Thanksgiving Day at Magnolia Park

Dorral Guzman is once again head cook for the Thanksgiving meal and once again it was superbly delicious. Freshly roasted turkey is always the best. Dorral and a couple of her assistants Marty Harper

                                               Dorral and Marty

                                              and Kathy Ferrell

                                              Jan Brom put her expert hand on the decorations pictured below

A great crowd gathered with many helping hands and if I am any example most of us overate.

We gather together with our Magnolia Family and we are so very Thankful that we can enjoy each other on this special day.

We were also rewarded with near perfect weather with sunshine and highs in the 70's.

Now if I could just find the alka seltzer...

Yesterday in Magnolia Park

Two hardy golfers ventured to the course to play and they were the only ones who did because they closed the course after they started. Not because it was too cold, although it was but because it was too wet.
Here are Jim Rader and Butch Brooker as they left the park.

Many of the people who stayed in the park attended the lunch and musical Jam held in Allen Hall every Tuesday.

Anita Nelson and Kay Stilson sell 50/50 tickets

Elaine and Leroy Misfeldt and Susan and Myron Van Houweling serve Chili and loaded potatoes.

                                                  Jammers tuning up

Eugene, Tuffy and Larry being entertained

 The only thing bobbing in the pool today was a rubber ducky

We just thought we would drop you a note to say that 48 degrees (which is what it shows is the temp right now down there) seems mighty warm to us. I just looked at our thermometer and it is 11 degrees here right now. Just a bit ago it was 12 and there is a brisk wind right out of the north. We had a dusting of snow this morning so enjoy what you have. It could be worse!! We hope to see you soon.
Jim & Deon

Tuffy and Char's 25th anniversary

Tuffy and Char celebrated their 25th anniversary in their favorite place in Magnolia Park-the Blue Hall- A bit of cake and ice cream and then back to the next shot. Congratulations!!!

Still hunkered

Cold still has us in its grasp and folks are beginning to get cabin fever. It does not take as long for us ya'all people to get it because we come here to get away from it. The weather man is saying it should be nice again by Friday. In the meantime all activities are taking place so we put on our upnorth coats and scurry as fast as we can to the gathering place of choice.

Church Service at Magnolia

This has certianly been a cool day in deep South Texas, but it was warm in Church service this morning with Pastor Stacey bringing a message to warm our souls...Even with the cold weather we had a nice crowd with a few more of the family coming in for the season...It's good to see and talk to them again...

The message this morning was a continuation of the study of the Book of John, Chapter 1 ,  with the theme of "What is Jesus to You?"...This is a study of how John the Baptist was asked by many people who he was and if he was the Messiah or one of the Prophets....He never failed to answer them that he was not, but he was the one calling in the wilderness, "Make straight the way for the Lord."   This is a great study for us and an example of how we should act what we are asked about our faith..

Remember to continue to pray for all that are sick and for those on the road....May all have a happy Thanks Giving for we are all blessed in so many ways...Give much Thanks to the Lord for all the Blessings....See you in Church next week.....God Bless All......

Bubble wrap on RV windows

For those of you trying to cozy up your RV home during this cold spell, the bubble wrap idea I referred to in an earlier post works quite well. Another benefit I forgot to mention last time is a lack of condensation. One reader asked how I attached it to the windows and my answer is with a small amount of packing tape. It is also held in place quite well with the day/night shades pulled down over top of the bubble wrap.
Wal-Mart has bubble wrap for $5.00 and if you do not want to go that far or have Wal-Martphobia Walgreens has it for $5.99. I imagine H.E.B. also has it.

Papaya Tree

Jerry Burton a former resident of magnolia sent these pictures of a papaya tree that grows in his park.
Jerry says:
"These trees were 4 feet tall in March 2013 and now has fruit and lots of it."

Papaya is a mighty tasty tropical fruit and apparently quite easy to grow in these parts of Texas.
This is a fruit that might be like zucchini in that you will want to share with your neighbors.

Last Monday's craft gathering

We worked on angel table decorations made from a lamp shade, light bulb, ribbons and beads. They will be on the tables after Thanksgiving and I will get more pictures then. It is a bit difficult to not have the holidays bump into each other...especially this year with Thanksgiving being so near the end of November.

And here is a surprise for a few folks because they thought I was unable to get the picture. Wrong!!

Jim and Kay Voss were visiting with Vern and Dorothy Wendt. This scenario is frequent around here as long as the weather holds. It gets a bit nippy and we all head for cover!

Talked to Cleavelands

I talked to Leslie yesterday and they sure wish they could be here. Dick is doing well after his hip replacement surgery. He threw away his walker yesterday and graduated to a cane. He will start therapy before too long. They are still unsure exactly when they will be able to come down. It depends on too many factors at this time to say but they do want to be here just as bad as we want them here. So hopefully it will all work out.

Busyness going on despite heat and humidity

It seems as though the activities are in full force already. It seems a little early for that to be happening but the park is filling up nicely. It seems so strange to me that some years we think people are never going to get here and then this year it isn't that way at all. Cards are being played in all the usual places, shuffleboard is being played, crafts are in full speed and plenty of pool is being played in the blue hall. Butch and Barb can be seen walking around the park twice a day. Peggy G. is spotted regularly doing her rounds on her bike. The pool bobble heads are in the pool bobbling up and down.
We are having a good time here in the Rio Grande Valley so stop whatever you are doing up north and get down here ASAP.
See ya'all real soon!

Computer Malware Trickery and Deceit

This is a lengthy article about how even a savvy computer user can get bamboozled and what to do about it.
I hope you decide to read it and perhaps save you and me a few headaches and heartaches.
Barb
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/new/heres-how-you-get-malware-via-trickery-and-deceit/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thundercloud%2FIapJ+%28Cloudeight+InfoAve+Computer+Tips+%29

Joke of the week

A pirate walked into a bar, and the bartender noticed that he had a peg leg, a hook and an eye patch.

"How did you end up with the peg leg?" asked the bartender. The pirate said, "We were in a fearful storm at sea and I was swept overboard into a school of sharks. Just as my men were pulling me out, this huge shark bit off my leg." "Wow!" said the bartender. 

"What about your hook? How did you get that?" The pirate replied, "We were boarding an enemy ship and fighting with swords. One of the enemy cut off my hand." "Amazing!" said the bartender. 

"So how did you get the eye patch?" The pirate said, "A seagull dropping fell into my eye." "You lost your eye to a seagull dropping?" asked the bartender incredulously. "Well," said the pirate, "it was my first day with the hook.

Dick Cleaveland is fine.

Dick is home now after his hip replacement surgery. Hopefully we will be seeing him and Leslie before too long.

Something about Bea Gilbertson

I asked Keith about his Mom and some things we may not know. She had been coming to Magnolia since 1980. She and her husband came at the suggestion of friends and purchased a place in the Spring with the intention of coming down for the next season which they did. Keith said he and his siblings always knew they were very loved and their parents knew they loved them back. He said they always got along well with each other and there was not a black sheep among them. He knows this is very unusual and feels very blessed to have such a family.
Bea did not work outside the home when her children were young but later she worked as a bookkeeper for a fruit company.
Bea will be missed by her Magnolia family.

Herb Jones Obituary

HERBERT R. JONES  on 11/08 Herbert R. Jones, 89, passed away October 31st, 2013, in Canton, MI. Herb was born October 19, 1924, in Gardner, ND. He is survived by Patty, his wife of 54 years, daughter Sandi and her husband Jeff Jones of Kennedale, TX, and son Bob and wife Jill, and grandchildren Jared, Adam, and Kacey Jones of Canton, MI. Herb was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all. A memorial in his honor was held in Canton, MI on Nov. 2nd. For those that so desire, the family suggests donations in Herb's memory be made to First United Methodist Church, 228 S. Main St., Donna, TX 78537. 

Bea Gilbertson -Obituary

Gilbertson, Bernice age 94, formerly of Amery, WI, passed away on 9/16/13. Preceded in death by husband, Norman; son, Dennis; and sister, Louise Lentz. Survived by children, Keith, Norris (Debbie) and Lori (Ed) Sundstrom; daughter- in-law, Penny; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Lila Ward; and brother, Otis (Dottie) Erickson. Memorials preferred to Guardian Angels Hospice. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorial service Friday 9/20 at 11 AM with visitation one hour prior at: www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100 - 


Bea Gilbertson passed away on September 16th, 2013.

 Keith Gilbertson 

3707 E US HWY 83 Lot#238

Donna Texas 78537

First Tenderloin of the Season

The Gordon's have a tradition of going to Riverside over in Mission every Sunday after church for a tenderloin. Pork tenderloins are rare in the RGV and good ones are even more rare. All of us having Iowa roots know what it takes to make a good loin sandwich.
So yesterday six of us went to the Riverside for our first tenderloin of the season.
And here are 4 of us!

                                           Donn & Peggy                      Kay & Bill

And here are some Mexican egrets. How do I know they are Mexican egrets? Because they are on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande river!

Sunday at Magnolia

This was a great day just to be alive....This weather this time of year couldn't be better...We just need to enjoy it while it's here....

A few more of the Magnolia Family has come in and we're glad to see them come in safe and sound....Pastor Stacey brought the message today starting with the Book of Colossians, Chapter 3, verse 1 with the theme of "Real Heaven and a Real Hell"....Pastor used several other verses in his message to explain that Jesus taught his disciples that the realities of Heaven are real and that when we accept Christ as our Savior we will share in all his glory in Heaven.....This was a great message that shows we must not let the things of this earth get a hold of us and keep us from our true way of serving the Lord....When you get time try to study the lesson.....Some how it always helps to read the word for my self to grasp and keep the message....Please pray for all that are sick and for these on the road....See you in Church next week....God Bless All.....

Some people updates

Erma Cleaveland is unhappy with being bedridden and for anyone who knows her this should not be surprising. We hope her two bone fractures, one in shoulder and one in her leg, will heal quickly so she can get back to the busy active life she is used to enjoying.

Dick Cleaveland is having hip replacement surgery next week and we all wish him a quick recovery as well. I spotted this cartoon and sent it to him so he can discuss it with his surgeon. I know Dick will want to make sure he gets the right part.

Eula has been in touch with Kitti Toomire and  says she is doing well. Kitti also has two areas of injuries to get healed up, her neck and her ankle. It seems her neck is giving her the most discomfort at this time. Her spirits are good and she is looking forward to getting back on her feet in all aspects. And we all wish her the best too. Kitti's daughter, Susie has been able to stay with her and help her get situated so she can handle things on her own as soon as possible..

Here we go again...

The season has begun and several people are expected to arrive this week. Last night  we heard a toot of an air horn on an RV. The gate had just been closed as it was 4:02 PM. Don and Marty Harper had arrived and were wanting in the gate. Someone came to their rescue and opened the gate for them. A phone call to someone who is here already might be a good idea if you are calling it close on time. When more people are here to help monitor security the gate will be open but until then it will close at 4:00 PM. And those coming by car will have to use the back gate. Do you remember the code? I had to pull it from the dark recesses of my mind. I was so proud of myself that I was able to do so.
I do not know how much rain we received last night but it seemed it was raining most of the night. It has been a very long time since we have experienced it rain for that long. A nice rain cleans the air and the streets so now we are all cleaned up for our new arrivals.
I do not know how much we received but perhaps someone will email me with that info.

First Tuesday Coffee Hour of November

Some might say it is a small number but it was nice to see all the familiar faces enjoying coffee and donuts and I thought it was a good size crowd for the number of folks we have in the park.
After coffee hour Butch and Jim Rader went golfing and I went for my first walk of the day. It is hot and humid now but the forecast for Thursday will have us shivering with a high of 66 degrees. I was glad I had not waited any longer before my walk. I snapped this shot of new arrivals Edy and Jon Larson. Getting settled in is always a chore and they were just beginning.

Chet Johnson had stopped to welcome them home.

This shot is from last Saturday when a garage sale was taking place throughout the park.

Sandy Williams and Edna Nelson were fighting the wind to keep the clothes racks in an upright position

The palm tree by Van Houwelings is bearing fruit. Yes-sirree we are in a tropical area! But may not feel like it come Thursday. Van Houwelings arrived yesterday.

This next week will see a bunch of new arrivals.

Start of New Season at Magnolia

Well it's the start of the new season at Magnolia...It seems like it's been a long summer, but I'm sure the coming season will seem short for many....The time seems to fly by the older we get...I don't know if that's good or bad, but nothing we can do about it any way....We just need to enjoy every minute that we do have....

We had Services in Allen Hall today....We had a smaller group but as more come in it will grow.....Pastor Stacey brought the message today from the Book of John, Chapter 14, starting with verse 1 with the theme of "Jesus , the Way to the Father".....This was a great message that tells of where Jesus is preparing a place for those of us who accept him as Lord and Savior will go....He even says that he will come and get us and lead the way.....Try to study this lesson for yourself to learn what Jesus has to say for and to us...At the end of the service , communion was served as it was the first of the month...This was a great service to start the season with....Please pray for those that are on the road and any sick that you hear of.....See you in Church next week...God Bless All...

For the Woodcarvers among you...

In the park

Even though I am no longer required to be here by November one I left it up to the mister to say when we would head south and also when we would come further south to the Rio Grande Valley. Either he is a creature of habit and cannot change his ways or he just feels like it is time to be here. I do enjoy November in the valley even though it can be a bit too warm at times. The pace is slower, the traffic is lighter and the stores a bit emptier...depending on the time of day.
And as we walk around the park we ponder the ones who have passed in the past couple of years but then we also remember the ones still with us and look forward to when they will be back. It reminds me a bit of what they do at the end of the TV show Survivor, where they mention each participant and talk about their qualities. We sort of do the same thing on our first walk back as we pass the homes and spaces that past and present people have occupied or will be occupying. A time to remember and then look forward to more good times with good friends.
Hurry on down,Ya'all

RGV info

For those traveling down 281 to get to the valley be aware that the construction in the Falfurious TX area is still on the extreme side and it seems to go on forever. I cannot imagine going through that area after dark with an RV.
 We noticed that they are now calling Expressway 83- Interstate 2 and they are calling Hwy 77- Interstate 69 and it is officially said on the news in that way.
I thought I would give you bits of info as it comes back to me.

Herb Jones Memorials

It has been requested that memorials for Herb Jones go to the
First United Methodist Church
228 S Main St
Donna TX 78537

And if you would like to send a card of condolence to Pat the address is
Pat Jones
1779 Steeplechase Lane
Canton MI 48188