This and That

Today is Tuesday, March 26 and day after tomorrow we will be heading back home to Wisconsin. It has once again been a very busy winter and the time has gone by very quickly. It seems like we just got here and now it's time to pack up and head north.

Back home it was the winter that wasn't, that is until the last several days. Wisconsin did get snow but I don't believe as much as some other areas did. I just looked at the weather and it appears that the temps will be in the 40s and I do know that the snow turned to rain so I'm thinking there can't be too much snow left.

Our little group of Magnolia people here at Trails End. for the most part are doing well. I believe Ron and Chris Pearce will be living here full time but I'm not 100% sure about that. We get together some Sunday mornings for snacks and chit-chat and it's always nice to see everyone. I run into Don Harper most mornings when I'm out on my morning walk and he's out walking his dog. I always ask him "what's new" and usually his response is nothing or words to the effect. 

We'll pack up the car tomorrow and head out as soon as it's light Thursday morning. Our first night out is usually Henderson TX but that may change, depends on where we are and how tired we are. The second night should be Marion IL and the third night we should get home. Of course that's if all goes as planned and we don't get delayed anywhere. Who knows, sometimes traffic is stopped because of an accident up ahead. Then all plans will be changed.

As I always say, if you have news or information to share, please do let me know and safe travels to those of you heading home.

This and That

Time is flying by it seems at a record speed. It seems we just got here, actually around the 1st of November and here it is almost March. We will stay until the end of March or thereabouts as we like to be home around April 1.

I've been busy this whole season, what with one thing or  another. We are still remodeling the mobile home we purchased in December of 2022 but are almost done. We are waiting for the roofer to come to put on a new metal roof which hopefully will happen before we head back north. The winter had been very dry until last weekend when we got around 4 inches of rain here in Weslaco which was so badly needed.

There are quite a few Magnolia people here and it's always nice to stop and chat a minute with them. This park has lots of Canadians in it and we've met some very nice folks here.

We've been birding a few times and plan to go a bit more often now. I am working on the park directory and now also do the monthly newsletter, both of which I do enjoy. We shoot pool on Friday evenings, mixed doubles, much like we used to do in Magnolia and we do not play with who we came with but draw cards to find our partner. It's a great way to meet new people and get to know them. Darlene Jansen plays as does Terry Froseth, Pat & Mike Jordan, Don & Marty Harper and Jim and I, along with others from the park. It's fun!

I seldom hear any other news from Magnolia people and as I've said before we do wonder about them. We drive by Magnolia and it sure doesn't look like it once did. Kind of sad.

As I say every time I post, if you have something to share, please let me know.

I'm going to share just one photo I took a couple of weeks ago and it is of an Audubon's Oriole.

Do You remember Edna?

Do You remember Edna?

Edna Anderson has been trying to rid the west side fence of sandburs. She has spent endless hours digging away at them. Edna used to be a resident of the park but had to move due to the number of pets she adopted. She still lives nearby.

I have a suggestion if you would like to take a stroll through the good old days of Magnolia. On this page you are reading this, scroll to the bottom and on the right side you will see a list of the years. Click on any of them and have a look around. The one above happens to be from 2004. Have fun!

Winter in the Rio Grande Valley

 What a difference from the last time I posted. We once again got extremely cold down here in the RGV. This time was not as bad as the "Big Freeze" in February of 2021 which lasted almost a week with no power but that time we were in the 5th Wheel and had a generator and we were snug as two bugs in a rug! This time it got down in the upper 20s and about 2:30 this morning our neighbor's generator which he installed last year, came on. I thought wow, we have power, I wonder why they don't. Well, silly me, yes we had power B U T. . . down here it is called 1/2 power and at home we would call it a brownout. We had power for the lights and TV but that was it - no coffee maker, no stove, no microwave and most importantly, no furnace, thus no heat. We are all electric here. As it turns out there were very few homes that had lost half their power. A transformer on our end of the street had a wire hanging down off of it so two streets were affected, our street and the one in back of us. All homes affected were in a relatively small area but we were one of them. AEP came in and fixed the problem and about 10:30 this morning the furnace was humming away. It did take a long time to heat the house and everything in it, back to a comfortable temperature but tonight everything is just fine and has been ever since it came back on.

Ron and Chris Pearce both have covid and Darlene had it a short time ago. Everyone (not us) went to the New Years Eve party and that turned out to be a super-spreader so lots of sick people in the park. Once in a while we will run into former Magnolia people and it's always nice to see them. Barb & Butch Brooker  who live over at Trophy Gardens in Alamo went square dancing and ran into Mary and Dave Bruun  and Barb had posted a picture of them on her blog. It was nice to see and did remind us of the "good old days" when we all were part of the Magnolia family.

Lots going on in our park this week, a big shuffleboard tournament which has had to change the days due to the extreme cold, a Welcome Back dinner tomorrow night put on by Encore, the corporation that owns this park and many more, and then a big shuffleboard dinner Sunday night which will have lots of guests. Everyone keeps busy that's for sure.

I hope all is well with all of you and as always, if you have news to share do let me know. I hear from quite a few prior Magnolia people quite often including Mabel Zoot and Edna Walker, just two of them I'll mention. We do wonder about others that no one seems to have any contact with. Lots of good memories, that's for sure.

Do keep in touch, it's always nice to hear from you.

Summer in January!!

 It got pretty warm here today, I believe our thermometer read 89 degrees this afternoon, had to turn the air on. We really haven't had to use the air or the heat too much this season. When we first got here in early November we had the A.C. on once in a while and then we needed the heat once in a while but most days we just turn the ceiling fan on and we're comfortable. It was extremely windy here today too which is not too uncommon down in the Rio Grande Valley. 

We went to Mexico last week and on the walk back over the international bridge from Progresso we encountered lots of immigrants who were camped on the side of the bridge that returns to the states. These are not people who are trying to sneak in and enter illegally but they are people who appeared to be from European countries looking to escape Ukraine and other countries where living is very tough. There were lots of families with children, some folks were sleeping in their tents and others were just gathered together talking. We could hear them and most everyone who has encountered them suspect some are from Russia, and other countries in that area just overhearing the languages spoken among them. I noticed that someone had placed ziplock baggies with toothbrushes and other hygiene items for them to use. They were evenly spaced all along the railing all the way to the middle where there is now a checkpoint at the US border and we had to show our passport to get through. We, who live in the United States sometimes forget how fortunate we are because in spite of the issues we all face, nothing is comparable to what people in some other nations are going through.

Last week the parrots decided to visit and they settled in trees right next to our house. How lucky is that! It was great fun, I took lots of photos and here are just a few. Remember how they used to visit us in Magnolia. It was fun then and it's still fun. They make so much noise you can't miss them when they are overhead.

Pictures from a ways back

 

A very young Butch Brooker

Butch's brother Don

Butch's brother Leo

Kite day on Padre. Maybe 2012?

 The golfing years. I was there but when you are the photographer you are rarely in the picture.

Did you ever have to put around a tree on a green? Butch did.

Gary, Jason and Butch.

I was looking at Pictures on my computer and this was the result but now I simply must walk away from the computer and do something else!

Christmas Greetings

 

From Our House to Yours

This and That

 Once again, I've been remiss in not posting much but as usual when we get down here in the RGV we are busy and this year I seem to be especially busy. I'm on the Trails End Board and while very interesting, it is also a lot of work but I have to say I am enjoying it. We are getting ready for our Christmas program on Sunday evening December 17. We will have a choir which I am accompanying and that is a whole lot of fun. One of our residents volunteered to direct and she is doing a great job.

Some of the Trails End residents who, like so many of us are former Magnolia residents told me I should list those who are down here and I told them I know the ones here and a few who are in some of the other parks but others I'm just not sure about and probably not everyone has yet arrived for the winter as many come after the holidays.

In our park we have Ron & Chris Pearce, Gail Lubinsky, Don, Marty, & Andy Harper, Darlene Jansen, Keith Gilbertson, Terry Froseth, Carmen and DeWayne Friesen, Darrel & Kathy Forsgren (not here yet), Mike & Pat Jordan, Natalia Poprawski, Mike Reddick, Joe & Cheryl Raleigh (not here yet), Deral Rogers, Shirley Truitt, Connie Dziuk and Beverly Lokensgard I know for sure are at Roadrunner as is Doris Nelson and I think Michael & Carolyn Murray are also there. I'm not sure about the Krafts or Steils and I believe there are a few more former Magnolia people at Roadrunner but don't know for sure. I think Don & Mary Knorr are at our sister park, Leisure World as is Joanne Olson. Don & Kathy Ferrell, DA & Kathy Baustian, Marge Soole, and George Morgan & Phyllis Branstetter are at Rio Valley Estates. Dick & Leslie Cleaveland and Ray & Leslie Droogsma are at a park I think in Donna but can't remember for sure which one it is. Last year I believe Dave & Mary Bruun  were at Palm Shadows but could be wrong about that and these last few I'm not even sure if they are down here yet. Butch & Barb Brooker are at Trophy Gardens where they have bought a park model.

I would imagine I've missed a few but most of this info was off the top of my head and not really researched. I've probably even missed someone here at Trails End.

There are still a few of the original folks left at Magnolia Park and every time we drive by it we are grateful that we no longer live there as it does not appear to be very good.

My computer battery is almost completely run down so that is all the information you are going to get tonight! Safe travels to those who may still be coming down to the Rio Grand Valley.

Chester L Johnson

It is with heartfelt sadness that I have to tell you that our brother-in-law Chet Johnson passed away very early this morning. Most all of you will remember Chet who was very involved in Magnolia Park for very many years, whether he was cooking steaks or shooting pool or doing any of the many other things that he did in the park. He almost always had a smile on his face  as he would ride around the park in their golf cart giving their cat Chico a ride. If you would like to send Irma a card her address is 807 W 4th Street, Neillsville WI 54456

Chester Johnson, age 90, of Neillsville died November 10th, 2023 at his residence. He had been in declining health this past year and was under the care of VA Home Based Primary Care and St Croix Hospice.

Chester Leon Johnson was born June 18, 1933 in the Town of Eaton, Clark County, Wisconsin, son of Leo T. and Tressa (Roum) Johnson and brother to 9 siblings. He attended Greenwood and Loyal rural schools while working at several farms as a youngster and many years for Dan and Sylvia Boh in Willard. In his late teens, he was employed by Kurt Marg Fur Foods in Neillsville. He served in the U.S. Army, spending time in Arkansas, Colorado, Virginia and Iceland. Chet's last 37 years of employment were at Nelson Industries in Neillsville, retiring in 1994

He married Irma Spangler on October 24, 1956. They had three children, Tom (Carrie) Johnson, Neillsville, Sharee (Steve Karklins) Johnson, Winton, MN and Dan (Jandy) Johnson, Fayetteville, OH and now four grandchildren and two great grandsons

When the children were young, there were many family camping trips and vacations, visiting 46 states and Canada. After Chet and Irma's retirement, they spent 25 winter seasons at a retirement park in Texas. He enjoyed being outdoors, cooking maple syrup in the spring, making firewood, fishing, hunting, refinishing auction finds, and recycling items into yard ornaments.

He is survived by sisters: Donna Brandt, Brenda Johnson, Helen (Don) Anderson; brother Carl Noah and sister-in-law Sheila Noah. Preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, four brothers: Lloyd (Dolores), Allen (Marjorie), Lyall (Margaret) Johnson, and Keith Noah; and a sister Linda (Clarence) Krause.

At his request, there will be no services.



Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com

Come to a conclusion

 I have come to the conclusion I get triple the exercise in South Texas as I do in Iowa. Now I am well aware that it doesn't need to be that way but it comes in a way in Texas that you do not realize it until you crash!

Yesterday we went to Mexico, needing a few items such as Gingivitis mouthwash, Volfenac and a zpac. No, neither of us are sick.  We try to keep one on hand. When we go to Hectors it becomes a two-mile walk. Before going, Renie and I had done our walk. And if you work in playing some pool you can see how you could rack up miles.

The main question we get from telling anyone we went to Mexico is "How is it in Mexico, specifically Nuevo Progreso Mexico?" It is fine! They have spruced things up so it looks much cleaner and they have pushed venders down the street a way so it isn't nearly as crowded getting started down the street as it used to be. Butch got his teeth cleaned ($40). As a general rule, everything costs more than it used to and that is because of the Peso/Dollar relationship. For instance, we had lunch at Jessica's and it was $5 in the past and $7 now. That shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone. It was still delicious!

We came home and took a nap!

Turkey for Two

I have posted this recipe for years now...And here it is again!

https://brooker3.blogspot.com/2023/11/turkey-for-two.html

This and That (Again)

 It seems I can't think of a different title so will just talk a little bit about this and that.  I was wrong, Marty Harper is in Texas and Don will be coming shortly with the motor home.

I heard from Darlene (thank goodness she's very good about keeping me informed) and she tells me that Chris has the cast off and by now the stitches most likely have been removed. She is doing therapy at home. Ron, however is in the hospital with a UTI and pneumonia. The UTIs seem to be a popular illness this summer. Jim had one in July and a worse one in late September. He landed in the hospital for a couple of days where they pumped him full of antibiotics and he seems to be fully recovered. It is nothing to fool around with that's for sure and to be on the safe side we have a filled prescription with the antibiotic that he has taken so if something should happen on the way down we are prepared. Will have to drink more (and that means more stops) along the way but it's good to get out and stretch our legs anyway. 

We got our covid and flu vaccines last week and think we will get the RSV and latest pneumonia shots before we head out. We've had two pneumonia vaccines in the past and thought that was the last we'd ever need but apparently there is now another one they are recommending we get.

Our son is coming for a short visit at the end of next week and shortly after he leaves we will head south, all depending on the weather of course.

I will mention here, just in case you are not a Facebook friend that we will be bringing at least two cases of Jim's freshly extracted honey with us, most of which is already spoken for but if you are in the Valley and would like a jar, please let me know. A two pound jar is $10, and this is raw, filtered but not heated honey. Pretty tasty!!

Chris Update

 This will be a short post but just want to mention that I talked with Chris Pearce briefly yesterday and her wrist surgery went very well. She said it felt much better than last time and we are hoping to see them in the RGV by mid-November or thereabouts. 

I heard from Marty Harper and she and Don are already in Texas. I'm guessing some of the rest of you are already down there too or getting ready to head that way. We still have some fall work to take care of, namely we are waiting for the maples to drop their leaves so they can be raked up and then mowing the lawn one last time. We have not had a killing frost yet here in central Wisconsin so it's taking a long time for the leaves to fall. A memory from last year on this date showed up on Facebook and our big maple right in the front of the house had no leaves so things are quite different from a year ago.

Yesterday we had rain, lots of rain and also lots of wind and still the leaves are hanging on, darn it! Today we had our yearly "fall fling" with Chet & Irma and also the Morehouses who at one time lived at 11 lime in Magnolia. It's always nice to get together for a meal and conversation together before winter sets in.

If you are or will be on the road, safe travels and if you have news to share, please let me know.

This and That

 Here it is October and it is finally feeling like it. I wore my heavier jacket today on my morning walk plus a headband, gloves and hood up. It had been really warm but this is much more fall-like and we are enjoying it. A lot of the trees in our area have reached their peak color and heading downward. We have two maples with tons of leaves and I really wish they would all fall down so we can get them raked up and carted down to the woods. We mowed a week ago and it looks like we will probably have to mow one more time. It did finally rain quite a bit so the grass grew a bit.

We will be heading south at the end of the month and I'm already making piles of the stuff that goes. Most likely I'll forget something. It's quite different from when we had the RV when all the essential "stuff" stayed in it and all we had to load was our clothes, food and "toys" which in our case are computers and for me, yarn, music books, quilting supplies etc. I think our load down this year should be less than last year but what I already have piled up seems to be quite a bit. We'll see how it all works out.

I have been told via the grapevine that Chris Pearce will be having surgery on her wrist again on October 9 and even though I haven't asked her if I can post that information which is what I usually do I am telling all you Magnolia people so you can keep her and Ron in your thoughts, hoping for a better outcome this time around. You may recall, she fell last year and broke her wrist. It was taken care of at Knapp and just like our brother-in-law Mort Morehouse, it did not turn out well. Mort also had to have his redone back here in Wisconsin. His turned out just fine the second time around.

If you have news you'd like to share, please do let me know. Safe travels to everyone as they make their way south for a new season in South Texas and for those of you who don't make that trip anymore just remember, you are missed and it is surprising how many times our former Magnolia Park friends are mentioned in our conversations. Trails End has a large contingent of Magnolia people and we are all still a pretty close knit group.

I almost forgot, we do still have honey and we will be bringing at least two cases of honey with us when we head out. Most of that is spoken for but if you'd like a jar and have not contacted me before, let me know. A two pound jar is $10 and this is raw, filtered honey fresh from Jim's bees.

This and That

 It's been a while since I've posted anything but I heard from Marty Harper and she told me Don is much better and he attributes his sepsis from a very small bite from a cat. Who knows, anything is possible and we are glad he is better. We are looking forward to seeing them in south Texas in just a couple of months.

I also somehow saw a post or communication from Tuffy Wolfrom that he has been fighting A-Fib which is nothing to fool around with. I hope he is on the mend. 

We have had our usual busy summer and right now Jim is busy extracting honey. He is too good a beekeeper and he has only 3 colonies but we have lots of honey to get rid of. We intend to bring 2 cases to the Valley with us and one of those is almost completely spoken for.

He planted several yellow cherry tomato plants and now we are inundated with these little tomatoes. They are much better than the red ones, at least in my opinion and the plants are hanging with them.

It has been extremely hot here in Central Wisconsin, 100 degrees yesterday and 96 today. Wednesday is supposed to be much cooler. We need rain badly but in spite of that there are some fields of beautiful corn and soybeans around the countryside. I don't know how they have even survived much less thrived without rain but they have. The morning dew has been very heavy so perhaps that has helped the crops. I for one am ready for fall, it's been a long, warm/hot, dry summer all around the area.

We are looking forward to another season in the RGV and I am eager to go birding down there where the wonderful birding areas are very plentiful.

If anyone has news they would like to share please do let me know and I'll be happy to post it.

Verla Mae Enestvedt Obituary, February 16, 1939 - August 6, 2023

 

A funeral service for Verla Mae (Hetle) Enestvedt was held on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart, MN beginning at 11:00a.m. A public visitation was held on Friday, August 11, 2023 at Opdal Church in rural Sacred Heart from 3:00-6:30p.m. Visitation continued Saturday morning at Our Saviors Lutheran Church from 10:00-11:00a.m. Burial took place at Opdal cemetery Saturday morning following the funeral service. A funeral luncheon was held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church following the graveside service.

Verla Mae (Hetle) Enestvedt was born on February 16, 1939 to Earl and Idelle (Volstad) Hetle in Echo, MN. Verla was raised in the river valley north of Echo, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Rock Valle Lutheran Church. She graduated from Echo High School in the spring of 1957. She met Alan Enestvedt at a local dance. The couple fell in love and were married on June 29, 1957 at Rock Valle Lutheran Church. Together they raised four children on their farm south of Sacred Heart, MN. Being a farmer’s wife, Verla always kept everyone well fed with hotdishes like her famous scalloped potatoes.

Verla was a lover of all kinds of music.  She regularly attended dances with Alan and their friends and played the guitar with her dad every chance she got.  She shared her love of music with her children and grandchildren and could always be found with a tape recorder in the front row at musical competitions and events.  Verla loved to travel. Whether it was traveling the river-bottom road with Verne, spending time on Norway Lake with family, traveling to Texas with Alan for the winter or taking her bucket list trip to Norway with Alan; she loved to be on the move.  Verla kept active by participating in WELCA and her favorite social group, which started in the late 50’s as “The Charming Chicks,” still meets today.  Verla never met a stranger and gave a piece of herself to everyone she knew.

After living at Meadows on Main in Renville, MN for a number of years, Verla moved to Bethesda Grand, Willmar, MN where she died on August 6, 2023.

She is survived by her children, Steve (Fiance Rita Andre-Thomas) Enestvedt and his children Melanie (Mike) Gordon, Stephanie (John) Zetah, Carrie (Juan) Leal; Dean (Deb) Enestvedt and their children Stacy Knott, Chris (Whitney) Enestvedt and Cory (Emily) Enestvedt; Kathy (Mike) Knutson and their children Tom (Kristi) Knutson and Ben (and friend Myrna) Knutson; Lynn Enestvedt and her son Austin (Fiance Evonne Womack) Enestvedt; thirteen great grandchildren; nephew Bill (Stephanie) Schulte; niece Brenda Vazquez; nephew Darian Schulte.

Verla is preceded in death by her husband Alan Enestvedt; her parents Earl and Idelle (Volstad) Hetle; mother and father-in-law Alfred and Edna (Samuelson) Enestvedt; sister and brother-in-law Linda and Doug Schulte; brother-in-law Dennis Enestvedt.

Velma Jay 85th Birthday Party

Velma Jay, the "button lady" at the little market down Hwy 83 to the west of Magnolia Park, celebrated her 85th birthday earlier this month with family, friends and fun. She and her late husband, Dick resided on Lime Street for many years. Her '50s themed party, featured root beer floats, poodle skirts, penny loafers, bobby sox, saddle oxfords and much more. Some pictures are included here. Velma totally enjoyed the party and shared memories from yesteryear with childhood and high school friends. (Some memories recalled here had been long forgotten in her 85 years.

(Thanks to Cheryl Raleigh for providing this information.)

 

Update on Don Harper

 I heard from Marty today and she told me Don has been home for about a week but he has sepsis. He is very weak, needs to drink more and eat more plus rest. Sepsis is very serious and I certainly hope the doctors are able to speed him on the road to a full recovery soon. They don't know how he got it but sepsis is a bacterial infection. Please keep Don, and Marty too, in your thoughts and prayers. 

Update on Don Harper

 I had a text from Marty today and as she said, what a difference a day makes. They threw all kinds of antibiotics at Don and he is very much improved today. He most likely will be able to go home in a day or so but it doesn't hurt to keep him in your thoughts and prayers! 

If anyone has other news to share, remember, just let me know and I would be happy to put it on the blog. There are lots of folks we haven't heard from or about, for several years and we do wonder about them.

Beautiful weather today here in Central Wisconsin but the heat is coming back for the weekend, nothing like Texas though right now where it has been exceedingly hot for quite a while now.

Hope all is well with all who still follow the blog!

Don Harper in hospital

 I received a text from Marty Harper this morning asking me to let you know that Don was airlifted to a hospital in Waterloo Iowa. His blood pressure had dropped dangerously low and they are asking for your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. They aren't quite sure why it's so low and are thinking perhaps an infection somewhere but at this time haven't figured it out. Please do keep Don and Marty in your thoughts and send some prayers their way.