Happy New Year!

I couldn't resist when I saw this picture of Edna and Jerry Walker on Facebook and did something that I almost never do. I saved it and am posting it on our park blog. It is such a nice picture of both of them and they were saying Happy New Year and I know we all say it back to them as well as wishing all of our past and present residents a

Very Happy New Year!

More Winter Texan News and Upcoming Entertainment (edited)

(If you have already read this, I have added some info about Kay Stilson which I meant to put in when I posted this a little bit ago.)


The latest arrivals include Abe & Roxy Wolfe, Don Kiel, Bob & Bev Stavrum, and Gerold & Karen Goetz. I don't think I have mentioned Ken & Helga Huizenga although they got in just before Christmas.

We do have folks who either aren't coming at all this year or they will be arriving later. Peggy has heard from the Stilsons that first Bill was in the hospital but I think he is now home. Kay, however had a slight stroke and come to find out she has an aneurysm and will be going to Iowa City for treatment. One of their sons will be helping Bill at home while Kay is being treated. Jerry & Edna Walker are not coming down this season due to ongoing health issues with Jerry. I'm not sure if Tom & Joyce Rietveld are coming or not but as I understand it Tom has some health issues. His brother Cornie & Ruth Ann are also dealing with health issues for Ruth Ann so I don't know if they will be down or not. I'm betting that all of these Magnolia people would appreciate hearing from their Winter Texan friends.

Next Monday, January 6 Goldwing Express will be providing entertainment in Allen Hall at 1:30 PM. The cost is $9/person and I believe they are going to be in the Valley only for a short time so this is your opportunity to hear them. Remember when they were in the park for Vera's birthday party and put on quite a show. As I recall, a good time was had by all! It would be really nice to have a full house for this show.

Here are some photos from last time.

Christmas Dinner and Lighting Contest Winners

Chet & Irma invited us to Magnolia for Christmas dinner. Out of the past 56 years we have probably spent around 50 of those Christmas days with the Johnsons, usually at our house along with the rest of the Spangler family and more recently down here at Magnolia so it was nice to continue the tradition.

It was great to see so many familiar faces again and we thoroughly enjoyed all the good food and conversation we had with so many of our friends. I took the camera along so took several photos. It was a smaller crowd than in past years but that didn't make it any less special. We had a great time and enjoyed a phone call from Larry 1 who I assume was calling from Minnesota. Because of all the conversations going on it was a bit hard to hear him but we recognized his voice and it was a very nice surprise. The lighting contest winners were announced and they are as follows:

 Kenton and Polly over on Willow - 1st

 Joe & Linda Bleess on Aspen and Michael and Carolyn Murray on Peach tied for 2nd

Eldon and Patty Hardekopf won the RV category

Honerable Mention

Ron and Cynthia Daigle on Aspen

Larry 2 and Cathy on Rose

Chet & Irma Johnson on Rose

Darlene Jansen on Cottonwood

Merry Christmas to all present and former Magnolia residents!

Twas the night before Christmas...

Ugly Sweater Contest edited

Yesterday was the Ugly Sweater contest and our nephew was visiting his folks Chet & Irma Johnson and sent me these pictures that he took.

I understand these are "dunce" hats as these gentlemen didn't have any Christmas cheer on.

Corrected Dance Info

The Dance information I put on last night is wrong!!!

Today at 4:30 is the Ugly Sweater contest

Today at 5:00 are the Subs

TONIGHT is the DANCE at 7:00

More Winter Texans and Friday Dance

I can safely say NOW that Pat and Barb Kent are here as well as Dale and Caroline Eichor. I suspect that will be all who will be in before Christmas.

Don't forget there is a dance Friday night in Allen Hall with the band that Jay and Dale are involved with. I have no idea as to cost but I imagine it will start around 7:00 or thereabouts. Hopefully I'm right about that but surely it is posted in the Hall as to time and cost. 

Here are a couple of photos from last year.

Winter Texan Correction

Second or third hand or maybe even 4th hand information is not always correct. I was given the info that the Kents, Barb and Pat were here and that is not correct. However, this I'm sure is correct and that is Connie Dziuk has gotten into Magnolia. At the end of last season Connie purchased Larry and Noreen Ergen's home on Aspen so that's where she will be living this year. Also since I last posted Dick and Leslie Cleaveland have also arrived in the park. I think both Connie and the Cleavelands are happy to have escaped the rotten weather that is plaguing the Midwest. I know there are one or two more on their way and they should be arriving soon. Christmas is just a little more than a week away, it's really hard to think Christmas when it's so warm but tomorrow that is all going to change when the cold front makes its presence known. Even as I write this the wind has shifted to out of the north but it is still 71 degrees

Back in 2016 I went with Larry Ergen, Jan Brom, and Doris Nelson over to the Christmas Eve service in the Basilica over in San Juan and last year I went with Margaret Schmaltz and Eldon and Patty. Here are some pictures from 2016. The Basilica was beautifully decorated and if you get a chance stop in to look at it if you can't attend the service.

outside.

Winter Texan Update

A few more Winter Texans have arrived in the past week. Eldon and Patty Hardekopf are on their usual spot, George and Shirley Meirhofer are back in their mobile on Peach. I do believe they found that there have been some cats living under it but that is second-hand info so do take it with a grain of salt. Vera and Kenton Salmon got in and so did Barb and Pat Kent. I think there are a few more that will get there before Christmas which is coming up very quickly.

Tonight we went over to see the lights in Hidalgo. We have been there before but it was well worth the trip. As usual I took a bunch of pictures so I thought I would share one with you.

Back in the day

Thanks, Peggy G. for a look back in time.

Christmas Tree 2019

I received these photos yesterday but didn't have time to get them on last night. Here is the 2019 Christmas Tree in Allen Hall as well as the decorations above the Welcome to Magnolia Sign.

5 years ago in Magnolia

Potluck and Bingo

I was sent these photos tonight taken from the season's first potluck and then also from bingo. There were twenty-five people at potluck with plenty of food for everyone. This takes place every Thursday evening, bring a dish to pass and come prepared to enjoy the fellowship and food. The usual activities are starting and they are listed in your directories and also on the board in Allen Hall.

On Saturday evening bingo  was played up in Allen Hall. Goldie has become the new caller as Edna has either sold her mobile or is in the process of selling it, I'm not quite sure which and has returned back to where she most likely will be "enjoying" a white Christmas.

I know that there are people on the road or will be on the road very shortly and as always travel safe and watch the weather. It is going to be cooling down here on Tuesday so that will be a good time to dig out those Christmas sweaters and sweatshirts!

Garage Sale

Just a reminder, the park garage sale is tomorrow up in Allen Hall I believe from 8:00 AM to Noon. It is always the first Saturday of the month.

I also have found out from Donna Stevens that the new owners of Joe and Jeannette LaPointe's mobile are Jocelyn and Jim McLean and Monique Trahan. They were in the Thanksgiving dinner photos but at that time I did not have their names.

December 5 News

There have been a few more arrivals to report. Jay & Joyce Kelly got in a few days ago as did Dave & Sue Greening. Greenings have been moved over on Rose next to Craig Hodge's house where Linns were parked last year. Speaking of Craig, he is in the park but just for a short time and he brought his mother Kathryn who used to live in the park as well as his sister and brother-in-law.

Jay has a new band called High Country Band and they will be playing for a dance on December 19 from 7:00 - 10:00 with a cost of $7/person.

There will be an ugly sweater contest in conjunction with the usual sub sandwich night I believe also on Dec. 19. There will not be a Christmas Parade this year.

Four more mobiles have been brought in and are being placed where some have left. As I understand it, these are not FEMA trailers.

Here are a couple of photos from last year's Christmas Parade with Dave & Mary in the lead golf cart and Larry Ergen with the sleigh and his reindeer which needed some assistance with staying aloft due to the windy day we had.

Winter Texan Update

I guess I have fallen behind in my Winter Texan Report and to be honest I am not quite sure who I may have missed. When we were home I had them written down but once we got on the road my notes seem to be non-existent. In other words, I can't find them!

I know LeRoy and Elaine Misfeldt are in and I believe they are renting Randy and Cindy Tarrence's house across from Susan. Carmen Friesen and her son DeWayne Friesen have also arrived. I know that Donna Stevens relatives are in and I think they are Gert Trahan's daughters. I'm sorry I don't know their names but I do know they are in the pictures from Thanksgiving that I posted last week. They are in the house that belonged to Joe and Jeannette LaPointe and I've heard that it will be pulled into the park to be put on Marie Flood's old spot. It currently is back on Cummings right next to the gate which has become a very busy spot in the park.

I'm sure there will be more arriving soon now that Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is right around the corner.

Safe travels!

Enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner

I was sent these photos from yesterday and it looks like there was plenty of good food to go around and as I understand it, enough to go back for a second round at supper time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkey Day

It's been a year of changes for Magnolia Park (Village) but some things never change for both past and present residents. It's a place where old friends can meet and get caught up on what has happened in their lives since everyone was together last spring, whether they live there full time or are Winter Texans. We are entering the Holiday Season with first Thanksgiving and then the hustle and bustle of Christmas and all that means. It is a busy time of the year often times filled with gatherings of friends, lots of good food and of course, maybe even shopping! Take some time to enjoy the season with family and friends!

 Happy Thanksgiving

Fred Seldon Obituary

Fred Frank Seldon, 90, passed away Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Weslaco Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  Funeral services are under the direction of Hawkins Funeral Home in Donna.

Fred F. Seldon, 90 years old, passed away on October 26, 2019. The funeral services were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Edgerton, Minnesota. Fred was born on July 11, 1929. He attended Country School 39 and graduated from Edgerton High School in 1948. Fred joined the Navy in October of 1950, and served four years in the Pacific during the Korean War. He returned home to help his parents on the family farm near Edgerton.Fred married the love of his life Carol Kroeger on June 11, 1960. They continued farming on the family farm and enjoyed being winter Texans in the Rio Grand Valley for 20 years.  They moved full time to Donna, Texas, in 2014.Fred and Carol were blessed with three daughters, Peggy, Kim and Nadeen, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.  Fred picked up his first guitar at the age of 14 and did not stop entertaining until God brought him home to sing with his angels. He enjoyed meeting many friends who became family in the Rio Grand Valley. The family asks that any memorial be given to the Selah Hospice Care, 1101 East Dallas Avenue, Unit 6, McAllen, Texas 78501.

Good Times, Good Memories

This is one of my favorite pictures. Kay Stilson and Norma Cooklin laughing it up!

Naoma Pratt, Marj Soole, and Dick Cleaveland taking part in a Chivaree. I am not sure who the recipients were but it might have been Dave and Mary Bruun when They bought their place.

Mary Bruun all bundled up for the Wednesday morning bike ride. She is a trooper!

Winter Texans Drifting In

More and more Winter Texans are arriving in the park. Dave and Mary Bruun got in a few days ago as well as Susan Van Houweling. They met up around Joplin and traveled together the rest of the way. Keith Gilbertson got in I believe today. Edna Nelson got in a few days ago and Edna has sold, or is selling her mobile and going back up north. I think her grandchildren came down with her and will help her take the things that she wants back up north. She will be missed as she was a long-time resident in the park and always called the numbers for Bingo. When we first started coming to Magnolia her husband Charlie was a fixture up in the pool hall in his wheel chair. I'm not sure quite how long Edna has been a resident but I know it's been a very long time.

The weather up here in the north has moderated slightly but I'm guessing there will be more and more arrivals soon as people want to escape the cold and snow. I know that's how we feel. Jim has one more eye appointment to have the prescription rechecked for his new glasses which he got after cataract surgery. He only needs them for reading and actually he reads just fine without them but they said, oh these will make everything a little sharper. In fact, he can't read with them at all or use them for his laptop either so something is wrong. We haven't decided if we will wait for the lenses to get changed or just have them sent to us. It has been quite the summer between dermatology and eye appointments and we are more than ready for a break.

Just a reminder, this blog is intended as a place where present and former Magnolia Park (as the park was known for almost all of the years that most of us have lived there either full or part time) residents can keep in touch and share where they are now, what is happening in their lives or, news that none of us like to hear, if someone is sick or has passed. I know that Duane Ergen and Reggie Holland will be elsewhere this winter. I seem to remember that Reggie told me they were going to Florida but I may have that wrong. Larry and Noreen sold at the end of last season so they won't be in the park this year either. I think Nelson and Mabel Zoot are staying home, but again, I think that's what Mabel told me but I'm not sure about that. Now that there are two mobiles on the spot we had reserved we will be at Trophy Gardens which is where Barb and Butch spent last season and are already there. We are looking forward to maybe shooting some pool with them although to be honest we are pretty rusty as we've played two games since we got home and that is all. When we are in the park we spend every night up at the pool hall and when we get home even though we have a perfectly good pool table we can't manage to find the time to play. It's more fun I guess when there are lots of people around as half the attraction is all the camaraderie that goes on in the pool hall as well as a fair amount of "smart" remarks that get tossed around. We will miss that!

As always, if you have news you would like to share, let me know and Travel Safe to those of you on the road now or shortly.

This and That

A few more Winter Texans have arrived in Magnolia, Larry Josie and Cathy Toms got in a few days ago and I believe Kathy Gonzales arrived today.

I received this note from Marty Harper which she asked me to post.

     "Deon, Will you post that we are in our new park, Trails End and are very happy here. We went to our first meeting, we got introduced and met a few more people. Linda W, our welcome person showed us all around, she was so helpful. You drive in and you feel at home. I am glad we made the move to Trails End. Heads up, NO bars on the windows or doors, don't need them. And No sewer smell. Boni the office manager is so nice to talk to.
     That being said, we do miss our Magnolia family and hope to come and visit and our door is always open, 937, last mobile in the park. Marty Harper"

It's certainly no secret that there are several others in the park who will be going to Trails End also just as soon as it can be arranged, as I understand it. As we've been saying for quite some time now, change has happened and is still happening. I believe there are more mobiles that will be coming in soon so it is a much different park from what we were all used to. Even though we lost our spot we are looking forward to seeing the new mobiles and from the pictures they do look nice. The office area has been spruced up and looks inviting. Like Marty, we also hope to come and visit during the upcoming season.

Dale M. Buzzard Obituary

Dale M. Buzzard, 90 years of age, of Burchard passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society in Beatrice. He was born in Saint Elmo, Illinois on May 26, 1929 to George and Mary (Radcliff) Buzzard. Dale graduated from Lewiston Consolidated High School in 1948. He married Carol Hunt on June 6, 1950. Dale served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. He was a lifelong farmer, attended Burchard United Methodist Church and was a member of the American Legion and VFW. Dale enjoyed old cars, boating, fishing, motorcycles, water skiing, snow skiing, traveling and especially time with his grandchildren.

Dale is survived by his wife, Carol; daughters, Michele Tegtmeier and husband Jim of Burchard, Sherri Lovell and husband David of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Brant Lovell, Jordan Lovell, Wyatt Tegtmeier and wife Kacey; great grandchildren, Jacob and Lukas Tegtmeier; brother-in-law, Ramon Hunt and wife Dolores of Crab Orchard; sister-in-law, Pauline Malone and husband John of LaVista; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ayres and wife Bonnie, Neil and wife Marilyn; and sisters, Lois Adams and husband Don, Miriam Rondali and husband John and Ruth Metcalf and husband Roy.

Funeral Services were held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice with Pastors Hyunsook Kim and John Henderson officiating. Interment with military rites followed in the Lewiston Cemetery. Visitation was held from noon to 8 PM with family greeting friends from 6 to 7 PM Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice. Visitation at the Harman - Wright Mortuary from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on November 5, 2019. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice in care of the mortuary.

More Winter Texans Coming In

As the weather "up north" gets colder and colder, more and more Winter Texans are heading south. Joe and Linda Bleess arrived a few days ago and they live over on Aspen. Ken and Lettie Pavelka also got in and they live back on Cummings. For those of you who may not know them, Ken is the gentleman who plays the trumpet so beautifully when we have our patriotic presentation. Last night Darlene Jansen and Gail Lubinsky arrived in Donna but I believe it was rather late and rather than try to get their mobiles opened up  at that hour they spent the night at the Donna Super 8. Jim and I have stayed there a couple of times many years ago when we used to come down just for a week or two to visit Chet & Irma, before we ever started RVing. Doug and Sharon Nelson also are in and for the present time they are residing on the corner of Rose and Pine but only until December 1 when they will have to move to a different spot.

Tonight on the weather they were saying that three years ago in 2016 it was 70° on this date. Not this year! It is COLD and next week it looks even colder. I looked to see what the temperature is in Memphis as we are considering stopping there for a few days at a RV park along the Mississippi and it was 56 ° there today which sounds good. We were going to do it last year but it was very cold, too cold to watch the barges on the river so we didn't bother. Maybe by the time we get out of here it will be too cold again with the way the weather has been behaving lately.

As always, safe travels everyone and keep your eyes on the weather forecasts as you head down to the Valley.

More Winter Texans Arriving

Just a short post to say that Lloyd and Lavon Linn got into the park a few days ago as did Polly Pruitt. Lloyd and Lavon are residing on Brooker's old spot on Peach and Polly of course is in the house she and Kenton have over on the corner of Fir and Willow. Today Ron and Cynthia Daigle got in and it would appear that Don and Marty's mobile is getting ready to be moved out to go over to Trails End.

As today was Halloween it has long been a tradition in Magnolia to have Witches Stew or is it Witches Brew, tonight. I have heard it both ways and have never known for sure which is right. In any case, the tradition continued and I believe there were somewhere between twenty and thirty people in attendance. Terry Froseth was in charge of the cooking and it sounded as though lots of people brought desserts too and I believe a good time was had by all.

I think the cold front has arrived in south Texas but I know it isn't nearly as cold as it is here. It is WINTER and I don't like it one little bit. Yes, I'm whining! There was a stiff wind out of the north all day but we did not get the snow that southern Wisconsin got and also parts of Illinois. I don't know if Iowa was hit or not.

Just as we turn the page on the calendar to a new month, Magnolia park has changed too. There have been quite a few who have moved out with more to follow as well as many new residents who have moved in residing in the mobiles the new owners have provided. The park is still in a state of transition and only time will tell what the final results will be.

Travel safe on your upcoming journeys south!

Winter Texan Update

I had to look back to see who I last reported was in and now there have been some more additions. Ron and Chris Pearce got in I think shortly after Chet & Irma and I was thinking I had already posted that but when I looked back I couldn't find it (that doesn't mean it isn't already there, just that I didn't see it). Don and Marty Harper are there and Donna & Kent Stevens got in yesterday (you may know them as Ed Piche's daughter and son-in-law). Donna told me that they had a little bit of an accident in Des Moines. They had pulled into a gas station and someone hit them. I kiddingly said you have to watch out for those darn Iowa drivers and she responded that it was someone from Brownsville. As we all know, you do have to watch out for those darn Texas drivers. To those of us from rural areas it seems like they do drive fast and rather recklessly down in South Texas.Donna said neither she or Kent were in the car and there was minimal damage. Deral & Linda Rogers are in and today I believe Donn and Peggy Gordon arrived as well as DeWayne and Carmen Friesen so as it gets colder up here more and more folks will be heading south.

One day last week Andy Harper's unit was pulled out and taken to Trails End. He had originally thought he would stay at Magnolia but a nice spot became available and he grabbed it.

As always, safe travels to all who are venturing out.

New Office Door

I was sent this picture today of the new office door and I thought I would post it as I think it really does look nice. The office has been painted white and the trim is now blue. There are even new cushions on the furniture that is sitting out there. I'll put a picture on below that shows how it used to look and I think you will agree that this is much more attractive. After looking at the way it used to look I think that even the gutters and downspout have been updated. Lots of changes along with some very nice improvements. I also want to mention that the mailboxes have all been painted and have new numbers. I'm sure the mailperson will appreciate that.

Winter Texan Update

Here it is the middle of October and there a few more Winter Texans arriving in Magnolia. Ron and Chris Pearce got in yesterday and Chet & Irma Johnson arrived today. I just got done talking with Irma and she thinks that Terry Froseth and Mark Peters are also in. Hopefully that is correct. She & Chet went to HEB tonight to pick up a few groceries and I asked her the price of eggs because last year they were quite high but not this year. 99¢ a dozen and she saw butter for $2.29/lb. which is actually cheaper than here in Wisconsin, the dairy state. I always take butter along when we leave because our local Kwik Trip convenience store will have it on sale for Christmas baking around $1.99/lb. or maybe even a little less than that and butter will keep a long time in the freezer.

Irma said the new mobiles that are in the park look nice which is actually what I have said all along. I think the white skirting and nice steps they have really dress them up. For those of you who may have missed it, Bea and her husband do live in the park over on Willow and their house is especially attractive as it has a porch across the front of it.

I'm sure there will be more Winter Texans trickling in and I will try to stay up to date on their arrivals. Even though Brookers no longer live in Magnolia I want to mention that they are on their way. Right at the moment they are in Oklahoma but will be in upper Texas for a few days or longer I believe. Don & Kathy Ferrell who now reside over at Rio Valley Estates got down into the Valley maybe a week or so ago and in fact Kathy came over today to help the Johnsons unload the car. Last year when Chet & Irma got there they needed the furnace but this year the air conditioning was necessary and thankfully it works! I imagine there will be a lot more people arriving once November arrives and the cold weather really kicks in up in the Midwest and Canada where a lot of us are from.

Safe travels to all of you no matter where your final destination is, whether Magnolia or another park in the Rio Grande Valley.

Canadian Thanksgiving

 Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada so we'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of our past and present Winter Texan Canadian friends a Happy Thanksgiving. From what I read it is much like our Thanksgiving and always falls on the 2nd Monday of October, similar to ours always being on the 4th Thursday of November. I believe both of them celebrate thankfulness for family and friends as well as being thankful for the fall harvest. Unfortunately I believe this year there are many places, certainly in the States as well as Canada where the harvest may be difficult. I believe they have already had snow and of course, so have we out in the Dakotas and further west. We have been inundated with rain whereas parts of our country have a drought situation, In any case, I hope all of you Canadians spent the day with family and friends and I know that some of you will be on the road soon heading to south Texas. We wish you safe travels and look forward to seeing you soon.

I do know that there are already a few Winter Texans in Magnolia,  Shirley & Roy Benner are there as well as Pat & Mike Jordan and I believe Handyman Bob is there too.  There may be more that I'm not aware of but I'm sure I'll be hearing soon when more arrive.

As more of you start out we wish you safe travels on your trek south. Our motto has become, what's the hurry, we have all winter so we do take our time unlike a few years back when it was hurry, hurry, hurry. Our travel days are shorter and we try not to drive at night. Old eyes don't do so well in the dark so we prefer daylight. We are contemplating going around Houston on the toll road, #99. If any of you have done this, let us know how it was. We have "done" Houston three times and said never again but this doesn't actually look too bad. I don't believe there is a lot of traffic I imagine because you have to pay to drive on it.

If anyone has news they would like to share, please let me know.

Sand Castle Days on South Padre

I looked at Facebook today and found that DA and Kathy Baustian had been over to South Padre Island and he had posted some great photos which he said I could put on the blog. By the way, some of you probably don't know that DA and Kathy are now residents over at Rio Valley Estates and their mobile in Magnolia is for sale or was the last I heard. I don't know if it has sold yet or not but I do know it's a nice one.

This and That

With the recent weather that we are having back here in Wisconsin and in a lot of the Midwest it makes me think we should head south. It's too early for us but I know others are thinking about it. I just read Barb Brooker's blog and they are in the process of moving out of their house into the motorhome. They do this every year and it helps them to make sure they have everything they want to take along on the trip. I know from experience it's all too easy to leave something at home that you really wanted to take. We have "stuff" that never leaves the RV such as dishes, pots & pans etc. but all of our personal things come in the house so it does take a while to gather it all up to take along. I think everyone who heads south for the winter whether they are coming in a car to get down to their winter home or by RV pretty much arrive with a packed vehicle. I'm looking forward to that time when we can start making piles of things that we want to take along. We are looking at late November and just in the last few days are contemplating going around Houston again. We have done Houston three times I think. The first time was a disaster on a road that on the map looked fine but in reality turned out to be a four lane, yes but a light on every corner. We hit it at the noon hour, and we were in the Class A. I remember Jim saying if we managed to get out of there without getting hit it would be a minor miracle. Our only saving grace was the fact that we were big. We had the car on a dolly behind us and we thought someone might hit that but we managed. It was a dreadful hour or so. The next two times we went right through the middle. Bumper to bumper traffic, again during the noon hour but this time we stayed on the interstate and over in the second lane from the left which seems to work quite well. We've never driven a 5th wheel through Houston and this time we are looking at taking the outermost toll around it. It would appear to be way out starting north of the city and going around to the west. If anyone reading this has done that I would appreciate hearing how it is.

Several folks have shared news from the park. There are now two dumpsters instead of one which I think is a good thing. With so many people in the park I imagine one dumpster would fill up in a hurry. Mike Reddick, Marie Flood and Arnold & Nilda Santana's mobiles all have been moved out of the park. Santanas owned Jon & Eddie Larson's mobile on Pecos for those of you who didn't know them. That would be right next to Gail and also Waneta. I have heard that there is a RV parked where Joe & Lucy Urias had their mobile on Rose right next to Chet & Irma's mobile. I've also been told by at least three people that there are plans underway to remodel Allen Hall. From what the ads for the rental units say there is a gym coming and I'm thinking that may be where it is going.

I know it's been VERY HOT down in Donna yet but when watching the weather channel tonight it does look like relief is in sight. I'm sure that will be a welcome relief. Whenever anyone sends me an email or text they mention how hot it is. That really can't be much fun. Back here when I walked this morning I had my heavy coat on along with a headband, hood and gloves. It's cold and we don't much like it!

I found a few pictures that I thought would be fun to share. These are from the 2017 Ropa Style and Talent Show. Everything that is modeled in the style shows came out of one of the many Ropa USADAs that are located across the Valley. In most instances nothing is hung on hangers but "arranged" in a huge pile in the middle of a big building where it is common to see a tow motor pushing clothes around on the floor and beeping its horn warning all who are shopping to get out of the way. Clothes as well as bedding and other textile items are found in these piles and everything is sold by the pound. Ropa shopping is many Winter Texans favorite way to spend a day to see what surprises they can find in the pile.

 Kay Stilson is modeling her PJ's.

Would you believe that Shirley Benner's outfit came out of a big pile on the floor!

Even white pants can be found in the Ropa heaps. Sue Greening looks pretty 

special in this pretty outfit.

 Now I'm not exactly sure how much of Dave Greenings outfit came out of the pile but I do know that he was "fishing" which I think is what Dave likes to do best, except maybe for gleaning vegies out of the fields when they are left after picking.

I do wish I could remember what this was all about but Darlene Jansen was reacting to something. Remember, not only are clothes modeled and talent shared but there are skits and other things that go on at the style show. I will never forget the year that Ambrose jumped into Eugene Pratt's arms! I just asked Jim if he remembered that and he did. It was a sight to behold!

 I think Chet Johnson maybe forgot that he wasn't in Wisconsin but in south Texas. Well, actually on second thought I see he is prepared for both with his nice warm jacket and hat but he also has shorts on. No matter what the weather brings he is ready and down in the Rio Grande Valley the weather does often change very quickly at the drop of a hat.

This was one of the talents that were shared, Don Tank and Linda & Deral Rogers sang for us. 

There is a lot of talent in Magnola.