75 Years together!!

We had a wonderful party for our anniversary couples on Saturday afternoon. The Sheldon's were celebrating 75 years, the Foote's and Cleveland's have been married for 73 years! What a blessing to have each other for so many years!

Harold and Esther Sheldon, married 75 years!!!

Sunday at Magnolia

We had a great service today at Magnolia with a good number of worshipers attending....As always there were several from out of the park as well to listen to Pastor Stacey give the sermon and lesson....The theme today was "God asks us what we want" we need to stand and not be afraid to tell him our wants and needs and follow what he asks us to do...This was a great lesson with much to study and meditate on...We all need to get into the Bible and study more than we do for it teaches us the paths to follow...Continue to pray for one another and help some one in need when you can...

Anniversary couples

Floyd and Eva Foote, Harold and Esther Shelden, Berwyn and Erma Cleaveland have all been married more than 70 years. And they are all still going strong.

From Drop Box

Photographer-Judy Lowary

March is when

People are starting the reverse flow heading north and most often the temps here are getting plenty warm bringing about thoughts of spring and summer. Of course they usually run into reality on the Missouri border and become aware that Spring and Summer are back where they came from and not yet where they are going. This year is different. It may be the year you should reassess your schedule and perhaps hang around awhile longer. The propane man has been able to feed his children well this winter. I would like to not see him for awhile. Wouldn't it be great to have a month of not running the furnace or the air conditioner? Perhaps March will be that way for us. The 10 day outlook is nearly ideal and we can have a little dream of nearly ideal. Here's hoping!!

February Steak Fry

Inside we patiently await the word that the steaks are ready

Clean up volunteers Marty Harper and Rae Turner are holding the bag.

The outdoor crew is out there working like a well oiled machine getting those steaks cooked in a very short time.

Pioneer & Ranching craft day

Six of us took a van from the park to the Museum in Edinburg on Feb. 20th. We had a great time watching quilters, spinners, flint-knappers, live animals (creepy). There was a variety of food and singers. Inside the museum was very interesting also. They have many rooms of South Texas history; go visit the museum if you get a chance!

the gals are turning butter

This fellow is making a knife

This fellow started a fire in cedar shavings

Is Edy picking out a new pet?

Not for 130 years...

has the weather been like this in the Rio Grande Valley. I sure hope the people who are experiencing South Texas for the first time will give it another chance. Today the sun is shining as I write this. I have hopes it will stay for the rest of the day. And the 10 day forecast looks pretty decent. There is hope.
We have a busy week approaching in Magnolia Park. The steak fry is on Thursday. Election next Monday and the monthly garage sale coming up on March 6th. Sunday March 7th is the annual Show and Tell day followed by the Ropa Style and Talent show. I will do my best to get an abundance of pictures.

The furnace just kicked on ...What a bite!!

The Pool

The pool has been refurbished and appears ready for use. Now if the weather would just cooperate!!

Magnolia Mardi Gras Parade

Make a Smilebox photo slideshow

Mardi Gras Dance

Photographer: Ambrose and/or Lili Demers

Make a Smilebox photo collage

Saturday Morning Breakfast

Today is omelet day at the breakfast hall. Of course you can also have biscuits and sausage gravy and/or pancakes and  sausage. Last time we had omelets Leslie and I put together over 70 of them and I suspect it will be about the same this morning. 

Fiery Salsa

We are in fiery salsa country so thought you might enjoy this fiery salsa recipe.

Fiery Salsa

 

2 large onions, thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

1 teaspoon chopped canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

2 teaspoons adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers)

1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons lime juice

 

Saute onion and garlic in hot oil in a large saucepan over medium-high

heat 5 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes and next 3 ingredients.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, 10 minutes,

stirring occasionally.

 

Process 1 cup tomato mixture in blender until smooth, stopping to scrape

down sides; return to saucepan.

 

Stir in corn and salt; cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir

in cilantro and lime juice. Serve with blue corn chips. Flavor increases

when chilled at least eight hours. Yield:  Makes 3 cups.

 

 

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool received its final preparation and they are beginning to fill it. Mother nature is lending a hand with rain soft water. So before long we will be able to use it...that is if it warms up! The 10 day forecast looks a bit better with some temps in the 70's and only 1 day showing the little cloud with the raindrops coming out of it. We are all ready for that!! We can wear shorts! We can have the windows open for those soft tropical breezes! We can sit on the patio with a soft tropical drink. We can leave the jackets, coats and scarves in the closet!

Pickles

You will most likely have to click on this to read it. Pickles is a hoot!

ID Theft Prevention Tips for RVers...and others too

ID Theft Prevention Tips for RVers Shred any documents, mail or bills that you no longer need which contain any personal information. Limit the amount of personal information you carry with you. Take only those cards and documents that are necessary. Do not carry your social security card with you unless it's absolutely necessary. Memorize your number. Photocopy your passport and both sides of cards you carry in your wallet (e.g., credit cards, driver's license, Medicare and insurance cards). Keep these photocopies in a safe place in your rig and in your home (or with a trusted family member if you are a full-timer) along with a list of the toll-free numbers to call for each in case they are lost or stolen. Report lost or stolen credit or debit cards as soon as you realize they are missing. Write "See Photo ID" on the back of your credit cards instead of signing them. Don't write your phone number on a check. If requested to provide a number, use your cell phone number. Use a P.O. Box or mailing service, such as EarthClass Mail to have your mail held or forwarded, if you are on the road for long periods of time. Never put your entire account number on checks when making a payment. Instead use just the last four digits. Mail all bills/checks from the post office or a U.S mailbox. Don't use obvious passwords like your mother's maiden name, your birth date or last four digits of your social security number. Don't give out personal information on the phone, Internet or mail unless you are absolutely sure you know who you are dealing with (beware of scammers!). Before entering personal information on a site, always make sure it is secure. Use firewalls and up-to-date antivirus software and anti-spyware to protect your computer. Request your free credit reports each year. Review your financial accounts and billing statements on a regular basis. Consider signing up with a company  whose mission is to keep your identity safe. If you do suspect you may be a victim of identity theft, place a "fraud alert" on your credit reports and review the reports carefully, close any of your accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently and file a report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime. You should also report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Identity theft is on the rise, but by playing it smart, you can better prevent it from happening to you. As you set out on your next RV adventure, don't forget to take precautions to keep your identity safe. It's well worth it when you consider the alternatives. *Source: www.ftc.gov/idtheft

Circle of Love

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Special Day

Today was a special day at Magnolia for it's VALENTINE'S DAY...As always on Sunday there was a great service with many VALENTINES attending...The congregation always looks great and smiling...The theme of today's sermon was "GOD'S always encouraging us"...The lesson today was a teaching and reminding of just how GOD is leading us and giving us strength when we need it and ask for it....Just remember to continue to pray for one another for the LORD listens to the prayers of his children....

Amazing

This is from Bill & Jo Brooker's youngest son Mark who lives in Houston.

"I've been surprised by how many people Ive talked to that know where Magnolia Park is. I have some friends my age that grew up right next to the Park. They told me that they used to get in trouble for playing "hop scotch" on the shuffle board courts."

Sent from my iPhone

Mark

It amazes me as well. It also amazes me the number of people who keep track of us old fogies through this blog.

Keep checking in!!

Max Weeks

Max Weeks passed away this afternoon (Sat. Feb 13th)  He is now at peace.  Edna/Jerry Walker

Shuffleboard Olympic Players

Our shuffleboard participants in the Valley Senior Olympics are Mary Bruun, Helen Alt, Vern Wendt and Delbert Wiese. As you can tell the weather was a bit wintry that day.

Mary B

Vern W

Helen A

 Delbert W

Photographer: Dorothy Wendt

Chips off the old Pool

 All of the chipped off coating is in the bottom of the pool. Today they are moving it one wheelbarrow full at a time out of the pool onto a flatbed trailer.

Word has it

I was told this morning that Allene Fawcett is undergoing exploratory surgery.

Pool Work

Repair work has started on the swimming pool. No one will miss it much since it is very cool with very little sunshine. They are removing the innermost lining of the pool and I assume resurfacing it. They tell us it will be finished in two weeks time. So far they have been at it 3 days chipping off the old lining. I must say they do put in a full days work. These pool repair guys are not slackers.
I will get a picture of it today when it is light out. Still dark at 6:33 AM.

You are owed

I owe you a post or two. Our winter has been very different this year in sunny (yeah right!) south Texas. And my routine has been very different as well. I usually walk around with my camera glued to me so I can get new pictures posted here on a regular basis. I am very grateful to Kay Voss for picking up the reins on that score. I enjoy the tour pictures she has posted just as much as the rest of you. And I hope to get back to my camera very soon.
This week is the valley senior Olympics and Magnolia park has many participants taking part. We hosted the Euchre tournament this year and with the many highly organized volunteers we have I am confident it went off without a hitch.
The in-park pool tournament on Thursday nights is fun and brings out both players and spectators. Play starts at 6:00 PM in case you are looking for some indoor activity. And of course it seems there is some kind of cards being played in every nook and cranny of this park every evening and most afternoons. Everybody is welcome.
My computer went belly up this past Sunday. I knew it was headed that way for quite some time so I was somewhat prepared. I had most things backed up on an external hard drive but still it was a shock and it is a big deal getting everything I need and want back in full working order. I didn't lose the directory. I had that backed up in several places. Time consuming job none the less.
Till next time...
Barb

New kind of parrot

Gary Hearl and Linda Smith spotted this parrot yesterday. It is a bit hard to see but it is larger than the other parrots and its head feathers are all yellow.

Knee Deep

Sometimes I have to really stop and think to find something to post and sometimes it is easy. Right now I have a backload of things to put on here. I backed up all of my computer stuff to an external hard drive right after I finished the directory. Sunday my computer died. It simply went black and when I turned it on again it gave me about 4 minutes and then went black again. It did this several times and I finally gave up trying to resuscitate my little 6 year old friend. So now I am setting up a new computer. For kicks and giggles I am keeping track of the hours it takes to do that. So when I have it set up I will get to the backlog of things to put on including pictures of a different kind of parrot here in the park and more snow pictures from up north.
Till then...
Barb

From Jerry and Edna Walker

We arrived back in the Valley this evening.  It was so hard to leave Max.   The first few days we visited he was quite groggy and sleepy, but the last two days he was more like the Max we all know, had a witty answer for everything.  He is taking in fluids and eating a little each day, but does not get up at all.  It made it easier to leave knowing he is getting the very best care he could he could ever have at the Hospice House.  He has many visitors and his loving family visits often.  Ramona is at his bedside daily.  She does go home of an evening so she can get rest.  She has to take care of herself also.  Max loves his mail and phone calls and Ramona enjoys them equally well.  The address is:
608 S Maple, Creston, IA 50841  
Cell Ph. 641 344 5483   They have numerous friends here in the Valley and they have heard from many of them.
Jerry and Edna Walker

Sunday again at Magnolia

This morning was special at Church at Magnolia...The sermon was great with the theme of"Resist temptation for we are all Sinners"...There was a good crowd for the lesson...At the end of the service. Communion was given, as is the custom for the first Sunday of the month...It's always refreshing for the soul to have Communion...At least it is for me....After service and Communion, breakfast was served to all that wished to stay and partake...The fellowship is always great ....Many thanks to all that participated and to those that prepared the food....

Farm Tour

Hello!

Friday 12 of us from the park went on a farm tour. I have posted a few pictures for you. Most of the crops were still being planted or the fields were too muddy for the big bus to get to. We went to a "greenhouse farm", very interesting and the best part was that I got 2 boxes (100 pounds) of big tomatoes!! I will be canning tomato soup as soon as they are fully ripe.

We also went to a boot factory. It was interesting also, but sad to see the young kids working there. We were taken to a back street to look at cock fighting roosters. There were many roosters and a few hens with chicks in pens. The owner said he sells the roosters for $200 each....they put razor sharp knives on the legs and turn them loose in a round covered pen, like a small grain bin. We did not see them fight, a relief to some.....

Our guide was very informative and we learned alot from him. We all had a good time. Kay

We went to a greenhouse--here the workers are boxing the green tomatoes for sale.

grass green tomatoes being sorted

Stacks of various leathers and boot forms

More kids sewing the boots. This was in a second floor room, very smelly from chemicals and paints.

These kids were cutting the pull on tabs for the boots. They claimed to be 15 years old.

We could walk thru the working area, they have many young skilled workers there.