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."

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!

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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. ;-)

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. :-)

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.

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.

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. ;-)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.