Jacaranda tree

These beautiful and graceful trees are now in full bloom.  We found these trees by the city offices in Weslaco.

Storm

We went with Larry and Linda Kraft to look at Big Valley Park last evening.  I think they had more structure damage than our park.  They lost many car ports and free standing motor home ports.  They have metal hanging from the power lines, and metal roof pieces everywhere.  Some 2nd roofs were torn off or peeled back and tossed to the neighbors.  Siding and porches ripped.  We were very fortunate here.  Our problems are mainly due to old and hollow trees.  We do have a mess to clean up, but everyone is ok and that is the main thing.

The weatherman said we had 65 to 75 straight line winds.  We did not realize it would be so serious or we would have gone to the brick hall!  It came so fast, no one could go.  We were watching as the tree behind us fell, also Harper's rental next to us had a door pop open and flap like crazy!  Now that it is all over, it was funny--but it wasn't at the time.  Our street (Lime) was blocked to traffic by fallen trees until Jim pulled them to the side.  Since there is only one employee to clean the park of debris, the piles may be around for awhile.  Mrs Yoder is back from her Manager Meeting; it will be interesting to hear her plans for us.

Lets hope this is all the excitement we have for awhile.....Kay

More storm pics from Kay V.

Mel and Virginia's rental

View south on Cherry street

 Gail and Elmer's

 Ron and Chris front yard

 Doris Nelson awning.

Big Storm hits Magnolia Park

Linda Kraft sent me pictures of the windstorm they had in Magnolia Park last night near midnight. I will try to tell you where I think they are located but if I am wrong let me know and if there is not a description it is because I could not figure it out so please advise me. Note: Between Butch and I we have them identified...I think.
This tree is at the NE corner of Magnolia and center street. The back end of Stilson's trailer is in the picture.

 This is Bob and Kim's place and it looks like that branch could give way any minute and crash into their little lavender bungalo.

 Myron and Susan Van Houweling's place-lost their palm tree.

 Lime street looking north.

 Closer look on Lime

 NW corner of Magnolia and Pecos street

 Dorral's cactus suffered an injury.

 Doris Nelson's awning is toast.

 Doris N. place

 Dohlman's on East Pecos street.

 North of Stilson's on Peach St.

 Between Bob Stavrums and the former Big Ed's place. Park now owns this one and the awning is gone.

 Back side of Stilson's-Kay's clothesline looks good.

 I think this tree was marked for demo anyway but it sure has not improved its looks.

Another great RVing Tip of the Day

Sometimes good ideas are abundant and this month seems to be one of those times. This tip would work for anyone living in a small space. I suppose that is why it holds appeal for me.

Ironing out computer location problems

by Jim Twamley

 

If you find yourself in need of a computer desk for your RV but still haven't got the problem figured out, here's an idea.

 

We were in the process of obtaining a permanent computer desk for Marilyn, but in the meantime we found that a conventional ironing board serves the purpose well.

 

It's a long surface so you can pile stuff on it, and it adjusts to any height you need. It also folds up and stores under the couch when not in service. Not a bad use of space in a pinch. 

 

Editor's note: We've found a similar arrangement works great when trying to find a suitable place for the traveling sewing machine.

RVing Tip of the Day

Butch and I have replaced our big bulky TV in the front of our Motorhome. More than once actually. I wish we had seen this article before we did it and that is why I am sharing it with you. This option has much appeal on many levels. 

This info came from a newsletter we read regularly and you may want to as well so here is the website. http://www.rvtravel.com/?q=daily-rv-tips-issue2129602

Barb B.

More ado about a drop-down TV bracket

by Greg Illes

 

Editor's note: Back in Issue 596 we ran a story on a fold-down TV bracket that Greg put into his Class A motorhome. We immediately were hit with cries of, "Where can we get one?" from our readers. Here's a follow-up from Greg. 

 

The bracket is full-custom, not store-bought. In order to get the TV nearly flush to the windshield, and also up tight against the overhead when stored, I needed a bent bracket design.

 

First, I used a piece of wire to mock up the angle and length I needed. Then I had a local plastics shop put a bend in a piece of 3/8" ABS textured sheet.

 

The sheet is attached at the front with two standard three-inch steel hinges, fastened to a metal portion of the overhead structure.

 

At the back edge, I used two strap retainers to hold one-inch black nylon straps. These use standard strap snap-catches to hold the TV up in stored position. I used two for stability and fail-safe design (don't want that puppy coming down while I'm driving), plus I needed the finished affair to be rattle-free. These worked out very nice.

 

I punched a one-inch hole in the overhead to accept all the cabling, and I put a split-sleeve cable cover over it all to dress it up a little.

 

The TV didn't hang down quite vertically (bent bracket center-of-gravity offset), so I mounted a small wooden knob into the windshield vertical post (not shown in photos). The bottom of the bent bracket slips over the edge of the knob to hold the TV vertical, and also to keep it from swinging.

Gene Kelly on roller skates

---

 From Lloyd Reed:

Gene Kelly was a very, very talented man. This is the first time I've seen this, I never saw the movie.

Gene Kelly Tap Dancing in Roller Skates...
This is fantastic. It is unbelievable. If you’ve ever roller-skated, you will find this impossible to believe!!! Paste it in your browser if the hyperlink doesn’t work.

Gene Kelly Tap Dancing in Roller Skates...

You have no idea how good Gene Kelly was at Dancing until you watch this. Notice also that almost all the ladies were wearing gloves
except at the end when folks were clapping.
This will bring some of those old time memories for most of us.
Gene Kelly Tap Dancing in Roller Skates

http://www.chonday.com/Videos/geskates2 

Computer Tip...sort of

I read this in a newsletter I receive and thought, " Wow, I have been saying this for awhile and here it is again."

If you’re an IE (Internet Explorer) fan, you’ll be happy to know that the next incarnation of  IE(Internet Explorer) called “Spartan” will be so much like Chrome you’ll wish you would have learned Chrome 

Smile! Just kidding….but hey Spartan does look like a Chrome clone!

Draw a Stick Man

Be creative everyday  this is just goofy, but fun....try it!!!!       For those with extra time on their hands - draw and click "Draw a Stick  Man"- pretty neat!                                                            This is sooooo neat.  You have to try it.... This is a keeper!!  Click here: Draw aStickman

Homemade Mosquito Trap

WITH WARMER WEATHER COMES MOSQUITOS! WITH SUMMER APPROACHING, I THOUGHT I'D SHARE THIS.

This is a homemade trap to help keep you and the kiddos from being a blood donor!!!

HOMEMADE MOSQUITO TRAP:

Items needed:

1 cup of water

1/4 cup of brown sugar

1 gram of yeast

1 2-liter bottle

HOW:

1. Cut the plastic bottle in half.

2. Mix brown sugar with hot water. Let cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle.

3. Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.

4. Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together if desired.

5. Wrap the bottle with something black, leaving the top uncovered, and place it outside in an area away from your normal gathering area. (Mosquitoes are also drawn to the color black.)

Change the solution every 2 weeks for continuous control.

Norma Cooklin has turkeys

Norma sent this picture of turkeys at Spirit Lake Iowa! I noticed they do not yet have leaves on the trees.