Saturday, November 08, 2008

My view


This is my view north as I look out my window while sitting at the computer. And you can also see that sometimes I do puzzles on the computer. Go to www.jigzone.com for puzzle fun. We set the number of pieces to 48 piece classic but you may like something different.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Nuevo Progreso- Mexico

We made a trip to Mexico yesterday to pick up some meds. There is a strong Mexican military presence at the border but the guns are aimed into Mexico, not out of it. It can be a bit disconcerting but I didn't feel threatened in any way. We also had Pancho's at Garcias. Delicious!!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Sweat Bee


This bee was resting on our window as I sat at the computer so I took a close up shot of him/her. I thought the result was interesting.

The History of 'APRONS'

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for
removing hot pans from the oven.



It was wonderful for drying childrens tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ' old-time apron' that served so many purposes

Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about Grandma's aprons.


REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.

Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Itchin'




I know there are some of you just itchin' to see some photos taken in the park. So what we have here is a tree blown by hurricane Dolly and now looks like a Dr. Seuss invention. And then we have what appears to be cat tails but I think not. I do not know what they are. And then we have Lucy at the November garage sale modeling a hat. She was trying to convince someone it was a good buy. Hey, it worked once!
Things I have noticed upon arrival.
1. Things look neat and clean.
2. We have new managers in the office. Don and Carol and I will try to get a picture soon. Courteous and helpful.
3. We have new workkampers. I have met a very friendly Marge so far.
4. I believe we have more walkers and bikers maintaining their health.
5. Traffic is light in November...always a pleasure.
6. H.E.B. has a new manager and I was super impressed with the store both in offerings and prices.
7. Weather is moderate. Daytimes in the 80's nights in the 60's and the 10 day forecast is more of the same.
8. The Executive golf course opens on Monday.
9. Gas prices down the street were $1.83 yesterday.
Keep checking. I will find more things to tell you for sure!

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Internet in the Valley

http://tinyurl.com/6yauvf
If you plan to come to the Rio Grande Valley for the winter one of the best bargains for an Internet connection is Time Warner Roadrunner. At the site above, place your zipcode and address in the appropriate places and the offers will appear. You can follow through with the order from there or you can call 1-800-971-8837 if you are more comfortable ordering by phone. Internet connections are offered for $29.95 a month for 6 months. Most of us are not in the valley for more than 6 months so this is indeed a bargain for us. Also there is not a contract with this so it can be discontinued at any time. Installation is free as well.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Great Start for New Season

At last we have a good crowd to be able to use Allen Hall for coffee time...More and more are coming in almost daily.....We just have to look around and we find someone just came in...It's GREAT....Don has enough people that he has to use the mike so everyone can hear from one end to the other.....Today Herb Jones bought the donuts for the crowd as he has a birthday.... Happy Birthday Herb!!!!!! Just in case you haven't thought about it we are going to have another garage sale on Saturday the first of November, so if you want to attend you better start down soon..Also we are going to have Witches brew on Thursday the 30th to celebrate Halloween....

Allen Hall's first coffee time for the new season

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Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Coffee Time in the Little Hall

Well the little hall is getting crowded at last on Tuesday Mornings for coffee...I don't know how much longer before we must go to Allen Hall to have get to gathers....We all like to hear about any of our NORTHERN Family doings and when they might start to come down to the valley...It was decided to start POT LUCK this Thursday at 5:00 PM so if you want to attend you must get on the road.....HA HA..... The weather is starting to get nice so what are you waiting for?...Just be careful on the road coming down here, cause we want everyone to be safe...By the way gas for the car is getting cheaper, so that will help....

Little Hall is getting Crowded

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Saturday, October 04, 2008

First Garage Sale of the New Season

Well if you weren't at the first garage sale of the new season, you weren't down from up NORTH yet....It was kind of slow but their were sales made and good food to eat....The weather was almost perfect and you can't ask for better than that...A few more of the Magnolia Park Family is coming in every week so things are finally getting started for the year so you that are up NORTH just as well start packing your bags and come on down and join us, the weather is starting to cool down and be very nice...

Don's got lunch ready..

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Crowd just a little thin

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Eddie Looking for somebody to buy something

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Thinkin'

This is the time of year when our thoughts are turning south.
Butch and I will be headed that way in about 10 days but we will be taking a long time to get there as the song says. Butch has visions of pool shots dancing in his head with golf on the side. I have put a moratorium on Mexican food until we can get down there for the "REAL" thing. And of course the people!!! Because that is what we miss most!!
See ya'all soon!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Well we dodged this one

Just thought I would let you folks up NORTH know that we dodged hurricane IKE with no damage in the park or even in the Valley as far as I know.... We can just count our Blessings that we didn't have to get out of Dodge , so to speak....We are still waiting for the rest of out Magnolia Family to start coming in for the new season and are getting impatient so to speak.....If it gets too cold up there, come on down as it's very warm here....(and green)...

Monday, September 01, 2008

Labor Day at Magnolia Park

Well here it is Labor Day and the fall season fast approaching.... Soooo we have to have a picnic to celebrate the Holiday of course....Don Soole and Don Howard as usual took care of providing the good food... We had bratwurst and hot dogs for meat with baked beans and macaroni salad...Brownies and watermelon for desert....Now you can't beat that can you..... We all chipped in at the end to pay for all the food.... We all had a good time getting together and sharing a meal.... We are looking forward to all the rest of our Magnolia Family from up NORTH coming down and joining us for the coming season.....We are looking for you .... Come on down.....

Plenty of Good Food and Company

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Enjoying the meal

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Vivian enjoying the meal and company

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