Friday, January 30, 2015

• Quiet morning, high fog, calm, temp: 62, high: 73
• Diane took Jim to PT for his 9 AM appointment.
• Took a early afternoon nap.
• Went biking for 2 1/2 miles mid afternoon.
• I helped Jim fix the lights on Jan's golf cart.
• This evening we attended a Black & White dinner at the hall. Social hour was followed by a stuffed pork dinner. Ralph Kuster performed a Sinatra theme during both dinner and the 2 hour show following dinner. Enjoyable.
• After the dinner, we drive up to Harlingen airport to pick up Diane's sister who's staying with us for the next several days.
• Below are pictures from last night. First 2 are taken at the Texas Roadhouse where we had delicious steaks. The last 2 are taken at Candy & Dan's where we gathered for birthday cake and ice cream.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

• Quiet morning, with fog, calm, pleasant morning, temp: 58, high: 79
• 30 at men's breakfast at Taco Fiesta
• Late morning I made my daily 2 mile bike ride around the park.
• I went with Diane to H-E-B to buy a birthday card for my grandson, Garth, who turned 23 on Monday. Doesn't seem possible he's that old. Happy birthday, Garth. My card is on it's way.
• Had a quick lunch at Burger King.
• At 2 PM, temp is 76. Nice.
• At 3:30, we're invited to help celebrate Irene's birthday who is 88 at Texas Roadhouse. It was a delicious steak & a good time was had by all. I'll post pictures tomorrow.
• Dave called in the evening. He caught me up on all his family news. He's having health problems and can't seem to get much resolution out of VA. But he's workin' the problem.
• On January 16th, I made the following draft entry:
• After breakfast today, Jim & Diane, walked over to Irene's to take delivery on a purchase we made: Irene's golf cart. As she won't need it in her new home that she moves to on February 1st. So now Jim & Diane & Roger own a golf cart.
• Diane drove Jim to PT while I printed out the golf cart manual.
• On the E-Z-Go website, I registered our new golf cart and sent registration info to both Jim & Diane. 
• You may ask why we didn't post this on January 16. The reason: Jim & Diane wanted it be a surprise for the boys when they came down. So now that that is done . . .
• Below are pictures of our toys. We have 3 bicycles and a golf cart that I bought into with Jim.

The rear seat replaces golf bag holders. That's what we installed yesterday.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

• Calm, clear, starlit, cool, temp: 51, high: 83.
• Early this morning, Jim left with several others to attend a polka jam over in Mission. Ugh. Can't think of any thing worse than "polkas" in a "jam".
• Called Kath to resolve Sprint changes. Got an update on family news. Thanks, Kath.
• Missed the jam this week as we were busy installing a back seat on our new E-Z-Go golf cart that we purchased a couple weeks ago. Big job as shipment included no instructions.
• Took Jim to PT
• Evening's entertainer was Jason Whorlow, the piano man. He was entertaining & I enjoyed his show.
• Still don't have any pictures for y'all, but keep checking back. Today we plan on a photo shoot of the golf cart.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015 (Phoenix)

• All great things must end. And today, my visit to Margaret & Ron must end. Assuming my flight's on time, it departs at 12:11 PM. I arrive back in McAllen, TX about 6:11 PM.
• I thank Marg & Ron for wonderful memories of 6 very pleasant days in Phoenix in January of 2015. Their hospitality was fabulous, food was great, & reminiscing about old times was fun. Hope I can do it again.
• Both flights, Phoenix to Dallas, and Dallas to McAllen, departed on time and arrived early. 
• But flying sure feels like a cattle car. Extremely slow boarding and exiting.
• Good to sleep in my Texas room.
• I'll have to catch up on pictures tomorrow.

Monday, January 26, 2015 (Phoenix)

• Today is pack day & task cleanup day
• Failed to load printer driver on my Surface Pro 3 for Marg's 7 year old Dell 946 AIO printer. Ugh. Although I printed my Boarding Pass using Ron's computer with no trouble. Thanks, Ron.
• Took a morning nap which really felt good
• Watched as Marg did her weekly pool cleaning. (see picture below)
• Then we ran over to the store for a couple groceries.
• I called Dan who was in-transit from Reno to Denver to Minneapolis. Said his rail fan convention was educational & enjoyable.
• The picture below is a "selfie" just for Kathy.

• Pictures below were taken at Deer Valley airport where we had breakfast on Sunday.

Sunday, January 25, 2015 (Phoenix)

• Today is suppose to be even nicer than yesterday, and it was great. High today is to be 80.
• Since we took some great pictures yesterday, I'm going to publish today's blog and then update it as we go through the day, today, and add pictures & journal entries to it. So enjoy!
• This morning we drove up to the Deer Valley airport for breakfast & to watch planes landing and taking off.
• Then we drove South & East on the Red mountain freeway, loop 202, and saw Red mountain.
• Then we turned off on US 60 past Superstition mountain into the Salt River canyon.
• Next we drove past huge copper mines at Miami/Globe, stopping in Globe for ice cream.
• Then headed back East via AZ 188, past Roosevelt dam, lake, & reservoir. 
• Return home via US 87. Pinal mountains, part of McDowell mountains near Fountain Lake.
• Below are the pictures taken from South mountain as reported yesterday.

Saturday, January 24, 2015 (Phoenix)

• Today I'm still in Phoenix at Marg & Ron's. Looks to be another beautiful day. High: 76.
• This morning, Ron had to work til 11, so Marg & I drove to Lookout mountain where I took some of the pictures below, stopping by Sprout's on the way home to pick up a couple of groceries.
• This afternoon we drove down to South Mountain for a great view of the whole valley, although downtown Phoenix was behind the mountain. Then we toured the greater Phoenix area on our way home. Saw lots of preparations for the Super Bowl coming up next Sunday.
• This evening I'm taking Ron & Marg to Hacienda Mexican Grill for dinner, for putting up with me for these 6 days.
• Had a delicious Mexican dinner complete with Margaritas. And we had the waitress take our picture that I'll include tomorrow.
• Below is a picture of me taken in Marg's family room with her new Canon camera. I'm the guinea pig.

Yours truly

Sunset over Marg & Ron's house

• And here's a couple of pictures Dan & Dawn sent me near a mine south of Reno that they went on a train excursion to see yesterday

40 tons of dirt... $1,500 worth of gold & silver

Lunch stop

Marg & Sally overlooking a North valley

Marg with a North valley in the background

Friday, January 23, 2015 (Phoenix)

• Took Marg & Ron's dog, Sally, to Deer Valley Park for a walk - about 3 miles.
• Late morning, Marg & I drove up the rode about 5 miles to the Music Instrument Museum (M.I.M.) - an absolutely fabulous museum, very large. Covered everything from ancient instruments from Africa & Asia to Elvis to Leonard Bernstein. We were there for about 4 hours - returned absolutely pooped.
• Took a couple of neat pictures of the mountain peaks with Marg's silhouette. 

Marg with Camelback mountain 5 miles in the background

Marg with McDowell mountains 5 miles in the background

Spiral starwell at M.I.M. from second floor

Thursday, January 22, 2015 (Phoenix)

• Humid, high clouds, calm, warm, temp: 67, high: 71.
• Up at 5:30 to finish packing for trip to Phoenix.
• The trip to Phoenix just went smashingly well. The worst part of the trip, and it wasn't all that bad, was some turbulence we encountered just South of Dallas. 
• Marg was at the airport when I arrived. We drove to her very nice home in North Phoenix. Spent the whole afternoon visiting, so I'll take some pictures tomorrow to include. 
• Marg made Enchiladas in shells for supper that were simply delicious.
• As I said, I'll have some Arizona pictures tomorrow, but below are some more pictures from Dan & Dawn attending their rail fan convention in Reno.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

• Nice morning, high fog, breezy, warm, temp: 63, high: 76
• This morning, Jim went to a Polka Jam while Diane & I went to H-E-B to buy groceries.
• I watched a webinar on Windows 10, a Surface Hub, & Holographic Computing & was late to the Paradise Park Jam today.
• I did my 2 mile bike ride with temp at 76 while Diane took Jim to PT. He was warned not to wear his sling any more.
• Supper consisted of steaks at Dan & Candy's.
• Then we picked up Trevor & Seth at the McAllen Airport.
• Our regular Wednesday entertainer this week is John Sager. But we were picking up the boys, so we didn't go.
• Below are pictures Dan sent me of Reno NV where he & Dawn are attending a rail fan convention after spending several days with Mike & Mary at Lake Tahoe.

 If I remember, this is a chair lift from the city of South Lake Tahoe to the Heavenly Valley ski area.

 I think this is downtown South Lake Tahoe.

 Dan & Dawn waiting somewhere.

Mike & Mary waiting somewhere.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

• Cool, calm, clear, starlit morning, temp: 46, high: 81.
• Today I have a question for our Minnesota readers. "Why does 46 degrees feel so cool to us Winter Texans, but feels so warm to you Minnesota readers." Is it because our blood gets thin when we're down here for an extended period of time?
• Jim's arm is getting sorer, so this morning at 8 o'clock, he has an appointment with the doctor who will be calling the Minnesota surgeon to assess what to do next. 
• Jim came home with his sling off. The consensus was that he'd heal best without the sling. While his arm is weak, he's sure glad to be without that sling.
• In fact, he felt so good that he wanted to go play Mini golf when we got home. So J&D, D&C, and I played this morning at the Zone Action Park. Candy won with 5 hole in ones.
• After golfing, we all came home for a nap
• Later I went for my 2 mile bike ride; temp: 81 at 2PM
• Then Ruth had asked Jim to mount a new outside light for her. As his arm is still weak, I did the physical mounting taking detail directions from Jim.
• Beautiful day today. Bright sun, completely clear sky, calm, temp reached 83. Sure felt good.
• Below are some beautiful scenic pictures taken by Dan & Dawn as they toured Lake Tahoe with Mike & Mary. Thanks Dan, for sending those great shots.

Monday, January 19, 2015

• Another pleasant morning, calm, high clouds, temp: 55, high: 72.
• Had regular Monday breakfast with Canadian friends at Taco Fiesta. Had 11 this morning.
• Dan & Dawn made it to Reno this morning. I tracked them all the way through the mountains. Amtrak was on schedule. Hope they send me more pictures today.
• J&D and C&D drove up to Bertha's Salon to get their haircuts. I stayed home to research a project since I had one recently.
• Biked over to Dollar General to get something, stopping at Burger King on my way home for lunch
• I drove Jim to PT at 3 PM
• Got my 2 mile bike ride in at 4:30 on a lovely evening: clear, calm, bright sun, temp: 68. Perfecto!
• Here's some pictures from Dan sent from Reno. Thanks for the pictures, Dan & Dawn. Say hello from us to Mike & Mary.

Don't know who this belongs to nor the significance

Mike & Mary in the woods (probably near their Lake Tahoe home)

Mary & Mike (clowning)

Beautiful mountain peak

Sunday, January 18, 2015

• Pleasant morning: light breeze, high clouds, temp: 59, high: 69.
• Dan & Dawn are traveling by train on the California Zephyr to Reno to visit Mike & Mary and to attend a rail fan convention. They flew to Chicago early yesterday morning. This morning I'm tracking them coming into Denver and West.
• Jim & Diane attended the service this morning. Looks like a beautiful day.
• Bike ride: 2 miles
• Ran up to Walmart for printer cartridges.
• Napped.
• And I'm mostly packed for my trip to see Margaret in Phoenix. Now I've got 3 days to figure out what I forgot.
• Ice cream social at 5 o'clock. Everybody left to watch the end of the Green Bay vs Seattle overtime ending.
• Movie tonight is The Hundred-Foot Journey. More about it later.
• On their way to Reno, from the train, Dan and Dawn sent me several very interesting pictures.

This is the Denver Union Station

Scenery coming in Denver

Scenery nearer the mountains

Nearing Grand Junction CO

Along the Colorado River, West of Grand Junction,
nearing Utah

• a

Saturday, January 17, 2015

• Beautiful morning: completely clear, moonlit, calm, cool, temp: 45, high: 75.
• Pancake breakfast consisted of pancakes, sausages, grits, & fruit. Very good.
• Mid morning, we went to a craft sale at Tip Of Texas resort. Made a couple of other stops.
• We had a good lunch at Salad Plus.
• On a beautiful afternoon temp above 70, sunny, calm, I made my daily 2 mile bike ride.
• Otherwise, we loafed & worked around home all afternoon.
• This evening J&D and D&C are going to supper & Bingo at Pharr South.
• While I go to the 5:00 showing of the movie, The Imitation Game, the story of Alan Turing who invented the first computer that broke the Enigma machine that was instrumental in breaking the code of the World War II enemies. Turing established problem partitioning in the computer that is still used to this day. The movie was most enjoyable.
• I'll have to wait till tomorrow to know if we had any Bingo winners.
• G'night.

Friday, January 16, 2015

• Calm, moonlit, high clouds, cool morning, temp: 45, high: 63 (that's almost 10 degrees warmer than yesterday).
• Beautiful day today. At noon, temp is 60 and sun is shining bright with only light breeze.
• Mid afternoon, I finally got in my 2 mile bike ride for the first time in several days. Rain & cold kept off the bike.
• Late afternoon, we drove up to Pharr South for their fish fry. It was very good. Bingo followed.
• And to continue my Christmas parade of pictures, when Dan & Dawn were here over Christmas, they wanted to go view & photograph the Christmas lights at the Hidalgo Festival of Lights. But of course they had to do that after dark. So it was 9 or 10 o'clock when they'd leave. I was just too tired to go out that late. So I'd stay home. But they brought me lots of pictures, some of which are shown below. (These photos were also taken Christmas night.) Thanks Dan & Dawn for the great memories.