South Padre

Dirty Al's cooler. I had shrimp and Butch had a hamburger. We were both very happy with our choices. DEE-LISH-US

There was heavy surf today and it was cloudy with periods of rain. It was still a beautiful day on the island.

We traveled to the end of the road. It is about 7 miles of sand still left to develop.

The leaning tower is being slowly dismantled but it looks like it will take a long time.



This is a plastic wrapped hi-rise. I do not know the purpose of it.

Sunday Service

Sunday Service at Magnolia Park is always a treat and today was no exception...The group is slowly growing with the addition of the Magnolia Family coming in for the season..Today the theme of the lesson was from Zechariah chapter 11" The Power of Rejection"...Pastor Stacey gave a powerful message that sure fits the time we are in...Much to think about and study...Afterwards the chief cooks and bottle washers served breakfast to all that wanted...It was a very good meal and much camaraderie was had by all....Don't you wish you were here to join us....The weather's great and the pool is warm and wet...

Small but growing crowd

Lineing up for Breakfast

Pool Work Crew

Noticed a busy work crew cleaning the pool chairs. They appeared to be well balanced in their duties and finished up in short order. The pool has warmed up now and is getting steady use.


This is a seed pod off one of the tropical trees. Looks like something from a sci-fi or Dr. Seuse book

Garage Sale Day

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Solar Oven

I can think of a whole lot of reasons I should have one of these. And Butch can think of a few why I should not. But I think it is very cool and could be used in many, many ways.
http://www.solarovens.org/

Garage Sale Day is tomorrow

I stopped by Allen Hall this morning and it is shaping up to be a very good sale tomorrow. Lots of neat stuff. The contents of one whole mobile home was donated so that makes it really fun to go look.
The pool has not been working, much to the consternation of many park residents. A new heater has been installed but after checking the water temperature a few times I assure you it still isn't working. 76 degrees is still much too chilly to dip my toes much less any further up. I have been seeing a steady stream of sunbathers however. Oh My!!! I just looked at the pool and there is someone in it. I think it is Chet. I should think he will be one very large goosepimple! Jerry and Diana Burton are getting some rays so they should be warm enough with outdoor temps at a balmy 83 degrees.

Winter Texan Monthly-October edition

In the Winter Texan Monthly-October edition were many articles of interest. I learned that approximately 64,000 winter Texans come to the valley each year spending an estimated 606.7 million dollars.
In the same edition was a discussion of the border rules that went into affect June 1, 2009. US Border inspectors said they will not and do not prevent US citizens from returning to the US but it does go a whole lot smoother if you have a passport. Any other kind of ID will get much closer scrutiny. In the same article they tell us that travel to Mexico was down by nearly 30% from the same period of time the year previously.

Nuevo Progresso is doing all they can to entice gringos back to Mexico but fear of being prevented from returning to the good ol' USA is a powerful deterrent.
We have been down once and other than the very light crowds things seemed to be mostly the same.

Golf on Tuesdays

I looked at the weather for the next 10 days for sunny south Texas and guess what!!?! It is supposed to be sunny! Very repetitious- low 80's for highs-upper 50's for lows and 0% probability of precipitation. And that's what we like about the south. It is funny how we get used to it and the next step is taking it all for granted. So take a moment to be grateful for this wonderful place we have to enjoy the many benefits of being here.
It was golf day yesterday and there were 4 of us who played from Magnolia park. That number will grow considerably as the season gets rolling.


"Wild Bill" and his wild haircut.

They painted the clubhouse at the Village Executive course where we play on Tuesdays at 11:00AM

Conversation Corner

Herb, Bill and Chet are catching up on park news. Just another conversation corner in the park. Some days there are many such corners all at the same time.

Sunday Service

Today at Church we had a few more of the Magnolia Family that has come in from up NORTH to winter with us in deep south Texas...We have been looking for all the family to come in and join us...The service this morning was great with the theme of"God wants strong leaders and he will restore"....Pastor Stacey is sure delivering the lessons of the bible for us....As this was the first Sunday of the month , we had Communion before closing the service...I look for the numbers of the attendance to go up as more come in....Just remember if you are still up NORTH, it's not cold down here, but it was just a little cool in the mornings....You can't beat not having to shovel snow so don't delay your trip south....

Arrivals

Butch and I have arrived at Magnolia and as most of you know it takes a while to settle in for a 5 month stint. We often times think we may get here too soon, especially on those oh so hot and humid days. But then we hear of the weather up north and think otherwise. It is quiet in the park but that is okay as it is much easier to slide into the frenzy of activity than it is to hit the ground running when you arrive later in the season.
There was a soup supper at Allen Hall tonight but we had other plans and didn't attend.

But I will try to keep this updated in a timely manner. And later in the season I plan to enlist some additional help.
Till next time...

Saturday Morning Breakfast

This morning we were treated to breakfast by Herb and Pat Jones....They were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary and were wanting to share with the Magnolia Family the event...I and several others tried to get an accurate count, but were having trouble as some just came in with well wishes for the couple...As near as we can figure we had around 75 for the event....A nice crowd for sure...The only thing was some of the Magnolia Family wasn't here....Were you???...I tried to get everyone in the pictures some place but may have missed some one so please forgive me....Happy Anniversary Herb and Pat....

The Happy Couple

Time to Eat and Talk

New Faces?

Another View

Nice Crowd

Chief Cooks and Bottle Washers

Coffee Day

Well I promised more pictures so here goes....I tried to get everyone, but someone might have been missed....Could it have been you????..It certainly was if you weren't at the coffee time for rolls provided by Herb and Pat Jones...They are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary and also Herbs 85 birthday...They also announced that they were going to have a breakfast to be served Saturday morning to celebrate the event also....Thanks Herb and Pat...If you aren't here to eat breakfast with us you are going to miss out for sure....I also won't be able to get your picture if you aren't here...

Some folks have said that they can't quite make out some of the people in the pictures on the blog...I have a solution for you...Just double click on what ever picture you want to make clearer and it will blow up in windows viewer and you can magnify it as large as you need...You can really zoom in on who ever you want to see plainly...Have fun with it and just take your time....You might even see yourself it you are here....It's great weather down here at this time and NOT COLD...Hint Hint....

Tuesday Morning Coffee Bunch

Trying to get everyone

Another View

Sunday at Magnolia

Hello, here it is Sunday again, how the time flies...At Bible study this morning we studied again in Zechariah with the theme of "God's in Control"....Pastor Stacey has told us before that he was learning so much by studying the book of Zechariah and hoped we were also...I know that there is a great lesson for all that are willing to learn....

To night as I was going to the pool hall for a game, I was stopped by Don Soole and was told that Herb and Pat Jones were going to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on October 25th...He said wouldn't it be nice if all the NORTHERN Family were to come in and surprise them...I said well maybe it would be nice if they at least got a lot of cards to read from every one...Well it's up to you as to what you can do, but the weather is warm here and no snow or ice...HA HA....Herb is also going to celebrate his 85th birthday tomorrow on the 19th...Happy Birthday Herb.....

Tuesday Morning Coffee

Well I promised you some pictures so here goes...I am just wondering if you are in them yet....If not you need to get here and get in on the fun of catching up on all the news (or gossip )....We had a nice group for coffee this morning...It was a bee hive of activity...I tried to count just how many were there but gave up cause there were people going and coming all the time...Some of them had hair appointments and other commitments that they had made....They just wanted to at least show up for a short time and say hi to all...I know that I missed some in the pictures as they had left or weren't there yet....At least every one had a good time and lots of laughter to be had...It's one of the benefits of being in our age group...Life's good...I will try to get more pictures later for you as more folks come in...

Nice Group

Catching up on the News

Sunday

Here it is Sunday again so soon...It just seems like the time flies by any more...Of course we had Bible study again this morning, but this time we had it in Allen Hall....The weather is nice today and very cool...The study this morning was from Zechariah again with the theme of"God is talking to his Church, are we listening ?"...This study is very interesting with something to think about...After the lesson we had Communion which was very good as we haven't had it for quite a while...

We have had a few more of the Magnolia Family come in for the coming season...I won't name them cause I would forget some one...Just keep looking for new ones in the pictures that I will be adding in the coming days...If you hurry you can get in the pictures quicker...HA HA...

Tuesday Morning Coffee

The little hall was full this morning at coffee time...There was people coming in every few minutes or so...A couple even stayed standing....I messed up by not remembering to bring my camera to catch it all...I tried counting a couple of times by never did get an accurate count...There were close to 30 at least with much laughter and catching up on all the news from up NORTH and when they thought some one else would be coming in...It was nice to see more of the Magnolia Family coming home for the winter...Some were suffering with the heat here and were not use to it yet....I said that at least they won't freeze for sure....We may have to move over to Allen Hall next week whither we want to or not....I will try to take my camera next week and get a few shots for the blog....

News from up North

I recieved this E-mail and will share it with you...I love to get this kind...

Hi Don & Marilyn,

Hope things are good in Magnolia Park..... It is cool here in Upper Michigan-----about normal temps for this time of year.....We are starting to think about the trip back to our Texas home.....I hope the Dr. releases me soon so I can start packing.

I'd like to say thank you to all of the people from Magnolia who sent me get well cards, e-mailed me, and called me after ( and before) I had my heart bypass surgery.....We knew we had a lot of good people there and how kind they were to me proved we were right.....Sometimes we don't know what a small gesture like a card or a quick phone call means to someone.....But believe me it means a LOT.....It was greatly appreciated......We are anxious to get back and see everyone.

See you in Magnolia.
Love, Naoma Pratt

Sunday at Magnolia

The weather is continuing to be rather warm here in deep south Texas and today is no different...I think it got down to 80 degrees last night and will be in the 90s today....Just what do you think of that when you are freezing up NORTH Magnolia family???..You know that you want to come on down and enjoy the warmth with us...HA HAl..

Of course we had Bible study this morning in the little hall...The air-conditioner was trying to keep us cool and almost was succeeding....The lesson this morning was from Zechariah and "God's plan for the Church" a great study...After Bible study there was breakfast to be had by all that desired it....They brought every thing over from Allen Hall to the little hall because it was too hot over there...I guess it will cool off sooner or later...

Saturday Sale at Magnolia

This was the kickoff of the first of the month garage sales for Magnolia for the coming season....It was a small sale but a very successful one...Lots of articles were sold and lots of laughter was had from all...Don Howard made pork bar-b-cue sandwiches served with chips and a big piece of cake and coffee for all that were hungry...It was a nice start for the new season and will only get bigger when all the family comes in from their up NORTH vacation...We are having a few come in slowly...I won't name them all cause I would forget some one , I just know that if you are still up NORTH you are missing the warmth of the weather down here...HA HA...We're looking for you....

Don and Suzy dishing up Food

Garage Sale

People Update

Late this afternoon Don Howard told me that he had taken Barbara to the Dr. about noon....The Dr. saw her and put her in Knapp Hospital in Weslaco...Her blood pressure was very high and they needed to get it down quickly...Don said that by late afternoon when he talked to me that it had come down a little be was still very high...I just know that she needs the Magnolia Family to pray for her at this time....I will let you know more when I find out something more....

I also received this E-mail that I will share with you...I think this is good news..

Hello to all--

Barney Thompson just called to say that Bernice was on her way home!!!..Yippee, so glad she is better....We sure hope she gets better now..Thought you would like to know.

Kay Voss

Info for you

I received this E-mail and will share it with you all...

Hello to all--

I just talked to Bernice Moritz , and she has been in the hospital for 2 weeks!,,, This time it apparently was a bad reaction to her meds,started out with a whole body rash and got worse from there.,,,,She was transfered to McKennen in Sioux Falls on Sunday.,,,,I am sure prayers and cards from her friends would help her a lot.,,

Kay Voss

About Shirley Benner

I had an e-mail from Mabel Zoet and she said Shirley and Roy had been to visit them and said Shirley was waiting for breast cancer surgery in the next 2 weeks. I hope everyone remembers her with thoughts and prayers while she has the surgery and probably treatment.
Sharon

Sunday Service

Here it is Sunday again and the start of a new week at Magnolia...We have had a few more members of the Magnolia family come in this week and trying to get settled for the coming season...It takes a little while for every one to get every thing cleaned and working like you want it after the summer...

Of course we had Bible Study this morning with 17 in attendance in the little hall...It won't be too much longer before we will have to have services in Allen Hall...All we need is a few more to fill the little hall and we will have to move...I hope the cool weather shows up as the attendance grows....This morning the Study was from Zechariah again on "Gods Messengers to the Church"...A great study...

Coffee Day

Tuesday Morning is always coffee time at Magnolia and we have had good attendance for as few people that there is in the park...We are always wanting to catch up on what's going on in the park or if anyone has heard from up NORTH family....This morning it was brought up that we will have the first garage sale the 3rd of October...Don Howard is going to fix up his famous Bar-b-cue sandwiches to add to the sale...It looks like the new season is beginning to start...We hear of several members of the Magnolia family that are thinking of coming in the next few weeks, so if you have a mind to ----come on down and join in the fun...We are looking for you....

Coffee Time at Magnolia

Spreading the News

Jerry & Butch

Butch and I played in a golf tournament in Atlantic IA yesterday. We happened to see Jerry and Edna Walker and enjoyed a nice visit. Here Jerry and Butch are catching up on news. Jerry & Edna have several family events to attend this fall as well. Hang in there, we will all get there ASAP!

Sunday at Magnolia

This morning at Bible Study we had 16 in attendance so we are gaining slowly...The lesson this morning was a continuation of the Book of Zechariah, ( Chapter 4 ) with God's in Control...A most needed lesson to be heard at this time of life...

This afternoon the card players were in the little hall playing their hearts out and having fun...It won't be too much longer before I'm sure that the hall will be more crowded with laughter as more of the family comes in for the winter....We are hearing rumors of a few that are planing on coming earlier than usual...HINT HINT....

People Update

From time to time we of the Magnolia Family get to wondering about some of the people that are or were part of the Family and just how they are or what they are doing...I recieved this E-mail and will share it with you....I know I have wondered several times just how various friends that are no longer coming to the park are doing and it is nice to hear from them...


Don, this is Judith and Don, former work campers....and we wanted you to know how much we appreciate the Magnolia blog....we check in every week or so, and so enjoy hearing how everyone is doing....although we are not RV'ing right now, we still love staying in touch with the folks who were such a big part of our journey's...and Magnolia Park was one of our great experiences.....love hearing about everyone...and wanted to let you know that we are doing very well....Don is still painting away, has work in 2 galleries....and other than some minor health issues (growing old isn't for sissies) I am doing well...we are really happy to be settled down, but still do some traveling to the Midwest, and home state Arkansas when we can....living in Florida, of course we have lots of visitors and that is cool too! All our good wishes to everyone, the Magnolia family is always in our thoughts and prayers...

The Raglin's

From Butch and Barb

We would usually be at Magnolia around the 1st of November but this year may be different. Our youngest son (46) is getting married for the first time in October. And now I am helping to get my step-father situated in a nursing home. So these two family happenings may delay us a bit.
It has been great to read all the news about our magnolia family. You have done a great job keeping us all informed, Don. Keep on keeping on!!

News from up North

I received this E-mail that I thought I would share with you just as I got it...

Enjoyed your messages all summer Don-----Just to let the "park" know that Elaine did recover from the spider bit but then had problems with rotator cuff which was operated on last Monday the 14th....The doctor thought he only needed to have three entries but ended up with seven.... It will take about 6 to 8 weeks of slings and therapy.... So guess who is going to be the chief cook and bottle washer.... We will be stopping in Branson, Mo but hope to arrive in Donna about the 13th of November...

LeRoy & Elaine Misfeldt

Tuesday Morning Coffee

This morning at coffee we had 18 in attendance so the little hall had quite a crowd...Yesterday was Dale Flood's birthday so he supplied the donuts for the bunch....Thanks Dale and Happy Birthday!!!..He said that he was 85 years young...Sandra Williams and her family attended for the first time at coffee as a new resident...Welcome to the park Sandra....Things are looking up it seems....

For all us seniors citizens

Link of the Day:

. . . it's that time of year again. . . here's the link to find a flu
shot near you. Nationwide. . . . Just put your zip code into the
search box.

www.FindaFluShot.com

News

I forgot to tell you that Ken Defries (228 Cummings) managed to sneak in the park a day or so ago while with out any one noticing, but I caught him and managed to get a report on his summer...He is doing well and was glad to get back to the Valley....He did say that Marjorie Scott had her hip replaced and is doing very well...She should be down later on in the fall...It's good to see that the Magnolia Family is slowly coming back....


I also received this E-mail and will share it with you...


Hi Magnolia Family,

We have had another get together here in Iowa...This time it was at Mary and Larry Lamb's home....We were celebrating Larry's 70th birthday....We all had a great time....Of course we also had our annual IOWA/IOWA STATE football party at our home in Prairie City, Ia. in which the Magnolia family was there too....GO IOWA!!!!

NEWS FROM THE MIDDLE OF IOWA,

SUSAN VAN HOUWELING

Sunday at Magnolia

Here it is Sunday again at Magnolia....I just don't know where the time goes and it 's not that we are so busy, but it just flies bye....OH well...This morning we had Bible Study again in the little hall with 13 in attendance...Pastor Stacey taught on Zechariah again with the theme of "Vines and Branches and God's Protection"....A very good lesson indeed...I know that soon we will have more in the park and more happenings so bare with us....Keep well...

More News

Yesterday Sandra Williams and her family came in to move in to her new home that she bought from Milo and Mable Swanger (203 Pecos)...You remember that I put the pictures of their new home that they put next to John and Joan Kent...Sandra said that some more of her family will be here in a day or so to help her get settled in...Some of her furniture will be coming in next week....Welcome to the Park Sandra....

I did get this E-mail that I will share with you also...

Hello to Magnolia Park;
We are just now getting summer weather, nice and warm and sunny....Had so much rain this past summer that my tomatoes are just starting to ripen....Swimming is a little cool in Georgian Bay, can't wait to get in the pool at Magnolia....Tom and I have kept up on the Magnolia news and look up people in the Park Book when we can't quite put a face to the names.....Tom and our son-in-laws put a new shower in the cottage, took out the tub which I could not get into with my arthritic knees and put in a glorious shower stall with tempered glass walls and doors.....Oh my it is really nice and no pain when I get into it....Such a treat...We have finished the kitchen at the cottage so we are kicking back now for the rest of the fall....There are a lot of cottages that have been boarded up for the winter but we will stay here until after our Thanksgiving which is October 11th week-end....All the family will be here for Thanksgiving and we will have Christmas complete with tree, turkey and stuffing and gifts with Christmas Carols and Christmas Crackers....Everyone looks forward to it and Tom and I close the cottage and go back to our condo in Brampton....We will leave for Texas on November 27th and head down to "our" park....Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones....Can't wait to start practising pool and start swimming laps in the pool in the morning....Until then stay well everyone, we'll see you in a little while.

Judy & Tom Hunt

At the Fair

We arrived yesterday, early afternoon. The fair does not start till Saturday but we come early to get a good campsite and party with friends. Dale and Norma Cooklin and Dick and Leslie Cleaveland are here too. Last night we went for a walk,picked up our fair tickets and then went out to eat. Excellent Chinese restaurant.
We were pleased to learn that the fair has free wifi. So we should be able to post freely as well...with pictures asap!
We had hoped to bring the car this year but we are not geared up yet to tow so left it in Jefferson. That is for all you folks in the area of Spencer that were expecting a visit from us.
Oh yes, we had two new tires put on the MoHo yesterday and after getting a closer look at the remaining ones we ordered four more. They looked much worse than we could see at first. We are warned repeatedly with RV's that the miles are not the important part with tires. It is the age. And five years is old. A blowout on an RV usually includes serious damage to the RV so we want to be as safe from that occurring as possible.
More later...

Tuesday Morning Coffee

We had coffee time at Magnolia Park this morning in the little hall again....We won't use the big hall (Allen Hall) until more of the Magnolia Family comes back from their summer vacation up in cool country..(NORTH)...This morning we celebrated Elmer Anderson's birthday and was treated by him with fresh donuts...Thanks Elmer and Happy Birthday...We had a nice group , but I forgot to count just how many did attend so forgive me...

Don Soole said that he had gotten a message that Bill Stilson was still in the hospital with pain in his back caused by staff infection again...He is on antibiotics and will be at least until the last of the month or longer depending on just how well the antibiotics work...I am sure he might like some phone calls from any of the Magnolia Family that might like to call him...Don said that Bill's room phone number was 419-381-3912 and the best time to call would be around 10 AM central time...Just remember to keep Bill and any other of the Magnolia Family that you think of in prayer....Heaven knows we all need it at some time...

Delbert and Shirley Wiese

I got this E-mail and thought I would share it with you all..

Hi Don

Thanks for the email and the picture of our bougainvillea....With all the hot weather I'm surprised to see how pretty it is....Glad to hear that you have gotten some rain....We could use a nice shower but nothing is really suffering (maybe the hills on the golf course!!!) The crops are lush and beautiful but could use some more heat units to complete the bean crop.

We are both fine and have had a very busy summer....The fishing here this spring was just"fair" but hopefully this fall will be better.....We have done a lot of golfing, enjoyed lots of anniversaries and special birthday parties, and sad to say we have lost several close friends.

Last Friday we traveled to Sioux Falls for our monthly brunch meeting at the "Frying Pan" with our Magnolia friends....I didn't count but around 30 people gathered.....We talked fast and furious and of course the questions,..."Where did the summer go??" and "When are you planning to head south?"


Hope this finds you both well....Again thanks for the nice picture and also for the news.

Delbert and Shirley

About Ed and Eleanor

This message is from Ed and Eleanor's daughter

Ed and Eleanor Piche have just left Northern Ontario to go further north. They are treating themselves to an Alaskan cruise in celebration of their 50th Anniversary and are planning to head back to beautiful Magnolia Park in mid November. Hopefully they will have a lot of pictures of their latest adventure to share with you when they get back to Texas. We have had a rainy, cool summer here and I know they are looking forward to returning to the sunny, drier south.

Regards, keep movin on!

Donna-Rae Stevens

Magnolia Update

I know I know I haven't written any thing for a few days, but you have to know that not too much happens when 98 % of the Magnolia Family is still up NORTH...So I will just let you know when something goes on...

Yesterday morning Herb Jones went to the hospital and had cataract surgery on his eyes as an out patient....He is doing OK today but his eyes are sore and red Pat says...So keep him in your prayers....I can't seem to find any one who knows any thing about Francisco Covarrubias or what hospital they took him to...I don't know how to get a hold of his family so will just keep listening for some word....

Saturday morning Marie Flood is going to have a small garage sale in the little hall..I guess that will start the garage sales for the coming year...Don't know how good it will go over without Don Howard's Barbecue sandwiches though...HA HA...Well at least something is starting to happen in the park anyway...Till next time...

Tuesday Morning Coffee

Coffee and rolls were had by the 14 residents that were at the little hall this morning...As usual there was much talk about any thing new in the park and catch up on what any one had heard from up NORTH family members...Also we celebrated two birthdays at coffee, Don Howard and JoAnne Keyser...Happy birthday was sang and well wishes were given...

On another note the ambulance came in this afternoon and picked up Francisco Covarrubias...I don't know just where they took him at this time but will post it when I do...I know that he sure needs our prayers as he has cancer problems and that isn't good at all...

We did get some rain finally over the last few days, I have taken out of my rain gage at total of 3 inches and 2 tenths so far...It sure is nice to take the dust out of the air...You can almost hear the grass thanking MOTHER NATURE for the moisture...Let's hope that the dry season is over for a while and the rain continues....