Tuesday, March 18

Ethan plays

Ethan plays a video game for the first time. His Mom says it did not last long.
Just the other day one of my friends asked why I didn't have a picture of Ethan lately so I was happy to see this one. He is growing up very quickly!

Marlene's Lemon Meringue Pie

Butch's sister, Marlene, makes the world's best Lemon Meringue Pie and I am not the only one who thinks so. My friend Peggy says it makes her mouth water just thinking about it. Yesterday at crafts we were discussing her pie and I said she most likely has the recipe in her head and wouldn't be able to tell us. But I emailed her and asked and she shared her meringue recipe with us this morning. So here is Marlene's Meringue.
From Marlene:
It’s a strange recipe, but works for me –
                                    Never Fail Meringue
                                    1 TBLS. Cornstarch
                                    2 TBLS. Cold water
                  Blend cornstarch and cold water in a saucepan
                                    ½ cup boiling water
                  Add boiling water and cook, stirring until clear and thickened,
                  Let stand until COMPLETELY COLD.
                                    3 egg whites
                                    6 TBLS. Sugar
                                    1 tsp. vanilla or lemon flavoring
                                    Pinch of salt.
                  With electric mixer on high speed, beat egg whites until frothy.
                  Gradually add sugar, and beat until stiff but not dry.
                  Turn mixer to low speed, add salt and flavoring
                  Gradually beat in cold cornstarch mixture.  Turn mixer
                  Again to high and beat well.  Spread meringue over
                  Cooled pie filling.  Bake at 350 degrees about 10 minutes.

Mother Earth News

I subscribed to Mother Earth News 30 years ago. I still have a bread recipe from that publication.
Today I found this site of the day. Good old Mother Earth News is still around.

Directory of Culinary and Medicinal Herbs. "Discover the exceptional flavors and gentle healing capabilities of more than 40 of the plant kingdom’s finest. This is your one-stop shop for reliable information on cultivating, cooking and healing with these special plants." From Mother Earth News.
motherearthnews.com

Sunday, March 16

Considering a Chromebook?

Where I get much of my info: http://thundercloud.net/infoave/new/255-2/

Considering a Chromebook? I agree with the assessment below. I love the chromebook but for some things I will still need a Microsoft computer and will purchase one after they come to their senses and offer one that is old timer friendly. Apple is for those who like to spend money more than I do. I am taking very good care of what I have...and waiting.

Terry is considering buying a Chromebook
i have many questions about my XP--and decided i am too old and set in my ways to learn 8--or 7 for that matter-(had it once but took it off and had XP put back in)--(so very many of my purchased software would NOT work with 7)-can i still use my email (earthlink.net) on a chrome book?

With EarthLink can I use their web based mail box or download it INTO my PC--i am considering your suggestion for a chrome book---i could keep all 3 of my computers , all running XP , off of the internet-- -hopefully i could then transfer info between the PCs and chrome book--using one of those stick things---or with the external hard drives---do the chrome books accept the use of the externals and sticks?--(do they have USB ports ?)-considering having you do your "thing" with moving IE to chrome OS--and adding new virus---your price for that service?---sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book?

Like most folks---my life is in my computers---and all running XP with IE---!!!!!--crochet-craft patterns saved for years--plus thousands of links saved in favorites and thousands as icons on my desktop--does the google chrome book run PDF files? -PS--am trying to use google chrome instead of IE---truth be told am having an awful time---thank you for your time and answers---Terry.

Our answer
Hi Terry, As an owner of a Chromebook and an Android tablet, I will first admit that I'm not an expert on either. I use both quite often but rarely for business.

First, right at the start, I'll tell you that we don't move things from Windows to Chromebooks with our service -- there really is nothing to move. I'll explain as we go along.

First, you can check any web mail account, including EarthLink, on a Chromebook. You sign in just like you do now. However, it would be super convenient for you to have a Gmail account and set up Gmail to check your EarthLink Mail. To learn how to do this see our article here http://goo.gl/Bd4U8T . It's very easy to do, then you can login to your Gmail account and your EarthLink mail will be there.

The reason why I'm suggesting a Gmail account for Chromebook users isn't because I'm a big fan of Gmail (and I am), but because it just makes sense if you're using a Chromebook to have a Gmail account. Why? Because when you have a Gmail account you also have all other Google services like Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Chrome Store etc. When you have all the Google services your Chromebook becomes even more useful. For instance, you can create and read Microsoft Office documents like Excel, Word, etc. Chromebooks (at least mine ) come with 100gb of storage space on Google Drive -- this is important because, since Chromebooks are Web-oriented, they have very small storage drives. So you aren't going to have a lot of hard drive space to store files, documents, etc. But with 100gb of Google Drive space, you have plenty of room to store your favorite files.

Chromebooks have USB ports just like Windows computer, they also have HDMI ports so you can connect it to a high definition TV and watch YouTube videos, Netflix, etc. on your TV via your Chromebooks.

You cannot run Windows software on a Chromebook, so you can't move IE to a Chromebook nor any other Windows program. Chromebooks use the Chrome operating system, not Windows, so if you're planning on moving a bunch of your favorite programs to a Chromebook, it's not going to happen. That being said, the Chrome store has a lot of free apps you can use, some of them actually better than their Windows counterparts. You can browse the Chrome store by clicking the Chrome store shortcut on your Chromebook.

I am really not sure what you mean by "sure would hate to loose or make inoperable all of the stuff that i have collected using IE if i do decide to go with the chrome book..." You can't have anything in IE but your Favorites (bookmarks) and these are easily exported into Chrome. In fact, if you have Chrome on your Windows XP computer you can import all your IE bookmarks (Favorites), settings, etc. into Chrome. If you have a Gmail account you can save them and use them on your Chromebook on the Chrome browser.

You ask about cross stitch patterns and icons on your desktop. Desktop shortcuts are mostly shortcuts to the programs you installed, since these are all Windows programs, you can't move them to Chromebook. As far as cross stitch patterns, if they're in a format such as PDF, yes you can read them in Chromebook; Google docs can open PDF files. But if those patterns are for a specific program and can only be opened by that program, you're not going to be able to use the cross stitch program on a Chromebook, because, again, it's a Windows program.

Google Chrome is actually much easier to use than IE. IE has senseless warnings about scripting errors, add-ons, and, probably the worst of all, the stupid Smart Screen filter. Once you learn that all Google Settings can be accessed by clicking the rectangular icon (with 3 horizontal bars) in the top-right hand corner, you'll see how much simpler it is than IE which is actually very difficult to configure due to its arcane "Internet Options" dialog.

But frankly, Terry, I don't think you'll be happy with a Chromebook. It seems to me you're a Windows guy and there's nothing wrong with that. And a good 15" or 17"Chromebook is only going to save you about $50 to $100 over the cost of a Windows 7 computer (yes, you can still buy Windows 7 laptops and desktops). Windows 7 is not a huge leap for Windows XP users. And if you choose, you can get a really great deal on Windows 8 computers (less than $400) and we can make it work just like Windows 7 for you. All you need to do is buy a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care key and we'll set up your Windows 8.x computer to look and work just like Windows 7.

We recommended Chromebooks for people who typically use their computers for checking email, updating their social networking sites, playing games, browsing the Web and looking at and working with digital photos. It's really not going to be something a dyed-in-the-wool Windows user, like you seem to be, is going to be very happy with.

Most of the programs (90%) you have installed on XP will work on Windows 7 (and Windows 8x). And you'll have IE too if that's what you like.

I hope we've answered all of your questions and we've helped you make a decision as to what your next computer will be.

Thursday, March 13

25 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The Web

The Web is celebrating its 25th year in 2014. Very hard to believe!

25 Things About The Web

http://www.webat25.org/news/webfacts

Wednesday, March 12

Northbound thoughts

It happens every year and it is called "Hitch-itch". Things wind down in the park, activities taper off and you know before long that you will indeed be northbound. I have made a 'last trip to Mexico' list and a checklist for things to get done before take off. The question this year is how far we will be going north. We think our first days run will take us to Sattler (Canyon Lake) Texas. When we leave the park will hinge directly on the new manager. In the past we have stayed over a few days by paying a prorated fee. But word gets back to us that others have met with a stone wall on this issue with her insisting a full month be paid. That will not fly with us. So we will either be leaving the 31st of March or a week later if allowed to prorate our fee.
Our Canyon Lake friends have made reservations at the Llano City RV Park where we have stayed in the past. In fact we stayed there in October on our way down. Their reservations are for 6 days and we will be doing the same starting April 10th with perhaps a longer stay depending on when Spring breaks in Iowa. It is nice to have a plan in place.

Sunday, March 9

Two Bits

Two Bits of interesting items from our most recent RV newsletter. One could happen here and the other has happened here...or close anyway.


A 300-acre campground in Welch, Minn., has been closed by court order. Hidden Valley Campground was shut down in a dispute over its sewage disposal system. Owner Cory Axelson said he's sunk more than $400,000 into system repairs, but a judge says his campground is closed until state officials issue licenses for the system.

Police in Mission, Texas, may have broken up a ring of thieves who specialized in stealing Ford F-250 pickups and selling them in Mexico. Police staked out Mission Bell RV Resort in February, where pickups had been previously stolen, and netted four adults and a juvenile who were charged in connection with at least one truck theft.

Saturday, March 8

Saturday thoughts

Yesterday we found out that a former resident of Magnolia Park is back in the area and looking for a place to rent or buy for next season. As it turns out there is not much available but I digress. This person left quite disabled and left paperwork behind, perhaps things she should not have. It was discovered that she had been married and divorced multiple times, like over 10 times. I have heard different numbers but all of them were over 10. When Donn G heard this he stated that apparently she liked to sleep around legally. That tickled our funny bone.
People are starting to leave as they usually do this time of year but I was reading the Des Moines Register this morning and they said a 130 year record for low temperatures was broken last Monday. LAST MONDAY!!! There has to be some changes made before we can in good conscious leave the warmth for the cold so recently brutal.
Butch was in another Pool event today. He finished respectable but not with a medal. He has one more time to play in league play and then it will be just playing for fun the rest of the time.
Till next time!

Sun

Or rather lack of it. In the last computer class we were discussing photos and getting them in the computer. Judy said that she had not taken many pictures this season because the days have been so gray and the weather so crappy that there were not many photo taking opportunities. And right she is.
It has indeed been a very different season and that continues to be true. We are still in a quandary about when we may head north. We are paid up through March. We will be keeping an eye on Iowa's weather trends. We are pretty certain we may spend some time in Llano TX but that too is not set up yet. So as usual March finds us in a state of limbo. We will get it lined up. We always do.

I did take some photos today while on my walk.






To back up a bit on Friday night the Pool league players had a gathering at the Cleavelands on Willow street. Here are pictures from that event.
Tuffy and Char did BBQ Ribs. Big Yum





Friday, March 7

Wonderful

I had a wonderful birthday yesterday and as I told someone I have had many of them. I hope to have many more.
The night before my birthday we went to the Alamo El Dorado, that is the best one, with our friends Bill and Kay Stilson and Donn and Peggy Gordon and enjoyed another great meal there. Bill Stilson's birthday was on Monday so we were celebrating both events. Great food, great company you cannot beat it.

Then yesterday we met at Bill and Kay's for ice cream and cake, afterwards we went to Denny's so I could get my free breakfast Slam. So my birthday has been nearly a week long event. My friends treat me very well and I am very grateful for them. Life would not be much fun without them.
*
After we settled in for the evening and scanned the TV for something worthy of watching and finding nothing we turned to Netflix. Last summer we started watching the Netflix series "Breaking Bad". There were four seasons of it and as a rule it would not be something I would watch. It is very violent in places. But it is one of the best built series I have ever seen and all very believable. We watch in wonder as this seemingly ordinary family man sinks lower and lower into a very BAD place. Well, we now have season 5 and that is what we are watching. There are 3 episodes left and we are so ready to find out what happens next. This is the final season.
*
In a few minutes I will be teaching another computer class. I need the beginners  to feel comfortable with what they know and we only have 3 or maybe 4 more sessions to make sure that happens.

Tuesday, March 4

First Week in March

The first week in March is very fast paced. So much happens here in the first week and everyone is trying to get things done before the big leave for northern climes. This year may be the time to sit tight and wait for warm weather but we are such creatures of habit that I look for many to head out anyway. I wish them the best and safe travels but I do believe we will hold back and watch for a change in the weather patterns in the northland.
Last year we rushed home because we were anxious to get our little bungalow finished up and then we froze our hiney's off for two months before the weather broke in June. So this time I think we will wait for difference in the trends before heading that way.
There has been so much happen in the last couple of weeks that it easy for me to get way behind. Nothing drastic just the usual events. So I will start with just a few minutes ago. Butch came home with a 3rd place win in 8 ball men's doubles. Don Louks, one of my star new computer users, was his partner.

I got my haircut today and my hairdresser Yolanda told me my hair was very soft, like a baby bunny. She tickled herself by saying so. We decided my hair was so soft because it hasn't been processed in any way. One of my blessings is my hair. I cannot say it has ever been a problem for me. I am happy and grateful for that.



Monday, March 3

Keeping Up with Missouri Great Grands


Here is giggling baby Leo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-kvMz9XVzU#t=60

And here is his sister Elise who went to the high school production of Ariel and loved it!!

Saturday, March 1

Salad Greens

This worked well for me for many years - it's a simple, weed-free way to grow lettuce, spinach and even radishes. Take a 2 cubic feet bag of potting soil (I used Miracle Grow), rumple it around quite a bit to loose the soil, poke quite a few holes in the back side for drainage, then lay the bag on a smooth surface that will allow drainage and not get too hot, and cut out the top, leaving about a 4 or 5 inch border all around. Lightly rake through the soil to even it out and loosen it even more, then carefully, and evenly sprinkle the seeds around. I put my salad green seeds in an old spice bottle with large shaker holes, added some cornmeal, shook it all up to mix well and sprinkled them out of it. I put the cornmeal in there to allow me to see that I had covered the soil evenly. If doing radish seeds or spinach, just make lines the depth mentioned on the seed pack, plant the seeds and cover appropriately. For salad greens I sprinkled a lite covering of soil over the cornmeal and seeds and then spray-misted to water them in. I put my bags on metal sawhorses and grates to make them waist level. This kept the bags off the hot concrete and I didn't have to bend over when cutting my salad. When harvesting, just use a pair of scissors and cut what you need - don't pull the plants out. Same goes for spinach - they will grow back almost magically overnight, and you can't tell where you cut. Spray mist the seeds and plantlings at first when watering, until they are established, then you can water more vigorously as the plants mature. You will probably need to water more often, since the depth of the bags are not as deep as a regular in-ground garden. I just kept mine moist, but not sopping wet.

Jigzone Puzzle

Click on it and waste a few minutes putting it back together

Click to Mix and Solve

Thursday, February 27

Costco Thursday

Friend Peggy takes a few of her Buds who want to, shopping at Costco. The good news is there are many things I really like that I can only get at Costco. The bad news is Costco Thursdays will come to an end when Peggy makes her way back to Nevada and we make our way back to Iowa.
There is a Costco in Des Moines but it is not practical for us to have a membership there. I think I made it to Des moines twice last summer . The fuel spent to get there does not compute to be a practical thing to do. So I will load up here as best I can on the products I love most and  make the best of it.
My Costco list:
Kirkland Fine ground coffee ( I use half the amount because of the fine grind)
Kirkland Albacore Tuna
Kirkland Chunk Chicken
Quinoa and Brown Rice
Fuji Apples
Boiled Eggs
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Kirkland Hormel thick bacon (precooked)
and more that do not come to mind readily.

Greene County meets in Texas

The Greene County Iowa people who winter in Texas get together at least once a season and yesterday was the day at Olive Garden in Weslaco. Some of the comments heard; "Worst winter ever" "I have never made so much soup and chili as I have this winter" " Our golf day is on Tuesday and it is always the worst weather of the week on Tuesday" "I hear the frost level in Iowa is 50 inches deep" "I am not going north too early this year". Everyone agrees it has been a doozy of a year and I think that applies to the entire USA. We all still live with hope in our heart for better days to come.
Sunny South Texas has been once again smacked in the face with a cold snap. Just as we think the last one has made its way through another sneaks its chilly toes in the door.

Monday, February 24

Peggy's Birthday

We helped Peggy celebrate her birthday at the Riverside in Mission Texas. It is on the banks of the Rio Grande River. Later in the day we enjoyed cake and ice cream at the Stilson residence


 There seemed to be some action of some sort on the Mexican side of the river.
 Pecan Bill and Butch looking things over.

 Peggy received wine holders for her birthday...Gee, her friends know she enjoys a nice glass of wine!
Happy Birthday Peggy!!