Shower Cleaner-cheap and effective

 My granddaughter informed me of this solution for cleaning the shower and I haven't used anything else since. It is so handy to clean the shower walls when you are finished. All you need to do is rinse it off. No need to squeegie because the water beads up and rolls off.
MAKE A VINEGAR & DAWN CLEANING SOLUTION

Grab a container and mix DAWN and VINEGAR in equal parts.

I used half a cup of
 each and stored the remainder in an empty Dawn bottle. It takes about a 1/4th cup to fill the handle of the scrubber. To get the vinegar and Dawn to blend better microwave it for about 30 seconds. I have used this method for at least 3 years now. 

I read that it works for stains as well but I have not tried it

 First the Dawn, then the vinegar but adjust your amounts to the size of the stain.

All you may need is a TABLESPOON of each.

TIP: Do not dilute the mix.

Leave it for 15-30 min and rinse. 

Trivia Winners were 69-and-Holding

Team 69-and-holding won with a score of 96. 4 teams participated and there was an abundance of laughing, learning and good-natured teasing. It grows in popularity each week. We get those old dusty brain cells all worked up. Come check it out on Sunday at 6:00 pm. If you do not have a team come on down and we will get a team for you or you can gather up a team of your own. Warning!One time may get you hooked.

 

Supper at the El Dorado

The El Dorado in Weslaco used to be located across the street south from the HEB. It was a small building and the parking was atrocious but the food was really good. This season upon our return we discovered the El Dorado was missing and there was another restaurant where it used to be. A little later we discovered the El Dorado had moved to the mall on Pike where Big Lots is located and it is on the opposite side from Big Lots about in the middle. We first tried it for breakfast because that was usually when we would go there and it proved to be the very same El Dorado as which we were accustomed. We have eaten breakfast there several times now and we have never been disappointed.

Tonight we decided to try it for supper. Butch had a hamburger steak, baked potato, and salad, while I had a chicken taco salad. Both meals were excellent. And we most likely go there for breakfast on Sunday.

Thomas “Alan” Enestvedt Obit

Thomas “Alan” Enestvedt, 81, of Sacred Heart passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at the Renville Health Services in Renville. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, January 29, 2018 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart. Visitation will be from 3 – 6 PM on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at Opdal Lutheran Church, rural Sacred Heart and will continue one hour prior to the service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart. Interment will be at Opdal Lutheran Cemetery. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family.

Thomas “Alan” Enestvedt was born on May 17, 1936 to Alfred and Edna (Samuelson) Enestvedt in South Sacred Heart Township and was baptized and confirmed at Opdal Lutheran Church.

On June 29, 1957, Alan was united in marriage to Verla Mae Hetle at Rock Valle Lutheran Church, rural Echo. They made their home south of Sacred Heart where Alan farmed. Alan was a lifelong member of Opdal Lutheran Church and was active with the church council. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, wintering in Texas, playing pool and socializing with the neighboring farmers in the shop, especially on rainy days. He loved his time at the lake with family and grandchildren and had a passion for IH tractors.

On Wednesday, January 24, 2018, Alan passed away at the Renville Health Services in Renville at the age of 81.

He is survived by his wife Verla Mae of Sacred Heart; children Steve (fiancé Rita Andree-Thomas) Enestvedt of Sacred Heart and his children Melanie (Mike) Gordon, Stephanie (friend John Zetah) Geer and Carrie (Juan) Leal; Dean (Deb) Enestvedt of Sacred Heart and their children Stacy Knott, Chris (Whitney) Enestvedt and Cory (Emily) Enestvedt; Kathy (Mike) Knutson of St. Louis, MO and their children Tom and Ben Knutson; Lynn Enestvedt of Granite Falls and her son Austin Enestvedt; 10 great grandchildren; brother and lifelong farming partner, Dennis Enestvedt of Sacred Heart; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents,  sister-in-law Linda and husband Doug Schulte and mother-in-law and father-in-law Idell and Earl Hetle.

Blessed be his memory.

Random Photos

These are pictures I have taken lately. Perhaps in the last week.

It was a windy day and that can be a challenge when grilling so Myron and his brother-in-law Bill found a spot of calm. 

Meanwhile, Don and Larry were gathering cans.

And then there is Donn tending to his papaya.

Don L. and Lil D. sharing a laugh at the steak fry

Haircut?

Kay insisted that Bill get a haircut. He is getting his eyebrows trimmed in this photo and one is done and one is not. It is a fine looking haircut he has too.

 This was my first experience with this shop. My regular hairdresser has been seriously ill and will not be working this season. Kay and several other people in Magnolia park go here to get their haircut so I decided to give it a try. It is located in Donna at 1015 Miller Ave. No appointment. Women's haircut is $8 and a man's haircut is $7. I do not know the hairdresser's names but I will find out next time. I was very impressed. They are quick, efficient and knowledgeable. I liked my haircut enough that I will be going there regularly from now on.

Now if you are going to be a fussybutt about how the place looks you might want to go somewhere else. But if you are focused on having a great haircut this is the place to go.

Stepped in Doggie Do? Or kitty Do?

Get Poop Off Your Shoe

You get home to find you stepped in dog do-do while on your evening walk. No problem! Just spray some WD-40 on the sole of your shoe and use an old toothbrush to clean the poop out of the crevices. Rinse with cold water and your shoes will be as good as new.

Trivia Winners

Trivia team winners this week were The Troublemakers with a score of 82. I had toughened up the questions a bit. There were complaints. Next Sunday night at 6:00 PM the questions will start off easy and get progressively more difficult. Must remember, you are a team. The weight is not on one set shoulders. It is all about the fun of it.

Williamson Branch entertainers

Saturdays entertainment in Allen Hall
https://www.williamsonbranch.com/

If you want to know more about them click on the link above. They will be in Stratford Iowa this summer if you up north folks love Bluegrass and would like to see them perform. They were greatly appreciated in Magnolia Park.

Melody 19 and Kadence 15

 Debbie and Kevin Williamson

Caroline 8

 Melody and Kadence

Debbie, Melody and Kadence

Big Casserole for a Big Group

Maybe someday I will have a need to use this recipe. It sounds good to me.

Campground Potluck Turkey Stroganoff Casserole
 This rich, creamy, versatile casserole is a favorite with family reunions and campground potlucks. It can be made on the spot or ahead of time. Make it with any cooked turkey including canned chunk turkey or good quality deli turkey cold cuts. If you have room in your RV oven it can be made in one large disposable foil baking pan.

4 cups stuffing mix
1 cup water or chicken broth

4 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 soup can milk, water, broth or white wine
8 cups diced cooked turkey
1 jar of cooked onions such as Holland onions, drained

1 teaspoon crumbled dry sage
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
4 cans or jars, 6 ounces each, sliced mushrooms, drained
1 quart (4 cups) sour cream

2 cups stuffing mix
2 sticks butter, melted

  Grease two 9 X 13-inch casseroles and put two cups stuffing mix in each. Drizzle a half cup water or broth over each. Set aside.
 Cut up onions. In a bowl whisk condensed soup with a soup can of liquid plus the sage and parsley. Fold in onions, diced turkey, mushrooms and sour cream. Spread in pan(s) and sprinkle top with remaining stuffing mix. Drizzle with melted butter.
 Cover with foil and refrigerate for later baking or cover with foil and let stand 30 minutes. Then bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through. Serves 16.

Trip to Paris?

I have a new-to-me photo editing program and I have been playing with it. So I sent Susan to Paris.

Attention All Costco Shoppers

FOUND THIS INTERESTING

Do you know all this about Costco?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/whats-hot/if-you-see-this-symbol-on-your-favorite-costco-item-stock-up-now/ar-AAuNorY?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=HPDHP

Self CPR

I rarely send on messages that I receive about anything, however, this could be really important to know.

 1.   Let's say it's 7:25 PM and you're going home (alone of course) after an unusually hard day.


2. You're really tired, upset and frustrated.


3.   Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to drag out into your arm and up into your jaw.

You are only a few miles from the hospital nearest your home.

 4.   Unfortunately, you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far.


5.   You have been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself.


6.   HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN  ALONE?

 I have fact-checked this info. This comes from Dr. Patrick Teefy, Cardiology Head at the Nuclear Medicine Institute University Hospital, London Ont. 
Barb B.

 Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint has very little time left before losing consciousness.

 7.   However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously.

A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest.

 A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.


8.   Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it to regain a normal rhythm.

In this way, heart attack victims can get help or to a hospital.



9. . Tell as many other people as possible about this. It could save their lives!



10. . A cardiologist says: "If everyone who gets this message tells others about it, you can bet that we'll save at least one life.

More Trivia!!

Sunday night was Trivia night once again and it is being warmly received. I was told yesterday that it did not last long enough. They didn't want it to end. So I encourage all of our Magnolia people and their guests to form a team and come join the fun. You may form a team of 1 to 8 people and since it is all for fun and bragging rights you can get by with an extra team member or two.
As I look around the park I would love to form a team of my own and I have some people in mind who I would ask. But alas, being the one who is gathering the questions it would not work. You may ask me who I have in mind and I might give you a name or two to ask.
Think of people who like to read and /or watch Jeopardy. Or have areas of expertise say in Sports, History, Literature or Geography. I think you could also think of folks to make a team if you put a little thought into it.
Allen Hall 6:00 pm on Sunday

Sufferin' Succatash!

We are in the beginning throws of another cold snap. Butch will be unhooking the water hose once again. We are about 2 hours away from freezing temps as I write this. This cold snap is expected to be a 3 day event. The worst of it is, the freeze they predict will be at least 12 hours and for this neck of the woods that is what causes real damage. Grapefruit and crops will be nipped beyond saving. They are also adding some rain to the mix which means slick roads and accidents aplenty.

~a column by Colleen O’Brien ( my up north walking partner)

The great relief of the mundane

January 10, 2018Greene County News Online

~a column by Colleen O’Brien

A new acquaintance told me a story of her “coming through” major cancer surgery, as she said. She had been ill a long time, she had been doing chemo a long time, she had lost her hair a long time ago, along with her strength and her will. She thought she would be dead within the year.

The chemo and surgery worked, however, and she “came through” a healthy woman.

“What surprised me most,” she said. “was that I once again had the feeling that I’d had all my life of having no timeline with a period at the end. We know death will come someday, but it is in the future, it’s not close. I was suddenly thinking like I’d thought before I was diagnosed. I had my life back and it was just like my old life – not having to think every minute how long I had left.”

She said the normalcy of life after cancer was what thrilled her. She was grateful to be alive, yes. She was hopeful her cancer was banished forever. But she did not feel she’d been saved for some special reason; she simply felt that she had returned to her life, to the way she’d felt all her life. With one difference: now, she recognized what a normal life was – to plan events and trips, to work, to do nothing, to wander through her mind, to think about things that didn’t matter, to live as she always had in the minutia of the day.

The normalcy of life is not something we think about much, let alone praise. We talk about the high points, not the everyday routine. Relishing the mundane probably happens only to survivors . . . of cancer, of heart attack, of war, of car crash, maybe of close call; that slide by of the specter of death almost clipping us as his car careens from another lane right into our lane on the interstate, and for no reason at all we are allowed to drive on, unscathed.

The call to death that we all know is our end . . . when it recedes once again into a distant future is what normalcy is. To meet it up close and survive it, to remain in the world doing nothing much but one’s day-to-day busyness or lassitude – doing the dishes and the crossword puzzle, watching an old movie, playing Candyland with the kids for the thousandth time, cutting the grass. It is indeed the normal things that count. It is the small stuff that slips through our hours and our days with no fanfare and little thought that might be the best part of our lives.

Ronnie Hunter obituary

Obituary for Ronald Thurman Hunter
Ronald Thurman Hunter, Sr., age 74, of Hot Springs Village passed away on August 12, 2017 at 4:04 a.m. with his wife at his side. He was born on December 4, 1942, in Hot Springs, Arkansas to the late Thurman H. Hunter and Hannah Lois (Johnson) Hunter.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a step-son. Survivors include his wife, Linda Hunter, five children, three bonus children, one step-son, a brother, a sister, twelve grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and three furry friends; Pooh Bear, Angel Pooh, and Sugar Pooh.

Ronnie proudly owned and operated Hunter Construction for many years and retired at age 62. Ronnie loved traveling, making friends and crafting fine made jewelry from freshwater pearls and leather. He was a faithful member of AA and promoted the organization every chance he got.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Caruth Village Funeral Home Chapel in Hot Springs Village, memorial service immediately following at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Jim Johnson will be officiating.

Scrumpdelicious Bean soup supper

Susan and Noreen front and center. Susan chaired the event and cooked the bean soup. It was mighty tasty. Even though Susan led up the crew she also had lots of good help. Helping hands are always forthcoming for all events.

This and That

The weather has moderated. Before coming south this year I saw a prediction the Rio Grande Valley would have a warmer than normal winter. So far that is completely off the mark. It isn't all bad because moderate is good. The nights are often cool and the days are in the 60's and low 70's for the most part. In my mind, it is much drier than normal. The humidity has been surprisingly low. I have a bucket placed to catch moisture coming off the roof of the motorhome and I use it to water my plants. Many mornings I find not a drop of moisture in the bucket.

While walking a few mornings ago I looked down and spotted a coin. And this is what it turned out to be. I looked at a few websites and the value seems to be around the 6 or 7 dollar range. It is in pretty bad shape so perhaps it is less than that. It was a surprising find none the less.

The last cold snap we had did some damage. Nothing serious or permanent. The tops of the papaya trees are looking bedraggled. In past years, we were told that a cold snap is beneficial to grapefruit and makes them juicier and sweeter. Should be a great crop of ruby reds coming soon.

Last Monday at crafts Edna brought this pattern so I took a picture of it. A blast from the past for the crafty women.

Warmth has returned

Butch, Don T. and Larry are shuffling against...

Marty T., Mary B. Dave B., and Jim R.

Elaine M., Dale E., and Caroline E.

Untangling Christmas ornaments

Susan V.H. and Mary B. putting together a snowman theme for decorations in Allen Hall

Left to right around the table are Noreen, Doris, Edna, Elaine Chris and Genevia.

A Card Shower for Eula

To send her a card-
Eula Henderson
620 E Monroe Apt.1
Corydon Iowa 50660

On February 1st Eula will be celebrating her 90th birthday.

Trivia Night

Trivia night was a success. Three teams participated and they all said it was fun and they would do it again.
Butch and I play all summer in Iowa at HyVee. HyVee is the Iowa version of HEB. There is a restaurant in connection with the grocery store called The Market Cafe and that is where we meet. There is a fellow who is hired by Woody's Trivia who comes in and conducts the contest and it is their format that I have copied for here in Magnolia Village.
Friends gather together to make up a team of 1 to 8 people and they choose a clever name for their team. There is a total of 20 questions divided into 4 sections of 5 questions each. The team members put their heads together to decide on the answer to the question. They assign a value of 2,4,6,8 or 10 points based on their confidence in their answer. Each of those number values can only be used once.
There are various categories such as sports, history, geography etc. The points are recorded for correct answers with no deductions for incorrect ones.
It is fun and engages loads of interesting conversation among the team members. As long as the interest remains high we will continue on Sunday nights after ice cream or near 6:00 PM. It takes from one to two hours to play depending on the number of teams. We had three teams last night but we have lots of room for more.
We have yet to come up with a good idea for prizes and we are open to suggestions. So until then, the winning team will have their team recognized at Tuesday morning coffee hour.

January Garage Sale

 Joe is putting tomorrows lunch together.

 Reggie, Noreen and Barbara K.

 Ron Pearce

Marie and Genevia catching up

Back to normal

I do not even know how many days we were holed up in cold weather but it certainly has felt like a very long time. So this morning and indeed the whole day has been wonderful. The forecast was for a high of 61 degrees but with bright sunshine and still air it seemed much warmer and felt wonderful.
This upcoming weekend is our monthly garage sale. We set up our gathered items on Friday and park residents get first shot at the bounty then on Saturday morning we are open to the public.
Butch and I participate one month only and this year we chose January to purge our place of too many gathered items. At the end of the allotted time, we donate whatever does not sell to the craft ladies who sell at rock bottom prices all of the items donated to them on the next sale.
Volunteers also put together a tasty lunch for a reasonable fee. It always amazes me when someone is eating lunch at 9:00 am but it does happen!
So if you would like to get rid of clutter and unwanted items it may be a bit too late this month but start now and you will be ready for next month.

It's Frightful

We along with most of the rest of the country have been given a very cold deal this week and they say next week too. Having spent winters in "sunny" South Texas since 2000 I am simply not acclimated to this wintry blast. I, perhaps more than most, hunker down and endure. We have winterized the motorhome to the best of our abilities. We do have experience with that part.
Of course, we unhook our water hose and pull all of our shades. We supplement our furnace with a space heater. We place styrofoam squares in our vents in the kitchen and bathroom. We add a warm afghan to our bed. We do have an electric blanket if needed. To give you some perspective, there have been many, many winter seasons that we did not need to use any of these measures at all, let alone for two weeks.

Kitchen vent

 Bathroom vent

Dining room windows

 The result is we feel like we are living in a cave. Not being a natural cave dweller this gets old for me in a hurry. There is a light at the back of the cave. They say by Thursday the temps will be in the 70's. It is a bit easier to take when you are told there is an end to it.

So I know those who are 'Up North' are not feeling the least bit sympathetic to all this and that's okay. I am telling you only so you know what it is like for us and what we do about it.

Happy New Year!

We will all remember this new years non-event. Wearing shorts and or swimsuits is out of the question. Walking around the park at midnight to watch all the fireworks was not very appealing either. But it will indeed be memorable as one of the coldest.