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.

Photos From Last Season

I was looking through some of my Magnolia photos from the past and ran across a few that I thought were interesting.

These were taken 12/31/18, New Years Eve day last season. Edna Nelson was busy demonstrating how to make noodles. I happened to wander up to Allen Hall with my camera and as I recall that is what she was showing how to make. I think after she had them all rolled out she cut them up very finely with her knife. No fancy noodle machine necessary. Leslie and Mary are taking it all in and there were others there too but I just don't have any pictures of them for some reason. Jim told me that his mother made noodles but they were big noodles, nothing as thin as the kind Edna made. My mother also made noodles but I have never made a noodle in my life and I'm thinking it's a lost art. The way Edna did it seemed easy as pie! I noticed that she
had short sleeves on but both Leslie and Mary were bundled up so I'm guessing it was one of our cooler days of which there were many last season.

I ran across Max Pierce and Michael Murray on December 6 of last year. They are neighbors on Peach Street and they certainly both looked like they were enjoying each others company.

This is the Bluegrass Band which would practice in the corner of Allen Hall every Monday afternoon at 4:00. On February 16 they presented a little show for us and it was very good. You can see Jay Kelly in the front row with his fiddle.

Gordon's Mexican Moon

The Gordons in Mexico

Donn and Peggy were in Mexico helping the baby turtles get to the ocean. Sounds like fun doesn't it?

From 2015-BINGO!

From 2010

You never know who might pop up! This is Roy and Shirley Benner in 2010

Vera's Party

I was looking through some of my Magnolia photos and came across these when we all celebrated Vera's 80th birthday. The Salmons treated us to a wonderful performance by the Goldwing Express and as the old saying goes, "a good time was had by all."

Little Hall and Harvest Moon

I was sent some photos of Little Hall and you can see how nice it is looking. They are in the process of painting that dark brown exterior and making it white. It appears nice and fresh and certainly is an improvement and you can see from the inside that the dirty carpet has been replaced with a vinyl floor which again is a much needed improvement and will be so much easier to keep clean. It looks like the walls have probably also been painted and I assume the library books are probably packed away for the time being probably waiting to be put back on the shelves.

I also thought I would show you one of my photos from last Friday the 13th which is of the Harvest Moon behind one of our maple trees out in the front yard. It seems a bit eerie to me which is fitting for Friday the 13th. Those of you on Facebook have already seen this but for those who aren't Facebook friends here it is. Just below this post is one from Barb which shows a couple of photos from Iowa and as she stated, it is nearly harvest time there. Today's temperatures don't feel that way as here in Wisconsin it got up into the 80s and was pretty humid. Donna TX today was 108° which is way to hot for me (down from 112°)!

Harvest

Iowa's harvest isn't far away...

From November 2007

 

I remember when the courts were redone. It is hard to believe it was that long ago!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Monday Morning Shuffle

The new courts are great. No curving and a bit on the slick side. So if you have a bad shot -can't blame the court!!

On The Lighter Side

I had an email from Carol and Karl Kapke today and am glad to report that even though Karl had a somewhat tough summer with a couple of surgeries he is back home and doing very well. He was in rehab for a while and did lose a considerable amount of weight but now that he is home has gained five pounds. Carol also had cataract surgery earlier this summer but she didn't say if it was one eye or both. Tuffy Wolfrom along with a friend stopped in to see them a while back and Tuffy is doing fine. We missed all those people, as well as Char of course last season in the Magnolia pool hall where they would gather every night to shoot many games of pool.

Last evening I happened to look outside just as it was getting dark and saw the fog rolling in. I thought it might make a good picture opportunity and this is what I saw. The photos are both just out the patio door with just a slightly different angle on each.

Remembering Edna

This post is from 2004. See, I kind of know you may not be inclined to go back and read old posts so I thought I would pick out some at random and repost them. We all like to reminisce, don't we?
Edna has passed now and it has been several years. She was remarkable and a dedicated woman.

This and That

I'm sorry to say that it has come to my attention that one person is being "blamed" for the information that I have been sharing with you all summer concerning the changes in Magnolia. This would be laughable even if it were true, but it isn't. I was just counting up the number of folks who have sent me info and photos to share with you and I come up with at least eight different people and most of those have been on a regular basis. I had one person call me on a Saturday morning and talk for an hour and it was not the person who is being "blamed." Apparently management and the new owners really had no intention of informing the park residents that Magnolia was no longer a 55+ park but a family park. I can't imagine how they thought they could do that but it seems they did. If it weren't for the pictures and information that people have been sending me all summer would any of you have any idea what was happening down there. Did we get a letter? No, we didn't and I don't know of anyone who did. Did we get a phone call? No. Did we get an email? No. . . . NOTHING!!

I have actually bent over backwards not to put the really negative "stuff" I've been given on and I certainly could have. You should seen some of the photos I have especially of the dumpster, the pool, the weeds and I could go on and on. I think most of those problems have been corrected and as I have stated the dumpster is being dumped on a regular basis, or at least it was the last I heard, the new lawn mowing people are doing a good job, the streets have been repaired, Little Hall has been remodeled and as I did state I was told it is beautiful, Allen Hall was painted, at least in the front and the managers office was remodeled. As I have repeatedly stated I do believe the new mobiles look really nice when they are all skirted and the entrances added. The fact does remain however that it is a family park and that can't be changed. Things will certainly be different, maybe not bad, but definitely different. We had hoped to stay one more year and when I typed my post the other night I was nearly crying, it made me feel bad.

I do think if any of you RVers had made a reservation for the middle section you had better check to make sure that you are still going to have a spot. At this point it does look rather doubtful. This is a picture I received today of "our spot." As you can see, it is now fully occupied by two mobiles.

Photography Snafu

I decided to take a picture of the tree across the street that has begun the "change". But when I did, this is what it turned into. I left the pitcher in the photo because it has a Magnolia Park connection. Then I noticed the tree was blurry and that is because my camera was set on birdwatching.

Photo number 1:

So now you want to know the Magnolia Park connection, right? There are talented people in every park who like to flip park models, mobiles or RV's given the opportunity. Ten or more years ago, an elderly former resident in Magnolia park sold his place to one of those fellows when he no longer wanted it and the flipper took everything out of it before remodeling and invited passersby to take whatever they wanted. I happened to be one of those passersby and I chose this charming little pitcher. Now you want to know who the elderly gentleman was as well as the flipper, right? The flipper was Max Rayburn from Newton Iowa but the gentleman I do not remember but I can tell you he lived on the northeast corner of the intersection of Pecos and Willow. That should help you pinpoint it and the mobile is no longer in the park.

So moving right along, this is a clearer photo of the tree that is going through the "change" in central Iowa.

 Photo number 2