Grand Canyon Skywalk

Grand Canyon Skywalk


The Glass Bridge Construction of the Skywalk began March of 2004 and is estimated to be completed by 4th quarter of 2006.Glass Bridge will be suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River on the very edge of the Grand Canyon. On May 2005, the final test was conducted and the structure passed engineering requirements by 400 percent, enabling it to withstand the weight of 71 fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes (more than 71 million pounds).The bridge will be able to sustain winds in excess of 100 miles per hour from 8 different directions, as well as an 8.0 magnitude earthquake within 50 miles. More than one million pounds of steel will go into the construction of the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

This and That

Wednesday morning seven of us bikers were able to ride. We rode around Donna and went to Daisy's for breakfast. I had a breakfast taco for 99 cents. It was a very nice ride and went quickly. The wind held off till we were back in the park but it has been blowing ever since! Yesterday there was a wind advisory with winds in excess of 40 mph and it is supposed to be another windy one today.
People are pouring into the park now that Christmas is past. We have several new arrivals each day. Some old friends and some new ones.
There are two upcoming events to mention. Probably more, but the ones coming to mind are the New year's eve party in Allen hall. Starts at 7:30 PM with DJ music. It is another great time to socialize with friends and welcome in the new year at the same time. So pull yourself out of that recliner and mix and mingle with your peers.
Secondly there will be a memorial service for Edna Anderson in Allen Hall at 2:00 PM on Saturday. You might say, "I didn't know Edna Anderson." But when I remind you of the lady who persistently dug up sand burs all over Magnolia Park she will come to mind. She was a very special person so come help us pay tribute to her life.

My little green friend

Years ago a friend sent me this little green guy and I loved him very much. Each time I hit 'play' he would make me smile...and then I lost him! I googled and googled but couldn't come up with him. But today a friend sent him again and the minute I saw "You got a friend in me" I just knew it was my little green guy in my inbox again! I hope you enjoy him as much as I do.

Gerry Hanson sent this picture of her families snowy driveway in case any of us had a hankering to see snow.
Some of us have been here long enough to forget but not many!!

Oriole

This was taken at Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park a couple of years ago. I was going through some pictures looking for some I have misplaced and came across this one.

Corn Salad Recipe

I have had requests for this recipe. I decided to take this one to the Christmas dinner because it was such a hit with my kids last summer.

Recipe: CORN SALAD 12/26/2006 Category: Side dish
3 cans Mexicorn (whole kernel corn with red & green bell peppers), drained
8 oz dairy sour cream
8 oz small curd cottage cheese
3 tbsp prepared mustard
Dash hot pepper sauce(optional)
3 green onions, sliced
large bag Fritos corn chips (regular curly size, NOT Scoops ; probably 6 or 7 oz bag)

Pour the corn into a large serving bowl. In a medium bowl, combine dairy sour cream, cottage cheese, mustard and hot pepper sauce. Pour over corn in large bowl and add green onion slices. Stir to blend well. Just before serving, crush Fritos and add to salad, stirring to combine. Makes a lot! ________________

Wisconsin Winter

Gerry Hanson provided this picture of her Wisconsin grandkids making a snowman with Wisconsin snow.

Weird weather

Yesterday was warm,humid,rainy and dark. Low scudding clouds that dumped inches of rain at a time were a common occurence throughout the day. I tried to get a walk in but carrying the umbrella and trying to stay dry was a tricky combination so I gave it up. As I was walking back home I thought "This feels and looks like tornado weather in the midwest summertime" and sure enough the tv blasted reports of possible tornadoes. I do not believe there were any but the conditions were ripe for them. Later in the day the cold front finally made it and the temperature dropped like a rock. There was a 20 degree difference from one end of the valley to the other in a matter of minutes. From 72 to 52 degrees.
It was two years ago that the valley enjoyed an unprecedented snowstorm and it is fondly remembered by the locals. Last year, I remember, Christmas day we took a dip in the pool and played shuffleboard in the afternoon. This time of year can bring a wide fluctuation in weather. Later it will go to warm and then followed by hot.
Today is a cool one with the current temp at 51 and probably not a lot of change from that for a day or two. It will allow everyone to wear their Christmas sweaters without breaking a sweat and to curl up with a good book while we enjoy our version of winter weather and contemplate our memories of Christmas past.
Merry Christmas, Ya'all!!!
Till next time...
Barb B

Click on this page to find all the Christmas Parade shots

More great parade pics tomorrow....so be sure to check in.

Grand Marshalls of our 2006 Christmas Parade in no particular order...Eva & Floyd Foote. Floyd says,"Don't muss up my hair."

Grand marshalls -Dick and Anita Nelson

Grand marshalls Berwyn and Erma Cleaveland

Grand Marshalls Harold & Esther Shelden

The altar in the Basilica

Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine
Sister Emma asked that we tell Winter Texans that everyone is welcome at the Basilica, Catholics and Non-Catholics alike. Also that tours are available by going to Sister Emma's office inside the main door and to your left. She will be most happy to tell you about the points of interest and the history of the Basilica.

Gerry and Bob on Pecos street were able to enjoy their hibiscus bloom yesterday and I was lucky enough to get this picture of it.

These snow people keep watch at the Chet and Irma Johnson residence on Rose street.

Get Ready!!

The Christmas parade will take place in Magnolia Park on Thursday December 21st at 5:00 pm. Sign up sheet for entries is in Allen Hall on the bulletin board. Lois Terryn is in charge of the parade so she can field any questions you may have. Line up by the Blue Hall in the order that you sgned up. This grand parade will be followed by a free meal in Allen Hall for all association members. If you have forgotten to do so,you may pay your $2.00 dues to Arleen Beach at any time. The benefits far outweigh the fee.;-)

Beauty is where you find it! This is a delicate natural arrangement that I came across on Cherry street.

H.E.B. grocery store puts on a free meal for all each year at this time. It is called the feast of sharing. They are very proficient in getting people fed in a timely manner. The menu this year was ham, mashed potatoes and gravy,mixed veggies, apple pie and your choice of drink.

Mr. and Mrs. Buttons greeted folks as they came in the door

Butch pushed his button.

Go ahead! Push this guys button and he does a dance for you to a very snappy tune. It can't help but make you smile. You will find him on Peach street in front of the Stilson's place.

Manager Nita is now recuperating at home.

Manager Nita

Manager Nita Shay is in Knapp Medical Center following a car accident on the expressway the day before yesterday. She is on the road to recovery but suffering from neck, shoulder and upper back pain. She tangled with a big red truck or rather the truck tangled with her as he was in the wrong. We all wish her a speedy recovery.

Air Stagnation

This is what our friends in Arizona are dealing with today.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THURSDAY. A VERY STABLE ATMOSPHERE COMBINED WITH LIGHT WINDS... WILL LEAD TO STAGNANT AIR CONDITIONS OVER THE VALLEYS OF SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL ARIZONA. THIS INCLUDES THE GREATER PHOENIX METROPOLITAN AREA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES...AND THE YUMA AREA.

THE STAGNANT AIR CONDITIONS COULD PERSIST INTO FRIDAY MORNING ...HOWEVER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE FRIDAY AFTERNOON AS WINDS GRADUALLY INCREASE AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM.

Tuesday Morning Coffee

The folks at the Tuesday Morning Coffee are increasing in number. This is where we learn about activities in the park as well as other things of interest throughout the valley.

  

Peach Street

Peach street in Magnolia Park
 





Christmas Program at the Weslaco Museum
  

Directions for the card game "Rats" Played in the Blue Hall on a regular basis. Deal 3 Cards
Always draw 2 discard 1
Working for sets or runs, sets must be in the same suit.
Can draw from others discards but not your own.
Play 5 hands.
Scoring:
Ace is 20 points
Face cards are 10 points
Face value for all others

Have you seen this guy?

  

Waiting for Warm

  

Winter in South Texas- 47 degrees and rain pushed by a north wind. Yup, this is considered the worst of it. If it gets colder than this it would be considered extreme conditions. December is traditionally the coolest month in sunny south Texas so we grit our teeth for a while knowing warmth and sun are not far away.

Senior Quiz

"Test for Dementia"

"It's that time of year to take our annual senior citizen test."

Exercise of the brain is as important as exercise of the muscles. As we grow older, it's important to keep mentally alert. If you don't use it, you lose it! Below is a very private way to gauge your loss or non-loss of intelligence.


Take the test presented here to determine if you're losing it or not. The spaces below are so you don't see the answers until you've made your answer.

OK, relax clear your mind and begin.

1. What do you put in a toaster?

Answer: "bread." If you said "toast," give up now and do something else. Try not to hurt yourself. If you said, bread, go to Question 2.

2. Say "silk" five times. Now spell "silk." What do cows drink?


Answer: Cows drink water. If you said "milk," don't attempt the next question. Your brain is over-stressed and may even overheat. Content yourself with reading a more appropriate literature such as Auto World. However, if you said "water", proceed to question 3.

3. If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue house is made from blue bricks and a pink house is made from pink bricks and a black house is made from black bricks, what is a green house made from?

Answer: Greenhouses are made from glass. If you said "green bricks," why are you still reading these??? If you said "glass," go on to Question 4.

4. It's twenty years ago, and a plane is flying at 20,000 feet over Germany (If you will recall, Germany at the time was politically divided into West Germany and East Germany.) Anyway, during the flight, TWO engines fail. The pilot, realizing that the last remaining engine is also failing, decides on a crash landing procedure. Unfortunately the engine fails before he can do so and the plane fatally crashes smack in the middle of "no man's land" between East Germany and West Germany. Where would you bury the survivors? East Germany, West Germany, or no man's land?

Answer: You don't bury survivors. If you said ANYTHING else, you're a dunce and you must stop. If you said, "You don't bury survivors", proceed to the next question.

5. Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales. In London, 17 people get on the bus; In Reading, 6 people get off the bus and 9 people get on. In Swindon, 2 people get off and 4 get on. In Cardiff, 11 people get off and 16 people get on. In Swansea, 3 people get off and 5 people get on. In Carmarthen 6 people get off and 3 get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven. What was the name of the bus driver?


Answer: Oh, for crying out loud!
Don't you remember your own name? It was YOU!!


Now pass this along to all your friends and pray they do better than you. And if you do not know how to do that we should see you at the computer discussion on Friday mornings in the little hall.
PS: 95% of people fail most of the questions

This picture was taken a week ago last Tuesday during Magnolia Parks' golf outing at the Executive course. Since then we have had a cold spell and not many people have been seen in shorts. Pictured are Gerry and Cheryl

Taken in downtown Weslaco during the Christmas Parade.

News to Pass Along

I received this E-Mail a day or two ago and thought I might pass it along for some others to read.
Hello Magnolia Park, just a line to tell you how much I enjoy seeing all the familiar faces, and enjoy reading all the news. Sad tonight as a friend in Wis. just told me that Dick Harkins passed away, sure wish I had known. For all of you who knew Paul Wolf, thought I'd let you know he passed away last week. He has not been well or himself since Shirley died 3 years ago. Bye for now and keep the news coming..
P. S. Clarence is fine just had his 87 B-Day still going strong, works Bingo once a week, tends bar once a week, is Adjutant & Finance officer for the American Legion and yes he loves it. We got rid of our mobile home and put in a Modular, 3 bedroom,2 bath, 60 Ft. Big Big Big. We love it. Bye again
Dorothy Witchell E-Mail dmwitchell@hotmail.com

We went to the Weslaco Christmas Parade for the first time this year and we noticed something startling...NO TRACTORS!! It is hard to imagine a parade without tractors. They had many,many of the fancy low rider cars that do fancy footwork with hydraulics though. Different part of the country for sure.

Ladies Pool League Starting the Season

You can sure tell the season is starting as the Ladies started the Pool League today.. All the teams came and all had fun competing and visiting about the summer happenings. They all got to see the Pool Hall after all the work was done painting and cleaning. It sure looks nice and bright now. It will sure get a lot of use this winter with all the pool players and cards that will be played.. It has been rearranged late last spring and gives everyone more room it seems now... Also new shades were put up to keep the sun from shining in and blinding people during the day (helps protect the tables and chairs also)...When you folks that are still up NORTH do come down you need to stop in the Pool Hall right away and see the change..

Char and Carol waiting their turn to play..

Some of the Ladies Pool Teams.

The Hall's nice and bright now..

Butch and his $4.00 haircut and yes, he did request it that short.

Mexican Fisherman

Rio Grande River

The Mexican Border- They are being more careful at the border checking ID's and asking questions thus it is taking longer to come back to the USA no matter if you drive or on foot.

Shufflers

Shufflers Ed, Bonnie and Esther.

  

Water Feature

A water feature at Jim & Kay's.