Thermostat Wars

 He has thyroid issues so I tell him his thermostat is broken. It seems it doesn't matter where we are; Iowa home, Texas home, or in the car one of us isn't comfortable. I exaggerate. It really isn't that bad. It just seems that way sometimes. 

We knew a couple a few years ago, Bonnie and Fred, who had extreme thermostat issues. I think Fred set it on his age. He was in his 90's. He was never warm enough. They were a late-in-life couple and Bonnie was from a way-up-north state. The situation got to the point that Fred would not go with her in the Spring because he had a hard enough time staying warm in South Texas and way-up-north was out of the question. They are both gone now so their thermostat war is over. I trust they are both comfortable.

Many, many years ago I helped my nearly blind grandmother walk home from church. I know it was during lent because there would be no other reason for walking home after dark with her. I must have been 8 or 9 years old. I wore a light and airy dress that was new and I had not worn a sweater or a jacket. We stopped in the "Little Store" so I could warm up. It was in the days of Neighborhood Grocery Stores. A young boy of 10 or 11 happened to be in there. His name was Butch Brooker but I didn't know that then. When we stepped in Grandma Brock said, "If you would wear some clothes you wouldn't be cold!" Butch has never forgotten that.

So here is hoping your thermostat wars are amicable.

Ageless

Activity Overload

 It boils down to decisions that I understand get more difficult with age. Butch and I were quick deciders all our lives with mostly good results. We can still make quick ones today, they just take longer. (That's a joke.)

The number of activities taking place in Trophy Gardens this month could boggle the soundest of minds. If you cannot find your niche, you aren't trying. Trivia is still taking place on Tuesday nights in the main hall. And we have dedicated groups that are hanging in there but we had two teams who decided to do something different last night and that is A-OK. My guess is they were resting. 

Oh,yes! Team Part Timers won with a score of 128. It was noticed that they spun a pencil in the middle of the table to decide the answer to some of the questions. Hey, whatever works, right? Congratulations!

There are over 600 people in the park, way up from the covid years, and I think everyone is trying to make up for the lost time. We must admit it was an event that touched everyone's life in one way or another, still is, and probably always will!

So choose your activities wisely and keep some quiet time for yourself to recoup.

Best wishes always!!

Iowa Potluck

 Yesterday afternoon we attended the Iowa Potluck supper in Trophy Gardens Main hall. There was a guestimate of 70 people in attendance. The twins, Mary and Marge host it each season and they do an excellent job. These things do not happen by themselves and it gets a bit more of a challenge when we hit the 'birthday button' each year. An abundance of volunteers magically appears and that helps too. 

After the meal, we played trivia. We were divided into teams by the tables we were seated. There were 20 questions all about Iowa. Our table won an ice cream treat from DQ by answering 17 questions correctly.

I am sure they thought it might have been a bit slanted in our direction with me heading up trivia every week. But the truth be known, putting the questions together isn't that much help. Butch, Darrel, and Linda were much quicker and more correct with the answers. Also, there is a guy back in Iowa that helped a great deal and he wasn't even here. Denny Lautner is an expert on Iowa trivia and he came to the trivia sessions we had each Thursday in our pool hall. And every now and then he would give us a few Iowa questions so I guess you could say we practiced.

Gotta Few...

 Gotta few... minutes before going to the pool hall to line up the mixed doubles event this afternoon at 1:00. I am committed to two of the events taking place in the park. This and trivia. There shall be no more on my todo list. I do enjoy both of them.

Yesterday Darrel and Linda Millard came by for happy hour. Darrel and I were classmates from kindergarten and grew up in the same neighborhood. We started reminiscing and discovering all kinds of connections through various people. He casually mentioned one of his best friends Donald Zimmerle. Donnie is a cousin of mine. And it went on from there. Butch and Darrel both set pins at the bowling alley but having 2 years difference in age they didn't work at the same time. It was a fun and happy hour. A happy surprise!

My few minutes are up for now...

Park Newsletter

 Betsie Brown has put together Bits and Pieces for a good many years and it remains a source for all the happenings within the park, past, present, and future. I am going to copy and paste one of the most recent ones because it struck me as remarkable. Food, food everywhere!

This is just a sample. Most people have no idea of the time and energy it takes to put these newsletters together. Having put together blog entries as I have for over 20 years I am sympathetic to her efforts. Thanks, Betsie!

Bits & Pieces / 1-30-2023

 ***I'm gone for a week carving and missed the Park Meeting on Tuesday and the food choices broke out!!  Lots of eating in February.   I can't hardly buy the ingredients for all those foods and save money. I don't have to plan the meals, I don't have to fix them and I don't have to clean up afterward.  WOW, you can't beat that!!!

***Starting out with: 

Feb.1st is the NEBRASKA Potluck at 4:30

Feb. 2nd- Veterans Appreciation lunch at 11:30

Feb.3rd is Ann's 6 Pack Party and I bet there is food there too!! Don't forget your favorite 6 pack. 

Feb. 5th is the Luau Party by the pool at 3:00 pm.

Feb. 6th is the IOWA Potluck at 4:00 pm 

Feb. 7th is the "Blessings to You" Potato Bake delivered to where you want them to go.

Feb. 9th is the "Build Your Own Burger" at noon.

Feb. 10th Is the Peter Piper Party at 4:00 pm.

Feb. 12th is the Super Bowl Party in the hall.  Sounds like fun!!

Feb. 13th is the Pet Parade at the Dog Walk Park at 10:00 am.  I bet they will have a Hot Dog for a donation to a Dog Charity!!  The pet parade is fun to watch and see who wins.  Maybe some of your favorite friends will be all dressed up.

Feb. 14th is the Valentine's Meal at 5:00 pm.

Feb  16th is the Oriental Chicken Lunch at noon.

Feb. 21st is Mari Gras and I'm sure there will be some Gumbo to go along with that!!

Feb  24th is the "Cropp and Moore" Pizza Party at Peter Piper Pizza in                           Alamo at 4:00.

Feb. 25th is the Craft Sale and Karan always has great food at lunchtime.

Like I said there is something there for everyone.  Enjoy!!

Betsie Brown

A Pajama Day

 Most of the Winter Texans will know what I mean by a "Pajama Day". For me, it is defined as a day when the weather is such that you do not want to venture forth. And since you are not planning to go anywhere you can stay in your pajamas.

The current outdoor temperature is 38 degrees at 8:05 AM. It all started late Monday afternoon as we had happy hour on the deck. Suddenly, the wind was from the North and it had a bite to it. They forecasted that it would drop into the 40s and stay that way until Friday. Those who are staying up North say, "Big Whoop!" and I do understand. We remember what it can be like up there and that is why we are here! To perhaps put a different perspective on it, for a few minutes imagine it is July and the daily temps have been running in the 80s. And then the weatherman says a cold front is coming through and the temps will stay in the 40s for 3 days and nights! That is a bit of a shock to the system. We are acclimated to a balmy 80 degrees. I am not asking for your sympathy because quite frankly I know I don't have a leg to stand on. 

Pajama Days are virtually unheard of and most of the people I know here will not be able to have one anyway because they are committed to being somewhere for an activity sometime today. 

I will thoroughly enjoy my pajama day because it will most likely be the only one this season.

Follow up on Running

 I can't run very fast. I never could. I had 3 close friends most of my school years and they could all run faster than I and sometimes I wondered why. I didn't ponder it too much and now that I look back I marked it up to a simple "They are better runners." As simple as that. Jean and Valeta are no longer with us but Mickey and I keep plugging along doing the best we can and accepting the rest. Neither of us can run now but last I knew I might be able to outwalk Mickey. Sometimes it takes me a while to catch up!

Running as fast as I can

 I had a hard time keeping up when we were in Iowa, mainly because there was nothing new to report and now we are in Texas, and I still need to catch up because there is so much going on! 

Jason and Laura were here for a fast and furious 3 days. One of the unforeseen benefits is now when we talk on the phone they have a firmer grasp of everything we are involved in and the people we spend the most time with. We like that.

Our shower is done and we love it. 

We were told the other day that we had the best park model in the park because it has the very best kitchen. She wanted to buy it but missed out due to a miscommunication. Lucky us. Alice J. had her eye on our place for a long time. We are aware that if and when we put our place on the market it will not be there long.

A few of us are going to eat at the KBN Seafood Restaurant today. Butch cannot go because he is committed to pool. They have "American food" too so if you are tempted to try it don't hold back. It is located at the corner of Trenton and Sugar Road.

My surgery to have a spot removed from my cheek because of a positive biopsy happens on February 9th. I can't remember if I had previously mentioned that. I have had other spots removed in the past so it is not concerning me, at least not yet. When I mentioned it to one of the happy hour people she said if I counted all my friends who have told me that in the last week or so it would be close to 10.

Our Happy Hour hosts are headed for a cruise this next week so we might have to fill in the gap on our deck. In fact, we plan on it. All you need to bring is your happy! It is daily from 4:00 to 5:00. Sure hope it warms up. We are once again going through a cold spell. Current outdoor temp is 53.4 at 11:15 AM.

Maybe I can close the gap between entries next time but I am not making any promises!

Hectic

 We are partway through the two most hectic months of the season, January and February. When we left Magnolia park I promised myself I would not get my time filled up to where I could barely breathe. And I have done that. One of the reasons I chose to do that is because when our RV went out the gate in the Spring I felt relieved and had a sense of freedom like being on vacation. So slow down you move too fast would dance through my head and still does now and then. The downside of this plan is that I do not always come across as accessible. I am involved to a limited degree in two areas, the pool hall and trivia. I enjoy both of these activities. There are many other areas that hold an interest for me but choices must be made so that I do not go out the gate in the Spring in a state of relief but rather a choice of a different cycle. So rest assured I am not giving any of you the snub and someday I might make a switch. I try to stay flexible. Don't feel bad or sad if I say "No". It isn't personal. I am just as busy as I want to be which isn't very!

Winter Texan Expo

We went to the expo today with Darrel and Linda Millard. Butch and I have been coming to the RGV for 25 years and yet we have never gone to the expo. Darrel and Linda went last year when they were here and enjoyed it. It is a hoot in more ways than one and in case you haven't found out, when you get a bunch of seniors together for any event it might become much more than you expect. There are a bunch of vendors and they are hoping to become your friend and share your pocketbook but by the time you are our age you do not share unless you really, really want to. We came home with lots of little gifts and teasers and didn't buy a thing. HEB was there handing out trail mix and giving $5 gift cards. We can make good use of that! Butch and I were separated for a while and I found him at a booth getting collagen applied to the bags under his eyes. The pretty young thing applying it had nails so long I thought he might lose an eye! It did work magic but when he heard the price ($199) she lost a customer. She was gracious about it though.

Before: Actually, they were even puffier than this. This is an old pic.

After:

Remarkable!

Comparison

 Our "kids" Jason and Laura were here last week and they bought pecans while they were here. Yesterday Jason sent me this... He said, One of these things is not like the other. You ever play that game?.
The pecans we have access to are the very best.

January/February

We are into the two busiest months of the year. You can find yourself so busy you are not sure if you are coming or going. These are the prime two months that everyone wants to be here. Being the introvert that I am my favorites are the other four of the winter season. The older I get the more difficult dealing with busy seems to be. This year will mark a new decade for me so I do not look for that to improve.

It was as much fun as I anticipated when Jason and Laura surprised us. We enjoyed every minute of their being with us and look forward to a repeat of that. It would be different if they were here for a longer period of time so the pressure of cramming in as much as possible would be lifted.

I must mention the weather. We have been coming to the RGV for 25 years. We got used to the weather being what everyone expects when it is labeled tropical. It has been a few years since we have enjoyed the usual thing for the weather. Mother nature is making up for it this year. This has been the best January we have had in memory and we are enjoying it and being grateful. If the weather turns sour we all know how to handle it! We have practiced for the past 3 years!

We are scheduled for a massage on Thursday. Yippee!

Snippets

New shower-We are loving it!

 Old Shower-12 inch step.  The step on the new one is about 3 inches.

Jason and Laura in Mexico

Taken in the hallway next to the restroom in the Red Snapper

The Rio Grande River in the background

I am Back!

A trophy for the representative Trophy Gardens First Place Winners in the 2023 RGV Senior Olympics- Doubles Pool Butch Brooker and Paul Kelleher. They look exhausted but they were a happy pair to be Gold Medal Winners!!

Visitors

 Jason called on Monday ( I think. It might have been Tuesday) and said they planned to come to the RGV for 3 days and would arrive on Thursday. I was able to reserve them a room in the apartments. I found out there is a 3 day minimum for rentals of the apartments. It was the first time I had been inside one of them and I do have to say they are small. $ 65 a night and that is not bad these days. Any more than a month in one would be too much I think. They are fine for  3 days as you would most likely be too busy to care. It was good to have them nearby and it made planning for events and the coming and going much easier. 

Butch was in a tournament on Tuesday and he came in 3rd in the RGV Senior Olympics. They were pleased. Wednesday we wrapped up as many details as we could getting ready for the "kids" to come on Thursday. Butch played with his partner, Paul Kelleher in the doubles and they won the gold medal on Thursday! What a day it turned out to be! Jason and Laura arrived about 12:30. and I showed them around the park then at 4:00 we joined in the daily Happy Hour at our neighbors Bill and Sandi. They provide the place and you bring your own "happy" and it breaks up promptly at 5 so everyone can get their supper before joining in whatever evening activities they have planned. It works beautifully. A fun time was had by all. Butch and Paul were a bit late having won their gold medal and were still enjoying the win when they arrived. They represented Trophy in a mighty fine way.

When Jason and Laura arrived I showed them around the park, and we returned to our park model, going over for happy hour at 4:00. We had a very good time introducing our family to our southern friends.

Not the best of pictures but you get the idea!

Have I lost you?

 I have to get ready for trivia night by lining up the 20 questions and when I finish with that I will catch up. Butch won a pool tournament. Jason and Laura came to South Texas FINALLY! So see you in a bit. You can time me if you like...

Sunday Scotch Doubles

 Sunday Scotch Doubles took place last Sunday with 12 teams of two participating. The results are 8 wins-Sally Kelleher and Butch Brooker

                       7 wins-Bev Mceneny and Steve Beaston

                       7 wins-Mikie Patrick and Greg Dowhaniuk

                       7 wins-Betsie Brown and Jeff Golly

                      7 wins-Debbie Thompson and Kinley Paulson 

                      6 wins-Arja Dowhaniuk and Don Riley

                      6 Wins- Donna Hanke and Marcel Tessier

There were 12 teams and 7 "winners". In fact, we are all winners when we sign up to play with a new partner each week. We do have a lot of fun in the Pool Hall on Sunday afternoons. We play for the fun of it and we work really hard to mean it!

Come join us sometime. The new sign-up sheet goes up when the current one comes down. 

THE EARTH'S POPULATION STATISTICS PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE:

 World Population Clock: 7.95 Billion People (2022) - Worldometer (worldometers.info)

For most people, this is an unfathomable figure. However, if we condense that 7.9 billion into 100 persons, and then condense it further into various percentage statistics, the resulting analysis is relatively much easier to comprehend.

 Out of 100 people:

11 are in Europe

5 are in North America

9 are in South America

15 are in Africa

60 are in Asia

49 live in the countryside

51 live in cities

75 have mobile phones

25 do not

30 have internet access

70 do not have the availability to go online

7 received a university education

93 did not attend college.

83 can read

17 are illiterate.

 33 are Christians

22 are Muslims

14 are Hindus

7 are Buddhists

12 are other religions

12 have no religious beliefs.

26 live less than 14 years

66 died between 15 - 64 years of age

8 are over 65 years old.

 Think about this - If you live in your own home, are able to eat full meals & drink clean water, have a mobile phone, can surf the internet and went to college, you are in a minuscule percentage of the population and are a highly privileged person this day. 

(This equates to being in the less than 7% category)

Amongst 100 persons in the world - only 8 will live or exceed the age of 65!

If you are already over 65 years old - be content, grateful and thank God; cherish life, and grasp every moment.

If you did not leave this world before the age of 64, like the 92 persons who did pass before you, you are truly blessed amongst mankind. Take good care of your own health. Cherish every remaining moment.  

Thanks, Dan and Linda Lang!

How is YOUR memory?

How are you feeling about your memory today?

Thanks to Dan and Linda Lang for sending this to me. Hopefully, it will hit your "grateful button" as it did for me.

 

If you think you are suffering memory loss.......it's called anosognosia....it gets interesting...

 In the following analysis the French Professor Bruno Dubois, Director of the Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's disease (IMMA) at La Pitié-Salpêtrière - Paris Hospitals, addresses the subject in a rather reassuring way:

 "If anyone is aware of their memory problems, they do NOT have Alzheimer's."

1. You know you forget the names of families.

2. You know you don't remember where you put some things, but you remember you had them.

 

This often happens in people 60 years and older and they complain they are losing/lacking their memory.

"All information remains in the brain, but the "processor" is lacking."

 This is "Anosognosia" or temporary forgetfulness.

 Half of the people 60 and older have some symptoms due to age rather than disease.

 Some of the most common cases are:

- forgetting the name of a person,

- going to a room in the house and not remembering why we were going there,

- a blank memory for a movie title or actor, an actress,

- a waste of time searching where we left our glasses or keys ..

 After 60 years most people have some difficulty, which indicates that it is not a disease but rather a characteristic due to the passage of years.  Many people are concerned about these oversights, hence the importance of the following statements:

 1."Those who are conscious of being forgetful have no serious problem of memory."

2. "Those who suffer from a memory illness or Alzheimer's, are not aware of what is happening."

 Professor Bruno Dubois, Director of IMMA, reassures the majority of people concerned about their oversights:

 "The more we complain about memory loss, the less likely we are to suffer from memory sickness."

 Now for a little neurological test: Only use your eyes!

 1- Find the C in the table below!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

2- If you found the C, then find the 6 in the table below.

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

69999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999

 

 3- Now find the N in the table below. Attention, it's a little more difficult!

 MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

 

If you pass these three tests without a problem:

 - you can cancel your annual visit to the neurologist.

- your brain is in perfect shape!

- you are far from having any relationship with Alzheimer's.

 

We are truly blessed, so share this with your over-65 friends, and remind them to enjoy life and be reassured.