 60’s sleeping with the windows open.
The pool and spa have been repaired and filled but not being fond of icy plunges I am waiting for Mother Nature to warm it up. There is a heater but it cost money to turn it on so I have doubts that will happen.
Bill, Jo and Maggie arrived Friday afternoon from Arkansas via Houston.
Yesterday Marlene and Bernard came over from Harlingen so we all walked down to the flea market. While there we ran into Rod Christensen from Atlantic, Iowa who we know through our long-time association with the Nishna Hills Golf Club. That was a surprise. After picking up a few items we returned to the park and then decided to eat at Fat Daddys. I took a picture of the guys you can find it at http://community.webshots.com/user/barbie1943We enjoyed catching up on family happenings.
I finished a book yesterday, one of those you live in for awhile and hate to leave. Many years ago I read “The Clan of the Cave Bear” by Jean M. Auel and became a fan. It is a series of books set in prehistoric times. The latest one in the series took her years to finish, “The Shelter of Stone”. Ms. Auel says there will be one more. I certainly hope it doesn’t take her another 4 or 5 years.
So now I have the fun of starting a new one but for me that is like trying on new clothes; it takes me some time to know if it is a comfortable fit.
We have had several summer-like days. Highs in the 80’s, lows in the 60’s sleeping with the windows open.
The pool and spa have been repaired and filled but not being fond of icy plunges I am waiting for Mother Nature to warm it up. There is a heater but it cost money to turn it on so I have doubts that will happen.
Bill, Jo and Maggie arrived Friday afternoon from Arkansas via Houston.
Yesterday Marlene and Bernard came over from Harlingen so we all walked down to the flea market. While there we ran into Rod Christensen from Atlantic, Iowa who we know through our long-time association with the Nishna Hills Golf Club. That was a surprise. After picking up a few items we returned to the park and then decided to eat at Fat Daddys. I took a picture of the guys you can find it at http://community.webshots.com/user/barbie1943We enjoyed catching up on family happenings.
I finished a book yesterday, one of those you live in for awhile and hate to leave. Many years ago I read “The Clan of the Cave Bear” by Jean M. Auel and became a fan. It is a series of books set in prehistoric times. The latest one in the series took her years to finish, “The Shelter of Stone”. Ms. Auel says there will be one more. I certainly hope it doesn’t take her another 4 or 5 years.
So now I have the fun of starting a new one but for me that is like trying on new clothes; it takes me some time to know if it is a comfortable fit.
Thursday, December 25
Written Christmas morning, 2003
Yesterday we went for our morning walk then played 18 holes of golf at the ShortShot Course-walking. I shot a 70, 8 strokes better than last time. :-) Then we walked over to the flea market and checked out every booth. I didn’t have my pedometer on but I should have! I had to get up in the night and take Tylenol Arthritis Formula because my legs were aching so badly.
When I got up I heard the fireworks and/or gunfire. It has become a tradition to shoot guns and fireworks at midnight on holidays. I am not sure if it is all holidays but it is a custom they can stop. A few years ago Tony, the cook, had a bullet come through his roof. So when I heard all the noise I wasn’t comfortable. Next we have New Years to get through without getting shot! I do not really feel I am in that much danger and I am probably in danger of being called an old fogy but I do feel that it is inconsiderate of your neighbors to be noisy late at night.
We went to a gathering in the park last night. Clam Chowder and finger food, a good time with new friends.
The influx will begin tomorrow and continue through January. The spaces around us will begin to fill up with Iowans, Missourians and other Midwesterners and more than a few Canadians. A news item gave me pause for thought. Canadians can be in the U S.
6 months but Mexicans cannot. The unfairness of this law was being pointed out on the local news. I was unaware of the discrepancy. I understand the reasons behind it but the fact remains it is not evenhanded treatment of our neighbors.
Written Wednesday A. M.
We had carolers last night. A tractor pulling a hayrack came through the park streets with 20-30 singers on board. They were all wearing jackets but you could not see their breaths. ;-)
Yesterday we went for our morning walk then played 18 holes of golf at the ShortShot Course-walking. I shot a 70, 8 strokes better than last time. :-) Then we walked over to the flea market and checked out every booth. I didn’t have my pedometer on but I should have! I had to get up in the night and take Tylenol Arthritis Formula because my legs were aching so badly.
When I got up I heard the fireworks and/or gunfire. It has become a tradition to shoot guns and fireworks at midnight on holidays. I am not sure if it is all holidays but it is a custom they can stop. A few years ago Tony, the cook, had a bullet come through his roof. So when I heard all the noise I wasn’t comfortable. Next we have New Years to get through without getting shot! I do not really feel I am in that much danger and I am probably in danger of being called an old fogy but I do feel that it is inconsiderate of your neighbors to be noisy late at night.
We went to a gathering in the park last night. Clam Chowder and finger food, a good time with new friends.
The influx will begin tomorrow and continue through January. The spaces around us will begin to fill up with Iowans, Missourians and other Midwesterners and more than a few Canadians. A news item gave me pause for thought. Canadians can be in the U S.
6 months but Mexicans cannot. The unfairness of this law was being pointed out on the local news. I was unaware of the discrepancy. I understand the reasons behind it but the fact remains it is not evenhanded treatment of our neighbors.
Written Wednesday A. M.
We had carolers last night. A tractor pulling a hayrack came through the park streets with 20-30 singers on board. They were all wearing jackets but you could not see their breaths. ;-)
Tuesday, December 23
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Every Tuesday morning they have coffee in the hall at 9:30 A M. It is where you learn what is going on in the park, a little town meeting, so to speak. I thought we were going this week but Butch wants to square dance to Jerry Story (an Iowa boy and a very good caller) so as yet I cannot say what the plans are for today. Yesterday I spent the day cleaning and attempting to plug up holes in the screen room so Angel could not escape. It became a game with her and she is darn good at it! The problem area is around the steps.
I have tried to create a barrier with 12 packs of pop and cardboard. I need more pop! :-/
Written Sunday, December 21,2003
The awning bows are installed and the difference is amazing. We are due to have substantial winds tomorrow, Butch’s golf day Hee, hee, so we will have a test.
Many people from our home state ask what our plans are for Christmas. I think they feel sorry for us being so far away from all that we are used to doing around the holiday. We signed up for the Christmas dinner in the RV Park. Tony Spagnuolo (age 86) is preparing roast beef and ham. The rest of us sign up to bring side dishes. They also had a sign up sheet for entertainment and there are several names on that list too. The rest of our day will be spent remembering Christmas past and all of our friends and family. :-)
Every Tuesday morning they have coffee in the hall at 9:30 A M. It is where you learn what is going on in the park, a little town meeting, so to speak. I thought we were going this week but Butch wants to square dance to Jerry Story (an Iowa boy and a very good caller) so as yet I cannot say what the plans are for today. Yesterday I spent the day cleaning and attempting to plug up holes in the screen room so Angel could not escape. It became a game with her and she is darn good at it! The problem area is around the steps.
I have tried to create a barrier with 12 packs of pop and cardboard. I need more pop! :-/
Written Sunday, December 21,2003
The awning bows are installed and the difference is amazing. We are due to have substantial winds tomorrow, Butch’s golf day Hee, hee, so we will have a test.
Many people from our home state ask what our plans are for Christmas. I think they feel sorry for us being so far away from all that we are used to doing around the holiday. We signed up for the Christmas dinner in the RV Park. Tony Spagnuolo (age 86) is preparing roast beef and ham. The rest of us sign up to bring side dishes. They also had a sign up sheet for entertainment and there are several names on that list too. The rest of our day will be spent remembering Christmas past and all of our friends and family. :-)
Sunday, December 21
Written on Saturday, December 20, 2003
I woke up this morning empty-headed and trust me that does not happen often. When I started to fill up again I did think of some things I could tell you about but if it seems a little duller than normal blame it on my empty-headedness. :-)
On Thursday night a Christmas parade was held in the park. If we would check the bulletin board now and then we would have known about it. We found out about it when we started on our evening walk. We noticed an unusual amount of people out and about many with lawn chairs but we thought all the commotion was about a mobile home being moved. We were asked if we were in the parade but we thought they were joking and then we sighted a float! The parade was about ten items or floats long and folks had decorated bicycles, motorcycles, and golf carts. Much thought had been put into their decorations. Maybe next year we will be more attentive and get in on the fun of it.
There are a huge flock of parrots that fly over several times a day. There is no way you can miss them; they are the noisiest birds I have ever heard. They have no problem flying and squawking at the same time. They move so quick with their stubby little wings that it is impossible to get a picture of them and so far they have not roosted close enough.
I woke up this morning empty-headed and trust me that does not happen often. When I started to fill up again I did think of some things I could tell you about but if it seems a little duller than normal blame it on my empty-headedness. :-)
On Thursday night a Christmas parade was held in the park. If we would check the bulletin board now and then we would have known about it. We found out about it when we started on our evening walk. We noticed an unusual amount of people out and about many with lawn chairs but we thought all the commotion was about a mobile home being moved. We were asked if we were in the parade but we thought they were joking and then we sighted a float! The parade was about ten items or floats long and folks had decorated bicycles, motorcycles, and golf carts. Much thought had been put into their decorations. Maybe next year we will be more attentive and get in on the fun of it.
There are a huge flock of parrots that fly over several times a day. There is no way you can miss them; they are the noisiest birds I have ever heard. They have no problem flying and squawking at the same time. They move so quick with their stubby little wings that it is impossible to get a picture of them and so far they have not roosted close enough.
Thursday, December 18
Written on Thursday, December 18, 2003
We are aware of the winter weather that has been happening in Iowa. Everyone should be able to get into the Christmas spirit with relative ease. Frank, my hairdresser, told me the locals also have trouble getting into the Christmas spirit unless it gets cool. He said the ideal Christmas weather is cool and misty so even here they have their version of “White Christmas�.
Butch played golf yesterday with Toomire while I purchased groceries and prepared food. When Butch returned we went to the flea market to purchase awning bows. We need them for our battle with the wind. The purpose of the bows is to provide stability for the awning. They are also called awnbrellas and that is an accurate description because they keep the rain from puddling. The flea market was sold out so we hope to get them in the next day or two. It is calm today.
Butch was in need of a haircut so he decided a flea market haircut was good enough. $5.00. The barber’s family was waiting for him to finish his business for the day. The barber’s wife was listening to her daughter, Gisetta 10?, rattle on about her day. Her brother, about 8 was listening and occasionally being amused. After a time, Gisetta began reading her book to her mother. She was speaking in Spanish but the book was in English. I knew because I could see it. I found this intriguing. By the way, I knew Gisetta’s name because there was a picture of her on her father’s mirror with her name neatly printed under it.
We are aware of the winter weather that has been happening in Iowa. Everyone should be able to get into the Christmas spirit with relative ease. Frank, my hairdresser, told me the locals also have trouble getting into the Christmas spirit unless it gets cool. He said the ideal Christmas weather is cool and misty so even here they have their version of “White Christmas�.
Butch played golf yesterday with Toomire while I purchased groceries and prepared food. When Butch returned we went to the flea market to purchase awning bows. We need them for our battle with the wind. The purpose of the bows is to provide stability for the awning. They are also called awnbrellas and that is an accurate description because they keep the rain from puddling. The flea market was sold out so we hope to get them in the next day or two. It is calm today.
Butch was in need of a haircut so he decided a flea market haircut was good enough. $5.00. The barber’s family was waiting for him to finish his business for the day. The barber’s wife was listening to her daughter, Gisetta 10?, rattle on about her day. Her brother, about 8 was listening and occasionally being amused. After a time, Gisetta began reading her book to her mother. She was speaking in Spanish but the book was in English. I knew because I could see it. I found this intriguing. By the way, I knew Gisetta’s name because there was a picture of her on her father’s mirror with her name neatly printed under it.
Tuesday, December 16
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Rattling for bucks. I heard that phrase on TV this morning and listened closer to find out what they were talking about. This fella was saying that he had rattled for bucks since he was a kid. It seems that if you rattle two antlers together, bucks in the area will come to see what the fuss is about. He said the curious buck will not join the fight. He comes in hopes of taking on the winner while he is all worn out or running off with a doe while the fight is in progress. I had never heard of rattling for bucks so I learned something new today.
Monday, December 15, 2003
Went to Harlingen yesterday to see Marlene and Bernard Kelley. Beautiful day! 79 degrees-calm. We had lunch at the Golden Corral. Busy, busy place but the food was delicious. We came back to the Kelley’s place visited and played a few games of partners cribbage.
Butch played golf this morning and I stayed home with a head cold and the wind. I worried all morning about the screen room and was once again reminded that worry wouldn’t keep it in place.
I called for an appointment to get my haircut. I had asked Lucy who cut her hair and she said she liked Frank at Alicia’s House of Style so that is who I called. I will not need another haircut for quite some time. ;-)
Rattling for bucks. I heard that phrase on TV this morning and listened closer to find out what they were talking about. This fella was saying that he had rattled for bucks since he was a kid. It seems that if you rattle two antlers together, bucks in the area will come to see what the fuss is about. He said the curious buck will not join the fight. He comes in hopes of taking on the winner while he is all worn out or running off with a doe while the fight is in progress. I had never heard of rattling for bucks so I learned something new today.
Monday, December 15, 2003
Went to Harlingen yesterday to see Marlene and Bernard Kelley. Beautiful day! 79 degrees-calm. We had lunch at the Golden Corral. Busy, busy place but the food was delicious. We came back to the Kelley’s place visited and played a few games of partners cribbage.
Butch played golf this morning and I stayed home with a head cold and the wind. I worried all morning about the screen room and was once again reminded that worry wouldn’t keep it in place.
I called for an appointment to get my haircut. I had asked Lucy who cut her hair and she said she liked Frank at Alicia’s House of Style so that is who I called. I will not need another haircut for quite some time. ;-)
Sunday, December 14
Sunday, December 14, 2003
We finally made it to a square dance on Friday morning. We danced at Casa de Valle RV Park in Alamo with Wiley Hutchison calling the dance. Don and Jan Brahms have a place there but they are still in Iowa enjoying winter. ;-)
There were two fellows working on a roof to the southwest of us. While they worked, they conversed in Spanish but every now and then they threw in a sentence in English. They were singing while they worked. I didn’t recognize the song. I snapped a picture of one of them and it is on Webshots.
Yesterday was a stay home day to get caught up on bills, mail, phone calls etc. We have 2000 weekend minutes on our cell phone so it makes sense to do our calling then.
Butch is always wanting to go, go, go, leaving little time to deal with the details of ordinary living. We are working on getting a compromise.
We finally made it to a square dance on Friday morning. We danced at Casa de Valle RV Park in Alamo with Wiley Hutchison calling the dance. Don and Jan Brahms have a place there but they are still in Iowa enjoying winter. ;-)
There were two fellows working on a roof to the southwest of us. While they worked, they conversed in Spanish but every now and then they threw in a sentence in English. They were singing while they worked. I didn’t recognize the song. I snapped a picture of one of them and it is on Webshots.
Yesterday was a stay home day to get caught up on bills, mail, phone calls etc. We have 2000 weekend minutes on our cell phone so it makes sense to do our calling then.
Butch is always wanting to go, go, go, leaving little time to deal with the details of ordinary living. We are working on getting a compromise.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, December 6
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Cleaned house yesterday. Washed widows and screens inside and out. It gave us a better outlook! ;-)
We now have the screen room secure enough to let Angel out there and not worry about her escaping. But she chooses not go out there. She prefers the motor home where she can see out the windows.
There was a theft incident in the park on Thursday. They had been leaving the back gate open during the day. We wondered about it when we got here because they sure didn’t in years past. Someone in the park left his or her pickup parked near the back gate. Sandi, the owner of the park, noticed some strange Hispanic fellows inside the park. She told them to leave and they did but a generator was missing from the pickup after they were gone. Thus the back gate is no longer left open.
Butch, who worries about his memory, remembers the code from past years. Now if he would just remember the toilet seat….
Today we are off to the races…the dog races that is with Lucy and Joe. Those of you who know me well also know that I am along for the ride.
The weatherman announced that it would be cold this morning and it is cold. A whopping 50 degrees! Monday they promise more 80 degree temps so we can wait.
We haven’t indulged in the social life of the park much but we plan to soon. Today there is a big garage sale in the main community room. Next Wednesday is the first bike ride and I am ready. They play cribbage every night at 7:00 in the office game room and I plan to mosey down there soon too. They are repairing the pool and Jacuzzi but when it is back and running I plan to use them as well. Butch and I have been getting our walk in every day. At least a mile of it.
Friday 12/5/03
We went golfing yesterday. First time I have golfed in a very long time. It went fairly well. I had a 53 for nine holes on a long course. I suffered no aches or pains for the experience. I could tell it had been awhile since it is more difficult to focus and stay with it for nine holes. I wore a pedometer to see if I really do get any exercise playing golf out of a cart and I do! It registered a whopping 2 miles. That was a pleasant surprise.
Cleaned house yesterday. Washed widows and screens inside and out. It gave us a better outlook! ;-)
We now have the screen room secure enough to let Angel out there and not worry about her escaping. But she chooses not go out there. She prefers the motor home where she can see out the windows.
There was a theft incident in the park on Thursday. They had been leaving the back gate open during the day. We wondered about it when we got here because they sure didn’t in years past. Someone in the park left his or her pickup parked near the back gate. Sandi, the owner of the park, noticed some strange Hispanic fellows inside the park. She told them to leave and they did but a generator was missing from the pickup after they were gone. Thus the back gate is no longer left open.
Butch, who worries about his memory, remembers the code from past years. Now if he would just remember the toilet seat….
Today we are off to the races…the dog races that is with Lucy and Joe. Those of you who know me well also know that I am along for the ride.
The weatherman announced that it would be cold this morning and it is cold. A whopping 50 degrees! Monday they promise more 80 degree temps so we can wait.
We haven’t indulged in the social life of the park much but we plan to soon. Today there is a big garage sale in the main community room. Next Wednesday is the first bike ride and I am ready. They play cribbage every night at 7:00 in the office game room and I plan to mosey down there soon too. They are repairing the pool and Jacuzzi but when it is back and running I plan to use them as well. Butch and I have been getting our walk in every day. At least a mile of it.
Friday 12/5/03
We went golfing yesterday. First time I have golfed in a very long time. It went fairly well. I had a 53 for nine holes on a long course. I suffered no aches or pains for the experience. I could tell it had been awhile since it is more difficult to focus and stay with it for nine holes. I wore a pedometer to see if I really do get any exercise playing golf out of a cart and I do! It registered a whopping 2 miles. That was a pleasant surprise.
Wednesday, December 3
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Yesterday we went to the ‘city’. McAllen. Shopped at Sam’s Club, WalMart and the SAS Shoe Store. The SAS Shoe Store is not a factory outlet so we were checking prices to see if we needed to go to the factory outlet in Brownsville. We do. The shoes Butch wants were $121 and in Brownsville they will be $84.
There is a very good little restaurant about a mile west of us. Vicky’s. They have a good cook and Butch likes to eat there. We walked down to eat yesterday but I couldn’t get him to walk today so we ate at home. I guess two miles is too far for breakfast. That and we encountered a dog on the way. It wasn’t a threatening dog but a dog still the same.
We fastened the screen room on today. Good to have that done.
Yesterday we went to the ‘city’. McAllen. Shopped at Sam’s Club, WalMart and the SAS Shoe Store. The SAS Shoe Store is not a factory outlet so we were checking prices to see if we needed to go to the factory outlet in Brownsville. We do. The shoes Butch wants were $121 and in Brownsville they will be $84.
There is a very good little restaurant about a mile west of us. Vicky’s. They have a good cook and Butch likes to eat there. We walked down to eat yesterday but I couldn’t get him to walk today so we ate at home. I guess two miles is too far for breakfast. That and we encountered a dog on the way. It wasn’t a threatening dog but a dog still the same.
We fastened the screen room on today. Good to have that done.
Monday, December 1
Monday, December 01, 2003
We arrived last night about 5. The Thanksgiving weekend traffic going north was horrendous. At the checkpoint cars were backed up a mile or more. I was so glad we were headed south!
The weather is warm. 70’s daytime, 60’s night. We had the windows open and no furnace running. It is great. Angel has been quite intent on viewing her surroundings.
J. D. and his little dog Tony are conspicuously missing this year. They were our neighbors to the west and their place was a semi-permanent dwelling so it is not a good sign. For now we have empty spaces on three sides of us. Feels a little strange. We have the satellite TV hooked up and running. Internet connection is fine- just fine! Next stops are the Farmers Market and grocery store.
Sunday, November 30th
We enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with George and Jackie, neighbors of Bill and Jo. Everyone along the river is very sociable and kind to strangers. ;-)
Friday was all geared toward Butch’s eye doctor appointment. His eyes are much improved although Dr. McNair suggested he continue the medication for 2-3 weeks and then try the eye drops again to be sure that is indeed the cause of the allergy.
We then did some housekeeping in preparation for our departure.
So tomorrow we are off!
Saturday morning after daybreak we left Heber Springs Arkansas headed for Texas. We aimed for a Flying J truck stop in Texarkana because we needed propane. When we arrived there they didn’t have anyone working authorized to do it. So we will take our chances without. Our route was 59 south to 79 and today we will pick up 77 at Rockdale. There are two main arteries into the Rio Grande Valley from the north, 77 and 281. We have been on both but this time highway 77 is our route of choice.
Last night we stayed at the Tucker Truck Stop south of Palestine Texas. It is always noisy with trucks nearby but we didn’t notice it much. Still no Express Network Internet connection. In the valley we will be near several large cities so I do not anticipate any problem with it then she says hopefully. ;-) I haven’t checked it as we have traveled because it is too much to turn the computer on and off all the time. I may check in Victoria Texas today when we go through. It will be the largest city we go through until we reach the valley.
We arrived last night about 5. The Thanksgiving weekend traffic going north was horrendous. At the checkpoint cars were backed up a mile or more. I was so glad we were headed south!
The weather is warm. 70’s daytime, 60’s night. We had the windows open and no furnace running. It is great. Angel has been quite intent on viewing her surroundings.
J. D. and his little dog Tony are conspicuously missing this year. They were our neighbors to the west and their place was a semi-permanent dwelling so it is not a good sign. For now we have empty spaces on three sides of us. Feels a little strange. We have the satellite TV hooked up and running. Internet connection is fine- just fine! Next stops are the Farmers Market and grocery store.
Sunday, November 30th
We enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with George and Jackie, neighbors of Bill and Jo. Everyone along the river is very sociable and kind to strangers. ;-)
Friday was all geared toward Butch’s eye doctor appointment. His eyes are much improved although Dr. McNair suggested he continue the medication for 2-3 weeks and then try the eye drops again to be sure that is indeed the cause of the allergy.
We then did some housekeeping in preparation for our departure.
So tomorrow we are off!
Saturday morning after daybreak we left Heber Springs Arkansas headed for Texas. We aimed for a Flying J truck stop in Texarkana because we needed propane. When we arrived there they didn’t have anyone working authorized to do it. So we will take our chances without. Our route was 59 south to 79 and today we will pick up 77 at Rockdale. There are two main arteries into the Rio Grande Valley from the north, 77 and 281. We have been on both but this time highway 77 is our route of choice.
Last night we stayed at the Tucker Truck Stop south of Palestine Texas. It is always noisy with trucks nearby but we didn’t notice it much. Still no Express Network Internet connection. In the valley we will be near several large cities so I do not anticipate any problem with it then she says hopefully. ;-) I haven’t checked it as we have traveled because it is too much to turn the computer on and off all the time. I may check in Victoria Texas today when we go through. It will be the largest city we go through until we reach the valley.
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