Rare sight

 How often have you seen a squirrel in a palm tree? Me either!

Gary sent a collage again this year. It is fun to linger over it, remembering the pictures.

Elise the actress

Elise is playing a munchkin in the Harrisonville MO High school play. She never disappoints!

New Roof on Motorhome

Len started on the roof on Tuesday and finished today (Friday) and the days he put in were long and arduous. This is the final result and is guaranteed to last the lifetime of the motorhome, transferring to subsequent owners. We are happy with our new top!

Printable papers

I ran across this neat website and thought it might be useful to some of you.

Free Printable Paper

1,597 papers you can download and print for free. We've got graph paper, lined paper, financial paper, music paper, and more.

http://www.printablepaper.net/

The Teeter kids

Elise

Leo

New RV Roof

Today we started getting a new roof application. This was day 1 of 3 as I understand it. Len, the roof worker worked all day without a break finishing for the day at 5:30PM. http://rv-armor.com/.

After coffee hour this morning Len was busily working on the roof and I needed to use the bathroom. I looked up and I could see sky and thought this is not going to work. So I went over to Donn and Peg's and told them my predicament. I used their facilities, but Donn said perhaps I could solve my problem if I used an umbrella. By golly, that could work!!

 I was Kay's assistant for the Jam tickets today so I took my camera and this is my favorite shot of the day. This is today's kitchen crew for the Jam lunch. From left: Dorral, Peggy, Larry, and Geneva. They make a great team, enjoy working together and it shows.

Our Miss Elise the author

From her Nana Susan:
Our sweet girl got to read her book that she wrote and illustrated to the members of our local Kiwanis today at noon.  She also enjoyed lunch with dessert first - or so I was told!  LOL!  My boss was there, and he also has a video of her reading it!  Very cool!!

And then I thought...

I have had a few thoughts on the carbon monoxide issue of the last post. The lady affected has a tiny dog. Why didn't the dog die? Hmmm.... Maybe that whole issue needs to be looked at again.

Sometimes a second thought takes a while to happen. I think that is called being slow on the uptake.

I am doing my best to get other authors added to the other blog. And I have been having some success. This one will always have me as the author because I doubt I could ever get Butch to add to it.
The other one, www.magnolianews.blogspot.com has several people who could post to it but only a couple who do. If you have doubt that I wrote it look at the bottom of the post and it will say who posted it.

Life is just ambling along in a smooth and easy manner while being busy at the same time. The weeks fly by so quickly it is almost frightening if I stop long enough to think about it. The upside to it is that both Butch and I are doing what we want to do when we want to do it so how could things ever be better than that!

Beautiful

Our weather has been perfect with one beautiful day sliding right into the next. Time flies when you are having fun!
There was an association meeting this morning. I had not planned to go, but I was glad I did. It was one of the more interesting ones I have attended for some time.
In a nutshell, people with water meters have been overpaying for their water for years. One of the residents has taken it to the Texas Utilities Commission and verified the fact and it is going to be pursued.

Another interesting tidbit is that the association is looking into their bingo machine and plan to investigate getting one that works. Long overdue.

And a resident suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning after the gas was shut off and the residents were not notified, or at least that is strongly suspected to be the reason for the illness that put her in the hospital for several days.

Kay, Peggy and I were on the lunch committee for crafts today so that took care of the remainder of my day. Pretty much anyway.

Tomorrow will be just as busy as we are getting a new roof coating on the RV and I have promised Kay I would be her assistant for selling tickets at the Jam. After that things may slow a bit. The roof procedure is a 2 day affair so Wednesday will be busy too.
Every now and then I have a start and say, "Oh, oh, I haven't had a blog entry for too long."  And when that happens they may not be that interesting." But at least you know I am thinking about you.

South Texas for the winter?

Don Harper, current vice president of our park association has found that he has two rentals available as his renters developed health issues and are not able to come this season. If this is something you would like to look into, email me at keep.movin.on@gmail.com with 'rental' in the subject line and I will do my best to get you info or put you in touch with Don. Don and his wife Marty are super landlords and I would recommend them highly. Our weather has been good so far with highs generally in the 70's and lows in the 50's. As I write this at 6:12 pm I have the window open and can hear crickets chirping. Come on down!

Lost weekend

Butch and I hang on to miscellaneous items that we really do not want any more but has too much value to toss in the trash. And then when we get to Magnolia and on the first weekend in December we sign up for a table in Allen Hall to display and sell our items.
Friday is a setup day and the time when park people can do their shopping first before it is open to the public on Saturday morning. And that is what we did this morning. These photos are from this mornings setup.

Larry on the left is chairman of the garage sale and Don left the pool hall long enough to bring up some items to sell. Don is Butch's instructor and main pool partner.

Tuffy is amazed that Butch is selling a pool cue. No worry Tuffy, Butch owns several.

Not much to shout about

We are on about day 4 of cloudy, cool and dingy weather. Still getting most walks in. Have only missed a couple of them.

Butch is spending his spare time in the pool hall.

I have worked on a few computer issues and had fair success at smoothing out lives here and there.

So this seemed like a weenie of a post so I decided to look at photos I have taken recently. And here are a few of them...

I was a bit too late to get the best shot of this rainbow.

Lined up for announcements at Tuesdays coffee hour.

Some of the better listeners.

And here is the best shot of the day! These two are cooking up something. I can guarantee it. Kay and Peggy. This may be my best shot of the whole season!!!

For Keri B.

I knew Keri would enjoy this so this is especially for her. Thanks, Deon-for posting it on Facebook so I could snip it.

Cold front

This morning when I arose the outside temp was 65 and now it is 55 as it has dropped off all day long. No excuses. We walked two times today warmly clothed. I look forward to getting into my PJ's tonight and settling in while Butch ventures over to the pool hall as usual.
This afternoon I made Panchos and they were so easy. I look forward to making them for all of our up north friends throughout the summer. Butch says they are a winner and that is high praise from that boy.

This afternoon on walk number two Peggy snapped a photo of Jim and Kay Voss's latest creation. Those two make a good team with the crafting of unique items. 

Full Day

Yesterday was a full day for both of us. I had computer class in the morning and we were able to iron out a few trouble issues. When I left the hall I found Butch helping Larry Ergen clean up the shuffleboard court. Peggy and I got a walk in while Butch was still busy.
Then Peg and I decided to go to Costco because they had pork loins on sale for $10 off. We loaded up by making two trips into the store. After calculations, we paid less than $1 a pound for it. That was our Black Friday coup for this year.

Another bit that happened yesterday was that I found an item online that I wanted to buy but when I tried the website was down and I could not get the purchase completed. I have never had that happen before. So I waited a couple of hours and tried again. Didn't get it finished because I had to leave for Costco. I thought it no big deal and would do it when I came home. So on the news last night they gave the best shopping tip for the season. When you see a good price on something check the same item on Amazon to find out if it is a good deal. I decided to do that. Actually it is usual for me to do that but it had slipped my mind. I saved $30 for all the delay. It was $30 cheaper on Amazon.
Comparison shopping is always a good idea.

Worth pondering

"In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive." —Lee Iacocca

I have found this to be true. For those that know me finding out my first instinct when presented with stress is to go for a walk will not be surprised. A friend from the past always started cleaning house very vigorously. Action is always a good antidote for stress. The mind has trouble focusing on two tasks at the same time contrary to the multitasking theory.
In our favor, we are probably the least stressed people on the planet, we retired folk who come south for the winter.  

Thanks Giving

I decided that I was not going to eat myself into a state of misery and indeed I did not. My plate was extremely conservative and I am thankful for it. I felt really great the entire rest of the day.
I was reminded of Ethan when he presented everyone with toys last summer and told us, "You will take what you get and be thankful for it". It was entirely appropriate.
After Butch enjoyed his dinner he went to the little hall and played cribbage. They had 5 tables of cribbage players. Cribbage remains one of the many popular games played around the park. After a short break, he then went to the pool hall to finish off his day.
This morning I remembered that November is a marker for this blog. We will be starting into our fourteenth year, you and I, writing and reading these entries. Is it no wonder I hit a block now and then.

Pictures I have gleaned from Facebook. 
Little Leo Teeter at his preschool Thanksgiving program. His Mom said he wanted the microphone so I suppose he will follow in his father's footsteps in calling tractor pulls.

  And here we have Jason and Laura with Nicole and Ethan. Wonderful smiles on all the faces.

 And this is Miss Elise putting together a turkey mask. I have no doubt she will be quite crafty like her mom.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Donn and Peggy's new steps

Looks high class!

Awaiting their new home

The work getting started.

50 Nerds of Grey

 Really? I like Windows 10. I do know people who will get a kick out of this though. 

Southern living

I know there is a magazine with that name-Southern Living- and I decided to title this post with it. Our life in the north and south differ in many ways but also have many similarities. We are the same people after all and we have been married for 56 adventurous years. It takes a bit to adjust on both ends and it seems to take longer each time, but that could be an illusion.
One of the big adjustments is in the kitchen. Items are in different places and we do not take all of our equipment with us and it is a big decision. Most of us duplicate quite a bit but then there are always the very favorite things that cannot be duplicated. I am using my NuWave oven nearly every day and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite things. In fact, I have not turned on the RV stovetop or oven even once and we have only eaten out 3 times since arrival. I have also ordered the NuWave induction plate to replace the stovetop burners and it should arrive today. More fun!!
One of the things I have discovered about myself is that I enjoy the challenge of learning something new. That has driven me on the computer and most recently the oven. For me, it is fun.
Butch is playing pool every night from 6 to 8, golf on Tuesdays and cribbage on Thursdays afternoons. So far his life has not taken on the frantic pace it can down here. I think he has been ready for a slow-down of sorts from years past.

I have computer patients on occasion and it can be a mixed bag of success. Lately it has been tipping on the successful side and that relays a feeling of satisfaction.

Donn and Peggy are getting new steps today. I took a picture from where I sit at my computer so they will have a before and after. Donn power-washed the cement in front of their place and there is no question about where he ended. Did he stop for contrast or fatigue? Time will tell.

The old steps are somewhat hidden by the stack of chairs.

 Last Saturday Butch and I went to the Fiesta restaurant for breakfast tacos. Their tacos are made fresh every day and for many years I have wanted to get a picture of the ladies making tacos and I finally managed to get that done. We have decided it is the best place currently for breakfast tacos and we will be back.

Fiesta!

We went to the Fiesta restaurant for breakfast this morning. They always have one and sometimes two ladies making fresh tortillas and they do it where everyone can watch. She was happy to let me take her picture and her hands were a blur of activity.

Butch and I had sausage and egg breakfast tacos and they were delicious. They will remain our go-to place for breakfast tacos.

Still Lovin'

My NuWave oven.

Tuna Melts

Prep 15 m

Cook 10 m

Ready In 25 m

"Delicious melted cheesy tuna sandwiches."

Ingredients

• 1 (1 pound) loaf French bread
• 1 small sweet onion, peeled and diced
• 1 (12 ounce) can tuna, drained

• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mayonnaise

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine sweet onion, drained tuna, mozzarella, and mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly.
3. Spread tuna mixture on slices of French bread to form a sandwich. Place sandwiches on a cookie sheet.
4. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Stew meat Chili

Keri gave me some stew meat before we left so today I cooked it in the pressure cooker and then added my usual chili recipe ingredients and it was a winner. True Texas chili doesn't use hamburger so we can get by with calling this

 True Texas Chili.

Little Leo is growing like a weed!

I like the writer.

Celebrate 365 days of the year
November 18, 2015Greene County News Online
~a column by Colleen O’Brien

Every day of November in the U.S. is a day to memorialize: there is the most revered, Veteran’s Day, on Nov. 11, as well as Thanksgiving, of course, this year on the 26th. But celebrating other days of the month might amuse you or appeal to you. Clean Your Refrigerator Day is on the 15th; did you take care of this on Sunday? A rumor persists that it was Westinghouse, an appliance company, that initiated this health-conscious day, but I could not verify it. The Internet page describing this occasion and the disgusting things in one’s fridge that might have grown into poison does contain an ad for Maytag, however.

On the 19th, you can celebrate Have a Bad Day Day. The intent here is to discourage sales people from telling you to “Have a nice day!” This trite farewell seems a poor reason to celebrate national rudeness, but there you have it.

Can you guess what Our Uncles Are Monkeys Day celebrates on Nov. 24? They say it is to honor Charles Darwin. The misbelief in our evolution from monkey to human being, obviously still evolving, should be celebrated with hilarity; as well as relief that one of us evolved enough to invent flush toilets.

On Nov. 27 is Pins and Needles Day. This has a mixed explanation, some believing it started so we could have a specific day of nervous worry, as in “being on pins and needles”; others believing it came about from an advertisement for a 1937 Broadway musical by that name celebrating the seamstresses in New York’s garment district. I worry already. Why celebrate it? Or an obscure Broadway hit?

The origin of Take a Hike Day, Nov. 17, has not been unearthed. A group called the “National Whatever Day,” which does research on such topics, brilliantly concludes it was created by a hiking organization. It appears to me that it could also be the day to tell someone on your list to “take a hike.”

Make Your Own Head Day sounds a bit awkward, but it turns out it is a crafty, perhaps even arty, day. Celebrated not just in the U.S but in India, the UK and Australia, suggesting an English language theme, it is a project day, so think ahead to make your head. Use clay or papier-mache’ or tin or cardboard. You have time to gather your materials for the working Saturday, Nov. 28, celebration.

Go For a Ride Day is Nov. 22. This is a day to do just that — go for a ride. Horseback, camelback, bicycle, motorbike, plane, train, automobile. If you just don’t feel like it, rent a movie, a Go For a Ride movie, often called on-the-road cinema. The original on-the-road stars were Bob Hope and Bing Crosby clowning around on the Roads to Zanzibar, Hong Kong, Morocco, etc. A few of my favorite trip movies are “Easy Rider,” “Five Easy Pieces,” ” It Happened One Night,” ” Thelma and Louise,” ” Little Miss Sunshine,” “Nebraska” and “Grapes of Wrath.” What are yours?

One of the nagging questions regarding every day of the year having an obscure celebration or two is Who came up with them? A popular food Twitterer, John-Bryan Hopkins, makes up food celebration days for the fun of it. People who read him honor Oreos, Tater Tots, Fruit Loops and onion rings. If he tires of one food day, he simply renames it; Cupcake Day, for example. These actually wind up on regular calendars here and there.

An online website, NationalDayCalendar.com, lets you create your own holiday and be awarded a certificate for it. Cost is $19.99. Other sites can cost $800, or nothing.

It is almost charming, this celebratory spirit in us, in an often self-promoting and sometimes funny way. Surely now and then a Day has altered people’s lives. On Nov. 30, if you celebrate Stay at Home Because You Are Well Day, read the small-print: “We recommend you use extreme caution and good judgment. Following the concept of this day could get you a reprimand or cost you your job. Participating in this day might not be the right thing for you to do.”

The moral is that calendars might be dangerous. Read and choose your days to celebrate with a grain of salt, if not skepticism. If you take them seriously, approach Day celebrations with a club or a long hatpin, or at least caution. I hope you did that on Nov. 16 — Have a Party with a Bear Day — and did not invite a live one.

Living the Good Life

Been getting in 2 mile-long walks a day. Sometimes 3! Trying new recipes, cooking instead of eating out although we did eat at Riverside in Mission TX Sunday with Donn and Peggy and Bill and Kay. The Riverside is THEE place to go for tenderloins in the Rio Grande Valley. We Iowans are very spoiled having great tenderloins in almost every Iowa restaurant. The ones at the Riverside are indeed the best in the RGV.

 When we were at Terry and Lisa's place in Canyon Lake TX, Butch found a heart rock and gave it to me. I love it!!

Cooking to Beat the Band

Before we left Iowa I borrowed Mickeys hot air oven to see if I would like it. I had watched an infomercial about a NuWave oven and it peaked my interest. However, I know myself and I wanted to be sure I would actually use it. Especially since it would be a sacrifice of space in the motorhome. I bought one.
And I love it for many reasons, too many to list. The one I am most aware of at this time is that it does not heat up the motorhome. We have been running the AC and then if I started the RV oven it is like setting up a conflict of goals! If interested, watch a youtube video and they will explain all the features. Here is one of many videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9CZv37iQO4 ) I ordered mine from Amazon.

Another reason I like it is speed. Oven results with microwave speed. win/win.

So yesterday we went to the Farmers market up the road to load up on produce. I have known there was a big lack of veggies in our diet and my goal was to rectify that.  I found a recipe to try with multiple veggies. I will tell those who care to read this far that I used square aluminum pans to put the veggies in. You can put them directly on the nuwave racks but I chose not to.
So here is the recipe I tried with added notes. It was a huge hit. And really, you do not need a fancy new oven to do this recipe. Let me know how it turns out in a conventional oven.

Roasted Vegetable Medley Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 30 min.

MAKES: 7 servings

Ingredients

• 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into small wedges
• 2 medium sweet red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary or 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• (Butch and I are not fond of rosemary so I used 1 T. of Morton Season-All salt. I would suggest using any seasonings for your personal tastes. Mr. Fussy-Butt loved it and ate all there was of it.)
• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, red peppers, squash, sweet potato and onion. In a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar and seasonings. Pour over vegetables and toss to coat.
2. Transfer to two greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Bake, uncovered, 30-40 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Yield: 7 servings.

Nutritional Facts

1 cup equals 152 calories, 6 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 347 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.

I prepared this in my NuWave oven. Oven set on 350 for 20 minutes-used extension and 3 “ rack- stirred once during cooking. Loved it!

Callie

Callie is a fussy-butt of a cat and does not warm up to everyone, but she remembered Butch and run to him like an old friend. Her people were quite surprised.

After coffee and golf today, Butch and I went to Mexico. Our favorite place to eat has closed permanently due to lack of customers. Garcia's is no more. Another victim of the drug cartels. So Butch and I went to Elsa's for Pancho's and margaritas. I liked Pancho's in both places, but the cheese was queso blanco (white cheese) in Garcia's and the yellow/orange stuff at Elsa's. They are tasty both ways, but my preference is the white. May have to search for a new place in Nuevo Progreso, Mex.

Start of 2015/16 season.(out of sync)

We have settled in and are enjoying the slower pace that takes happens in the early part of the season. Yesterday I started in on the cupboards around my computer desk, organizing, discarding and cleaning the entire area. It is amazing the many items you find that have not been touched in years. I started one box putting in tape of all kinds, fasteners, wall hooks and other things of that nature. The box kept growing, but I did find one box large enough to contain it all. I started another box for all things computer related, cords, cables etc. This took me several hours, but there is a sense of satisfaction once completed.

Tuesday at coffee hour I asked for a show of hands wanting computer class to begin. I had enough takers so this morning is the day. More on that later if there is anything to say.

Settled in

We have settled in. It always takes me a while to get my nest all fluffed out and ready for a 5 month stay. This morning I wanted to make some muffins and I knew for a fact I had put my blender somewhere but for the life of me I could not remember where. So I took our super duper LED flashlight and went on a search. I soon found it. Still haven't made the muffins yet but that is another story.

A cold front made its way through south Texas and the high today will be 70 degrees. Ever since we had arrived the weather has been extremely hot and humid so this cold front has been feeling kinda good. It was also good that we could turn off the AC!

Bill and Kay arrived and knowing what it takes to get settled in we have given them space. They are now ready for company so we have had a nice visit or two the past couple of days.

November is a quiet month here. The traffic is lighter and all in all, more of a laid back feel. Butch and I made our first foray to H.E.B. yesterday. It is so refreshing to be met with friendly faces. The local people are glad to see us and that makes you feel good. I came across a lady with several children and she was teaching them comparison shopping. They were buying oatmeal. I asked her and her girls what was the best buy.(Mom's Best $1.28)  She asked where we were from. She said she had moved back here from northern California having grown up in this area. And then in another isle an older lady was not paying attention and turned around about bumping into me. I smiled and said, "Whoops". She was very apologetic and I assured her I was not upset in the least. For some reason, the friendliness, and accommodating attitude reminded me why we like Texas. And H.E.B. is still my favorite grocery store in the entire U.S. of A.

We have some pretty pigeons in our park. Camera shy, however.

November 3 2015

We are getting settled in for the season. We will have our high-speed Time Warner connection tomorrow. The park wifi works, but it can be real touchy. I think it is very dependent on how many people are on. I have no patience for lousy connections.

Peggy and I made a Costco run today. We had great fun getting caught up with all the funny stuff that has happened during the summer. We are anxious for the third side of the triangle (Kay Stilson) to get here on Thursday. It always seems our sense of humor matches and busts us up all at the same time. Laughing keeps you healthy. 

Peggy and I have been getting two mile walks each day, one in the morning and one in late afternoon. I had been remiss for the past week so it feels good to get it started again. Butch comes with us now and then.

Jim and Kay Voss have a beautiful straight growing papaya tree in their yard but it is a male. 

Until they get a girl they will not be getting any papaya. 

Our winter home in 2015

Donn and Peggy Gordon

Donn and Peggy Gordon residence where Mr. Papaya is on the left and Mrs Papaya on the right. I asked our resident papaya expert, Chet how will we know they are ripe. He said we had to harvest them as soon as any yellow shows up to save them from the birds but then we are to wait until they look spoiled before peeling, seeding and chopping the fruit. I am ready for a nice juicy papaya!

This morning's sky at 6:45 AM

Papaya

Last season when Donn and Peggy came back to the valley they planted two papaya trees. We have a papaya expert in the park, Chet Johnson. Chet must have 20 papaya trees in his yard. He says papaya trees are sex specific and you need a male and female tree. So the Gordons planted two trees and hoped for the best. This season this is what they found upon their arrival.

All this growth happened in one year!